What is "Frocking?"

SGT Rodger Armstrong — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 10:52:59 -0500

So I've been out for over a year. And random questions pop up in my head.
Frocking what exactly is it. From my understanding it's allows an e7 to put on the diamond for command portion as a1SG. along the lines of that correct?
Does a frockie always guaranteed to be promoted. Or is it away for the army to get more out of you for less pay.

I'm not trying to offend but being a young buck SGT when I got out I always wonder.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 10:57 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 10:57:43 -0500

It's a little more than that. First, the person must be promotable to the rank they are being frocked to. Then, they must be in a position that would require that rank (e.g. SFC (P) serving as a 1SG). I am not sure on the exact approval for it, but that is the basis for it.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 11:02 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 11:02:55 -0500

In the Navy all new Chief Petty Officers (E-7) get frocked at a certain time of year then their actual date of rank will be at different times after that.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Nov 22 at 2014 11:10 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 11:10:43 -0500

Frocked NCOs are already promotable (promotion guaranteed, unless the NCO messes up)...it allows for the NCO to wear the rank while awaiting for their sequence number to be announced, normally within 12-months..

Frocking can be found in AR 614-200 -

SGM -
Soldiers selected for attendance to the United States Army Sergeants Major Course (USASMC) for the purpose of promotion to SGM may be frocked to SGM upon graduation of resident USASMC. Frocking approval authority is the CG, HRC. Frocking is a means to support initial assignment upon completion of the USASMC.

1SG -
Frocking of sergeant first class promotable to first sergeant -
a. Sergeants first class (P) who are assigned to an authorized 1SG position may wear the grade of 1SG.
b. Commanders (LTC and above) may authorize and approve frocking of SFC(P) to be assigned as 1SG within their command.
c. Frocking will not be approved to provide an interim fill for a 1SG position.
d. Frocking will not be accomplished until assumption of duties as a 1SG.
e. Identification cards, official records (ERB) will not be changed to show a frocked grade.
f. Frocking may be announced by using an informal memorandum.
g. Soldiers who have been frocked as 1SG, subsequently promoted to MSG, and reassigned will retain the grade of 1SG or be laterally appointed to MSG.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Nov 22 at 2014 11:14 AM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 11:14:18 -0500

Everyone in the Navy who promotes to E-4 and above are froked to there. You hold your your rank and all responsibilities but are not entitled to pay or allowances till your advancement date wich could be up to a year. The only way you dont have to wait for your pay or allowances is to be meritoriously advanced.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Nov 22 at 2014 11:29 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 11:29:18 -0500

Big Blue doesn't frock enlisted.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 9:56 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 21:56:28 -0500

SGT Rodger Armstrong, I was frocked to SGT when I was a promotable SP4. My 1SG did that for me because I was serving as a Team Leader and that was an E-5 position. So, for a few months, I was an E-4, frocked to SGT, and filling an E-5 slot.

I never thought of it as getting more out of me for less. I thought of it as an honor - to be a SGT, to be addressed as Sergeant, before I actually was promoted.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 10:40 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 10:40:50 -0500

You don't know what it is? What the frock is going on around here? J/K.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 6:12 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:12:17 -0500

Sometimes, in the part time components, a soldier will be frocked because of some special circumstance that makes a promotion ceremony more valuable. I can think of a couple examples from my experience.

During an AT (annual training) at Fort Dix, we had an opportunity to travel to the WTC site for a VIP access to the construction zone and to get a tour of the harbor through the Army Corps of Engineers. The then Chief of Engineers (don't remember the General's name) was present and wanted to do a promotion ceremony. The SGT was frocked with SSG rank about 2 months early.

I have also seen frocking to work around visiting family member's schedule.

Granted this is a different "type" of frocking then using the tool to put a promotable E7 into a 1SG slot.

Response by PO1 Ron Clark made Nov 24 at 2014 12:51 PM

PO1 Ron Clark — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:51:51 -0500

I dont know about other branches of the military however, in the Navy, when you get the advancement results back to your unit, the Captain or CO has the authority to grant the individual who got promoted the opportunity to go ahead and wear the stripe/chevron/anchor the were being tested for ahead of the official promotion date in a frocking ceremony. The individual will not receive the pay or allowances until the official promotion date, but it lets the individual actually wear the rank.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jan 28 at 2015 9:52 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:52:27 -0500

"What is Frocking?"

Well....you see....when a rank and a pay grade have just too much love for each other, they get married, and then they frock until the stork brings a rank without a pay grade.