Since I made the E-5 list, can I wear the rank if I have my promotion orders and it’s on my SRB, or do I have to wait because of IPPS-A?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 19:43:21 -0500

This a question for senior NCOS so I made the list for E-5 and was supposed to be promoted on the first I know it was a 4 day and all but my leadership is saying I have to wait until the 9th because of IPPS-A being launched but I have my promotion orders and it’s on my SRB can I wear the rank? Or no?

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Jan 3 at 2023 7:55 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 19:55:44 -0500

I would wait for the ceremony on the 9th! If your orders say that your promotion is effective on the first of the month you have nothing to worry about! No worries!

Response by SSG Dale London made Jan 3 at 2023 8:43 PM

SSG Dale London — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 20:43:39 -0500

If I were you I would wait. It won't change your date of rank or your pay. However, pinning it on after having been told (ordered, really) to wait is a very bad idea.
What's the payoff versus the cost in the long run?
It's your choice but I know what I'd do.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2023 9:33 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:33:16 -0500

Can you wear the rank? Yes you can. However, I caution you to wait until the unit can hold a promotion formation for you. Commanders and 1SGs are kind of big on that thing. To put some food for thought on this, I just got my orders for MSG with a DOR of 1 Dec 22. I'll continue to wear SFC until this Friday when the Commander can pin me.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 3 at 2023 9:58 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:58:22 -0500

You’ve already been told to wait. Putting it on early isn’t worth the drama you are flirting with

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jan 4 at 2023 1:57 AM

SPC James Neidig — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 01:57:51 -0500

When I Was In The Guard, I Was Getting Paid As A SGT For 3 Months Before I Got Pinned.
It’s A Great Feeling When You Get Pinned And You Salute The CO And He Or She Shakes Your Hand And Says Congratulations.
With Today’s Velcro Ranks, You Won’t Bleed From The NCO Part Of The Pinning .

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 4 at 2023 5:43 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 05:43:16 -0500

You are an E5, you have been around the Army long enough to know their is a great deal of tradition, being promoted is a big deal. It is intended to tell the Command that you have taken that next step within the NCO Corp and the unit. Each Soldier now sees that you are a leader and are to be respected at the next level. It should also be a thing of pride, while it reflects all of you hard work, commitment and loyalty to your Soldier's and the Army.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 4 at 2023 11:50 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 11:50:36 -0500

I would and have waited for the promotion ceremony which involves the Commander, 1st sergeant, Your fellow unit members. at 3245th Security Police Squadron, Hanscom AFB, MA and in this picture the Director of Security Police for the Air Command a full Colonel came up from Andrews AFB, MD. He slid the rank insignia for SMSgt onto the left shoulder and My wife Joanne the right shoulder. This is all a part of Your memories that is worth waiting for and makes it all that more special. A major in our unit was also being promoted and He liked the way My wife was able to participate and asked if He could have His wife do the same thing and did. The ceremony was only for the two of us and there was food, drinks and social time also included. This was a lot better than just simply paper orders and made some memories that were all worthwhile in my opinion. The Major and I had served enlisted time together before also so We had a lot of service time together He did end up retiring many years later as a Full Colonel.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 4 at 2023 3:16 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 15:16:48 -0500

Back when I pinned SFC, I was away on TDY to my second AIT. Due to my unique position, my unit was actually located where I was TDY - so I was where my 1SG and CDR were. I let them know I had made the list, and they promoted me in formation on Friday afternoon. I showed up to school on Monday morning with the new rank.... and proceeded to get my ass chewed by the SCHOOLHOUSE 1SG for not letting him promote me. The fact that I had been promoted by my ACTUAL Commander and 1SG was completely irrelevant to him.

Now, all that happened was an ass-chewing . And, of course, I was on 1SG's naughty list. But as a SFC in a schoolhouse, I wasn't particularly concerned with that. Especially when I was leaving in a month and a half, anyway. But.... I still got my ass chewed and ended up on the naughty list, despite not actually doing anything wrong, just because he THOUGHT I had promoted myself.

So, do you really want that (well-deserved) ass chewing? Do you want to be on your 1SG's naughty list? I am guessing you won't have near the cover I did. And I am also guessing you'll have to deal with 1SG for quite a but longer than I did, too.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 6 at 2023 12:55 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 12:55:35 -0500

The worst way to start as an NCO, is to publicly down play the command. Wearing is not important- your new pay rate started 1/1. Just Chill