In your own opinion, how will COVID-19 affect promotions?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 23:28:37 -0500

Good morning.

As we all know, the ongoing pandemic changes everything in our current world; from timelines, to the way humans interact, virtual meetings, etc. After speaking with several other service members, there seems to be a few different opinions on how COVID-19 will affect promotions. Will HQDA (or whatever your respective entity is) delay promotions? Forgive certain self development schools? Allow the force to be undermanned in certain ranks?

What is your opinion on how COVID-19 will affect the majority of people's careers? And a follow up would be, how can we mitigate these things (to the best of our abilities) so that we don't get "stuck," per say?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2021 11:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 23:41:08 -0500

Got promoted during COVID. Got an NCOES date during COVID. It may hinder some stuff, but it won't stop it.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Jan 5 at 2021 12:12 AM

GySgt Gary Cordeiro — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 00:12:52 -0500

It should not make a dent in the process. If there are weaknesses exposed, it should be immediately corrected.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2021 2:11 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 02:11:45 -0500

COVID should not hinder anything. What it is doing is changing the route in which things are done. Hence why some PMEs have already switched to virtual classes. Until everything is under control, I suspect damn near every PME will have a virtual option to maximize participation. I'm thinking that there will still be Resident PMEs, but that personnel attending will be kept at bare minimum. Same with Promotion Boards. They are still happening, just depends on how they are being conducted.

Basically, COVID put a mine field out with triple strand concertina wire in front and a tank ditch in front of that. We are just merely outflanking the obstacles and finding an alternate route.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2021 8:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 08:24:03 -0500

I went through VBLC during Covid and was promoted as well. Although I would have like it all to come sooner, it was still well within an acceptable career timeline. I think MSG Private RallyPoint Member said it very well in his response. The Army's need are not changing, just the path we get there.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2021 11:32 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:32:34 -0500

If anything, depending on your unit of course, promotions will be easier. I will be the first to say that getting my 5 was incredibly relaxed. BLC was all online; actually went to the academy in person only three times. Promotion boards were paper, no standing before a board in person. However, that was towards the beginning of when this all started. I think units are slowly beginning to return to normal procedures.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jan 5 at 2021 1:18 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 13:18:15 -0500

I haven't seen it affect promotions in the Army at all.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jan 6 at 2021 12:17 PM

SFC William Farrell — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 12:17:57 -0500

I've been out too long to offer any opinion on this SSG Private RallyPoint Member but I hope you get promoted when ready.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jan 6 at 2021 4:30 PM

MAJ Ron Peery — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 16:30:19 -0500

British officers in the 18th and 19th century used to toast "Bloody wars and sickly seasons." Both open up opportunities for promotion more rapidly than peacetime. I wouldn't worry too much about what effect COVID will have on your careers. Just keep your focus and you'll do well.