What is your opinion about Posthumous Promotions? Should they be routinely done?

2015-08-20T09:05:30-04:00

http://www.fayobserver.com/military/golden-knight-posthumously-promoted-funeral-in-ohio-on-saturday/article_085acc3d-68b3-5938-b9cd-0159002af7fe.html

Golden Knight posthumously promoted; funeral in Ohio on Saturday

Corey Hood, the Golden Knight parachutist who died in Chicago over the weekend, has been posthumously promoted to the rank of master sergeant, the Army announced Wednesday.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 20 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-08-20T09:11:30-04:00

Posthumous promotion is only ceremonial. It has no effects on benefits.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 20 at 2015 9:15 AM

2015-08-20T09:15:17-04:00

It depends on the circumstances.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Aug 20 at 2015 9:15 AM

2015-08-20T09:15:30-04:00

- Short answer. A posthumous promotion should only be done if it meets certain criteria that are already delineated.

- Long answer: I believe the posthumous promotion criteria include: Soldier is already promotable but not yet promoted (on a promotion list), the chain of command recommends posthumous promotion, and the Soldier was killed in the line of duty. A Soldier should not (and I believe will not) be posthumously promoted unless he/she meets the above criteria.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Aug 20 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-08-20T09:52:14-04:00

Promotions should be given when the member meets the criteria and deserves it. Not because it's "routine".

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Aug 20 at 2015 10:05 AM

2015-08-20T10:05:47-04:00

SGM Private RallyPoint Member For me this is an unqualified yes. I would add, that there should be an opportunity for Service Members who medically retire to be promoted as well, without regard to NCOES, placement in list, etc. Promoting a Service Member who is retired or made the ultimate sacrifice does not count against end strength and occupies no paragraph and line number. Just the right thing to do.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 20 at 2015 10:17 AM

2015-08-20T10:17:43-04:00

Seeking a point of clarification...when it comes to the survey answers; does the deceased service member really take up a slot if promoted after he/she dies? For example, if I was to given the rank of SSG following my death, would I have taken a slot not allowing someone still serving within my MOS a chance to be promoted?

As far as the actual thread, I echo what SSgt Alex Robinson stated, it depends on the situation.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Aug 20 at 2015 3:01 PM

2015-08-20T15:01:18-04:00

SGM Private RallyPoint Member - I think that posthumous promotions should be limited only to those who were on an official promotion list prior to their deaths.

As an aside that is similar to the topic, the military does try to do what is right with deceased service members and their families. The first example of this that I saw was back in 1976 or so, when I responded to a situation where a young soldier had attempted suicide. Although he was "brain dead" when he arrived at the hospital the Army worked overtime to get him medically retired before he died for the sole purpose of trying to ensure his dependents (he had a wife and small child) got better military benefits than they would have otherwise received. Watching that happen greatly impressed me with the Army and I was told that was "routine". If they can medically retire a soldier before declared dead, they do it (or, at least, they used to do it).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-08-21T17:03:07-04:00

May God be with his family in this tragic time. RIP MSGT. Corey Hood

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 5:06 PM

2015-08-21T17:06:16-04:00

RIP MSGT.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 21 at 2015 5:08 PM

2015-08-21T17:08:19-04:00

I extend my thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of this warrior! He died doing what he loved - serving his country with dignity, honor and respect. I am glad he was promoted, that was an act of class for him.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 21 at 2015 5:12 PM

2015-08-21T17:12:54-04:00

My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

As he was on the list for promotion, the Army had already determined he was capable, it was just waiting for the structure to support him. That issue is moot (through the most unfortunate way), and there is no reason not to immediately resolve it.

Response by SPC David Willis made Feb 6 at 2018 9:15 AM

2018-02-06T09:15:30-05:00

Its a small thing but no soldier should be buried with no rank on his sleeves. Had a few soldiers in my unit that got busted down to E1 on deployment for whatever reasons. If they had been killed, it doesn't matter what they did, they made the sacrifice and should be buried with at least E2 rank on his dress uniform.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 9:28 AM

2018-02-06T09:28:02-05:00

Does it really affect quotas? I have to admit I never heard of quotas until I spent time with an active component unit. Two things: 1. it shouldn't affect the quota so fix the system if it does 2. if the Soldier was going to be promoted anyway why not do it, not like it costs you anything personally.

Response by MAJ Michael Cummings made Feb 6 at 2018 9:29 AM

2018-02-06T09:29:37-05:00

I believe that each situation should be weighted and that it should not be a routine action.

I had the unfortunate opportunity to recommend one of my soldiers for a posthumous promotion to SGT E-5 after his untimely passing. I would have much rather had the soldier as he was a true leader. We served in Iraq together and shortly after our return to home station he passed due to an unfortunate accident. I found out about his passing when his mom called me and asked if I knew who/where she could get his uniform checked out to make sure everything was correct as he wanted to be buried in his uniform. I told her I would handle it and picked up his uniform from her. Long story short, I was able to push his promotion as well as a service award through in short order and he was buried as an NCO with his stripes on. There was no question in my, nor anyone in leaderships mind that he was a leader and deserved it. He was survived by his wife and newborn and I wanted his child to be able to talk about how his dad was a SGT in the Army.

That was 12 years ago and it still pains me when I think about the loss. What is ridiculous about it is the fact that I had a CSM ask me why I was doing it because the soldier had passed. I told him why not!? It is for his family and his legacy if for nothing else.

Response by MAJ Michael Cummings made Dec 16 at 2019 10:54 AM

2019-12-16T10:54:37-05:00

I think it is completely situational.

Also, for the 58% who think it helps with survivor benefits, maybe on AD but not traditional Res/NG.

I had a soldier that died shortly after we returned from deployment that was an amazing E4 and had a bright future in the military ahead of himself. I will not get into the details of his death other than saying that it was indirectly linked to his deployment and no it was not a suicide.

I took to the regs and had him promoted to E5. Not because of any benefits other than when his 1yo son grew up, he could say his dad was a SGT in the Army.

There is much much more to it than that but in his case, there was no question that he deserved the posthumous promotion.

The way I found out about everything was his mother brought his uniform to me and asked if we could check to make sure everything was correct and that her son always wanted to be buried in his uniform. He was buried in his uniform as an NCO. That is probably the one moment that I cherish most about my time in command.