Posted on Aug 20, 2015
What is your opinion about Posthumous Promotions? Should they be routinely done?
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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.
As far as the actual thread, I echo what SSgt Alex Robinson stated, it depends on the situation.
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CMSgt James Nolan
SGT Ben Keen I am 100% on the answer being no (but I have absolutely been known to assert something and then take it as fact). There is no detriment to "big military" in a posthumous promotion. And I am in agreement with most, it should be situationally weighed. My guess is that in cases where it is done, the troop was exceptional, or the command would not have initiated the process. More of a familial benefit-a way to honor the family.
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SGT Ben Keen
CMSgt James Nolan - Thanks for taking the time to comment back. I didn't think it would take up a slot but again, since I'm not a complete expert in such matters I figured I would ask.
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SGM Steve Wettstein
SGT Ben Keen - In order for someone to be posthumously promoted they would already have to be on a promotion list or be promotable (SPC-SGT).
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SGM Bill Frazer
1. Not a whole lot of choice in the survey. 2. It should be case by case. 3. Was he promotable and or on the promotion list?, That normally is the reason for the posthumous promotion. 4. It does not COUNT on the numbers list, because the minute you promote him, he's dead and gone off the number count.
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SGM (Join to see) - 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).
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).
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SGM (Join to see) 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.
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