Expert: Rod Powers - 1/2/2006

Question
I am an E-5 in the Army (Guard) serving in Iraq.  I have 10 yrs of service in USMC and Army.  I had a break in service and now have a degree in history. I have been told I can't get promoted to E-6 without PLDC. I have been serving in the capacity of squad leader for 6 months and am now a convoy commander which is an E-7 slot.  Is there any way to postpone this school and get promoted here in Iraq? What do Army regs say? Thanks  

Answer
Hi Richard,

You can be "conditionally promoted." The regulation which convers this is Army Regualation 600-8-19, dated 25 January 2005. You can view the regualtion online at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyreg/l/blar600819.htm

From the regulation:

1–27. Noncommissioned Officers Education System requirement for promotion and conditional promotion

a. Effective 1 October 1993, the Army linked Noncommissioned Officer Education System (NCOES) to promotion to SSG, SFC, and SGM. Linking the NCOES to promotion ensures noncommissioned officers (NCOs) possess the appropriate skills and knowledge required prior to assuming the duties and responsibilities of the next higher grade.

b. NCOES requirements for promotion. Soldier must be—

(1) PLDC graduate or equivalent for promotion to SGT.

(2) Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC) graduate for promotion to SSG.

(3) Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course (ANCOC) graduate for promotion to SFC.

(4) United States Army Sergeant Major Course (USASMC) graduate for promotion to SGM.

c. Conditional promotions.

(1) Soldiers selected for promotion to SSG, SFC and SGM will be conditionally promoted. Conditional promotion to SGT requires promotion authority approval.

(2) Conditional promotion to SGT through SFC will be for a period not to exceed 12 months. Soldiers enrolled in their appropriate NCOES course at the end of the 12–month timeframe will be allowed to complete the training and retain their promoted grade upon graduation. Exceptions to extend soldiers beyond the 12–month limit must be submitted by the promotion authority to Commander, HRC - Alexandria (AHRC–MSP–E), 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332–0443.

(3) Soldiers who fail to successfully complete, fail to remain eligible to be scheduled for or attend, who are denied enrollment in, or who do not attend their scheduled NCOES class (through fault of the soldier) will be administratively reduced and/or removed from the promotion list. The effective date of administrative reduction is the date of the action that caused the soldier to be ineligible to retain the promotion. The DOR will be the previous DOR held at the reduced grade. These soldiers must re-compete for promotion.

(4) Soldiers who have been reduced or removed from the promotion list as a result of failure to meet the NCOES requirement are ineligible for a future conditional promotion to the same grade.

(5) For conditionally promoted soldiers the following statement will be entered on the promotion instrument: “Soldier has not met the NCOES requirement and is promoted conditionally. If the soldier fails to successfully complete, fails to remain eligible for, is denied enrollment in, or does not attend his/her scheduled NCOES class (through fault of the soldier), then the soldier will be administratively reduced and must re-compete for promotion. Soldiers promoted to SGT through SFC have 12 months to meet this requirement.”

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at:  http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com