What is the proper use of the "(P)" promotable after one's rank?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 18:40:31 -0500

What is the proper use of the "(P)" promotable after one's rank? I think it is most often being used incorrectly. I think folks are using it when they meet the conditions for promotion, but really are not on a promotion list waiting for a slot to be moved into to accept the grade/rank.

I recall being told in BOLC (correspondence instruction), that (P) should only really be used in the cases where the position the officer is in is for a rank above his/her's but the (P) effectively means they have that required authority to execute the duties of the position.

For instance, while as a Sr.Rater that was a 1LT at the time, all my comments had to be checked by a reviewer that was a CPT+, with the exception if I was 1LT(P).

So where I am going with this is I see it being used a lot at the lower ranks LT's and SGTs. But in those situations one doesn't even know they are on a promotion list long enough to merit using (P) before POOF they literally are promoted.

When I got SGT, POOF I just got orders. My name wasn't floating around on a list. When I got 1LT POOF I just got orders and there wasn't a list floating around.

When I got CPT, yes, there was a list, but it only took about a month to get the promotion order. So it was a really narrow period of time I would "correspond" with (P).

I do understand MAJ+ using (P) because I have seen those positions in limbo before they land somewhere they can accept the grade.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 18 at 2021 7:08 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 19:08:16 -0500

Generally when someone is serving in a higher position than one's grade.
Example: When I was in a Detachment Sergeant position as a SSG, it was recommended that I use the (P) in my signature block since my cohort was all senior to me, to indicate that peerage was present and pending.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 18 at 2021 9:21 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:21:33 -0500

For evaluation purposes, I would refer to AR623-3.

The only other time I remember it ever being a "thing" was when signing memoranda. Since no one really writes memoranda near as much (the one page memorandum was the email of the 80s and early 90s).

Back in the day, you had to send orders and memoranda for companies to do things. Twice a day, companies went to the S1 and picked up their taskings, orders, and memoranda from the HQ. The staff had to carefully screen what they sent, what they did themselves on Company behalf, and what they tasked. You had to focus on weekly and monthly reporting requirements and windows for information. Now Command and staff just blast email broadsides all day.

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Jan 18 at 2021 9:23 PM

CPT Enrique M. — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:23:55 -0500

I see different responses all over the place. But what I thought Promotable meant is that you are boarded and selected but awaiting final orders for promotion. For the guys at the guard, that would be that you are fed rec but waiting for the state to push the button for promotion.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 9:50 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:50:50 -0500

I see a lot of people on RP forgetting to take it off after they change their rank in their profile.
But I've always seen the (P) as you have been chosen for promotion and are awaiting the orders. E4/E5 passed the board and are waiting points, E6 and up - chosen by board and awaiting number etc...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 10:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 22:14:55 -0500

Pvt (P). Still a private.

Regardless of rank you are still that rank.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 11:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 23:33:13 -0500

SPC/CPL and SGT are promotable once they appear before a promotion board and are selected. They're not actually selected for promotion and depending on the MOS and promotion points they may end up being promotable for a decade or longer. Below E4 are never promotable, they are simply asldvanced the same as WO1 and 2LT. At SSG and above they are actually selected by a list.

As for you actual point you're getting at, the Army stance is that it's never used except when it's important, as you pointed out. It's never supposed to be used in correspondence except it absolutely pertains to the position. For instance, a SFC(P) filling a 1SG position (although they ould usually be frocked anyway).

That's for AD, I don't know enough about RC promotions to speak on that

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Jan 19 at 2021 1:33 AM

COL Jeff Williams — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 01:33:46 -0500

Honestly, never used it.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 19 at 2021 1:35 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 01:35:12 -0500

I always thought the (P) was better than the (Sel) in the Navy as we'd use the higher rank. It was never used in official correspondence but was an honorific mentioned at quarters, sometimes preferably to the embarrassment of the target SM. "Let's hear a group barf for LT Select Whoever"! We also had a practice called Frocking, where the higher rank was pinned on if you were in the higher ranked billet. Of course everything that mattered, i.e. pay and NJP authority didn't come until the official promotion date. I was never Frocked as, when I would have been otherwise eligible, it wasn't in favor. It comes and goes. Then we had the Boot (most junior) and Bull (most senior) Ensign O-1. The Boot had to carry a polished boot (usually concrete filled) around while the Bull had a full size Bull Bar on their collar.

Response by LTC Barry Hull made Jan 19 at 2021 9:45 AM

LTC Barry Hull — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 09:45:35 -0500

It makes the person feel just a little superior. Don't lose sleep over it. It means nothing.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 19 at 2021 12:28 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 12:28:57 -0500

The (P) seems to have come into the Services during a period of slow promotion rates during the Clinton years. Sometimes it took over 18 months to exhaust a promotion list. Officers started using the (P) to show they were on the list. It was useful when they were assigned a position requiring the next higher grade, which they might not put on for nearly a year. Especially helpful in senior staff jobs where Colonel-only meetings are held. A lowly LTC wasn’t welcome regardless of position, but a LTC(P) was admitted. Since the (P) was cool and added to one’s status it was adopted up and down the rank structure across all services and eventually regulated.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2021 12:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 12:52:38 -0500

IAW AR 623-3, "A promotable officer or NCO (signified on the OER and NCOER by placing a “P” after the current rank) is one who is on a promotion list (or selected for attendance to USASMA) and is currently serving in a position authorized for the next higher rank or grade."

Promotable does affect how an evaluation will be conducted. Check out Table 2-1 of AR 623-3.

Response by Wayne Soares made Jan 19 at 2021 6:42 PM

Wayne Soares — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 18:42:03 -0500

Thanks for the question Captain Lesher

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2021 12:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 00:25:24 -0500

Good morning Sir. I never used the word promotable after a person rank despite if they were on the list no matter enlisted or officer. Some people take the promotable word to the extreme. Like someone told me back in the day before I joined, (P) doesn't mean promotable, it means (P) Possibility. Guess what happens if you fail APFT, get a DUI, fail NCOES, fail HT/WT, etc?? That (P)ossibility of being promoted to the next rank is gone out the window. Once a person is actually pinned the next rank, I will refer to them as such, but if not, I will address by current rank.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2021 12:34 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 00:34:02 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, All of the answers you've gotten are correct, including for the Reserve Component. As you review NCOERs and OERs, you will undoubtedly encounter these, and you'll have to coach those Soldiers that they're not promotable.

From AR 623-3, Table 2-1:
1 A promotable officer or NCO (signified on the OER and NCOER by placing a “P” after the current rank) is one who is on a promotion list (or selected for attendance to USASMA) and is currently serving in a position authorized for the next higher rank or grade. (See para 2–11 for ARNG-specific requirements.)

Response by CW4 Scott Hyde made Jan 20 at 2021 2:44 AM

CW4 Scott Hyde — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 02:44:47 -0500

You’d think they’d have a regulation that covered this. Maybe something like preparing and managing correspondence or something. It would settle all these debates and stuff.

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Jan 11 at 2022 5:09 PM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 17:09:27 -0500

I think doing this at all is <eyeroll>, however it makes some sense for Majors close to Lt Col and a command selection, and perhaps for the senior-most NCO rank before StaffNCO selection.