Is knowing who is on the promotion list a 'sensitive item'?

2021-04-13T14:41:48-04:00

A SPC I know was moved to the orderly two months ago, she was given negative counsel along with her initial counsel today for telling a soldier that he was getting promoted. The soldier was not aware that it was a sensitive item.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 13 at 2021 3:02 PM

2021-04-13T15:02:40-04:00

Giving a friend a heads up about their promotion is a tradition as old as chevrons themselves. Leaking promotion list details to friends wouldn't be releasing what I would consider SBU but it is technically prohibited by most policies as it isn't "real" until formerly released.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2021 3:14 PM

2021-04-13T15:14:55-04:00

A counseling is not an admonishment or reprimand it's just a written statement of discussion. It doesn't mean someone is right or wrong and anyone can write a counseling saying anything.

It's not a sensitive item. Promotion information is pretty public and open. The Soldier should be told at the end of the board if they're recommended, plus they're ERB says they're promotable. If it's someone below E4 then the automatic promotion times are in the regulation. If it's someone who is receiving a waiver, it's still not secret and the Soldier should have been informed by their leaders they are getting the waivers this month.

Point is, counseling doesn't mean anything specific. You can't give someone UCMJ just because they're counseled

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2021 3:45 PM

2021-04-13T15:45:47-04:00

Promo boards follow stringent guidelines throughout the process. Once the authority approves the list, it is published. It becomes public knowledge after that. If she leaked it through some means and before the release, she may have to answer for it.

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 13 at 2021 4:19 PM

2021-04-13T16:19:06-04:00

Premature disclosure of PSB (promotion selection boards) results, except as expressly approved by the SECARMY, is "prohibited". Recipients are advised to retain the board results as “close hold” information until the official established release date. The official release date is announced in an Army wide MILPER message. Maybe this has something to do with troop strength/mission capabilities or time needed to notify those that are not getting promoted - thinking mainly O5 and below however not sure why its is hold close information as it is not considered classified.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Apr 13 at 2021 4:30 PM

2021-04-13T16:30:31-04:00

That sounds like a dumb reason for a counseling honestly.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 14 at 2021 1:43 AM

2021-04-14T01:43:32-04:00

Really look at LTC Mackay's comment. He pointed out that knowing the non-selects gives time for the local CoC to ease the pain. There's more to it. The Command has to figure out what they're doing with the selects and non-selects as well. This body shopping exercise is to figure out where best to place people. Doing great? Where do we target your next more challenging position? Non Select? Where do we put you to reduce the opportunity for harm or in a spotlight because we believe you're likely to do well next time, if given the chance? The Senior NCO's take a good lead on the junior ENL while I always had the OPS O and XO figure things out to my stated standards and bring the brief in. Leg wrestling allowed. That said, the worse thing is to have a list out there, weeks pass, and nobody has a clue about anything. Seen that happen and the preordained drop in morale along with it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 15 at 2021 1:25 PM

2021-04-15T13:25:15-04:00

Regardless of the level, it is not that Soldiers place to tell anyone anything about what goes through their hands in the orderly room. That is specifically for the Commander and 1SG. Having said that, the Soldier should have been briefed of the ins and outs of being a clerk.