Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 4/27/2010

Question
I was an E7 DOR 5/27/2009 in the ARNG.  On 3/24/10 I completed a conditional release with a contract entering the USAR as an E7.  On 4/9/10 the ARNG did the administrative reduction IAW AR 600-8-19 Para 7-8 effective date 3/23/10.  As of today 4/26/10 I am an E6 in the USAR.  
How do I get my 7 back?  Doesn't a new contract supersede a reduction order with an earlier effective date?

Answer
Wow. You take the prize for tough question of the week. I've talked to my personnel specialists here at BDE and BN level and none can come up with an answer that seems right. My take is that you need to look at the language of the contract you signed. Does it say 'ARNG Rank' or does it say E7? If the contract you signed upon entry to the USAR says specifically that you are to be an E7 and you're not they would seem to be in violation of that and I would file a complaint with your local IG and your career counselor. If your contract says something like 'at NG Rank' then you would probably need to appeal your administrative reduction in order to get your E7 back.
You could also go talk to your IG on an informal basis and ask them to check into the regulation for you. They may have a firmer grasp on the intricacies of NG/AR promitions since they're not quite the same as Active Duty.