Army Qualitative Management Program

I feel the QMP/QSP process is severely flawed. This process is designed to target individuals with any kind of bad paperwork in their file to include NCOs who have been stellar their entire career but maybe had a personality conflict with the chain of command during one rating period. The process should be more defined to target the individuals that show a pattern of misconduct and repeat offenses. In recent years toxic leadership has been identified and while the Army has taken steps to remove these individuals From command, what is being done for the individuals whose careers that they may have destroyed? These individuals who may have suffered under the command of these toxic leaders are being forced out with everyone else as well. I have seen countless good NCOs who have the potential to lead the Army in the right direction get forced to retire because of one NCOER that was over 3 or mor years old. In a at least two cases that I have seen personally, the rater was separated due to the ruling of a Show for Cause board proceeding. There is no way anyone can justify the fairness of this process based off what I have seen in my experience. I am very glad I am retired because I don't think I could stand to watch these kinds of injustices occur any longer.

Program has been around for as long as I can remember while serving, '87-'13, and it was applied at various times to more than SFC and above, our Supply SGT in Korea was QMP'd as a SSG with around 15/16 or so years TIS back in '98. Never was used as much as it is being used now due to the ongoing drawdown.....all I can say is, do your job, take care of your Soldiers and watch your six.....

speaking as a SSG that is has a good chance of getting QMPed before I hit my 20 (I got over 15 so I ain't too worried) I can honestly say I see the need for it.

The Program has been around for a very long time; utilized to clean up the ranks, give younger Soldiers the opportunity to progress, and refine stagnant MOS's.

This is typical when the ARMY is coming out of conflict and wanting to thin the ranks. Part of the reason is that enlistment restrictions are loosened and now need to be tightened back up.

They have to utilize some standardization in order to find candidates for separation. Although it does not always seem fair to certain people there has to be a criteria. With that said it usually utilizes evaluation reports for the most part. The problem with these reports is that they tend to be inflated in either direction; if you are well received then the reports are great but if the individual has a conflict with the raters then the report is written sub par.

This dilemma has been recognized at top levels as evident by a briefing this past year where a certain high level CSM stated that the Boards were instructed to put more emphasis on 1059's versus evaluation reports.

Regardless of the method it is a necessary evil. I always stress to my Soldiers that they must have an exit plan at all times. That way when a draw down happens it is not a stressful event if you are on the list or cannot continue service for any reason.

I have even allowed myself to be in a precarious predicament with the draw down. Certain individuals within my Leadership at my previous assignment had a personal issue with me and targeted me to no end. Even with that I never lost motivation and actually implemented a civilian technical certification within my MOS as directed by President Obama.

The bottom line is that everyone should prepare themselves for life after the Military. Set yourself up for success and utilize the resources the Military gives you to succeed both in the service and civilian sector. Wishing everyone the best.

SFC Felix Burgos-Figueroa I think that there needs to be something to ensure that the right people are staying in and the ones that "messed-up promoted-up" or should not have been in to begin with are let go. I think that there are some that are being let go that should have been gone years ago. I know no system is perfect and that it will miss some and let go some good ones that some feel should stay in. This is just a process that I think will continue to be until we hit the numbers that we are supposed to be sitting at and are able to sustain them with the smaller budget that we will be given in the years to come.

Please do not confuse the Qualitative Management Program (QMP) with the Qualitative Service Program (QSP). They are two totally different types of separations.

You are QMPed when you have specific negative documents in your Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR formerly OMPF). When you are QMPed you are not entitled to any type of retirement if you are selected for separation prior to you having 17 years and 9 months time in service.

Please remember not all NCOs selected under this specific separation are bad NCOs. Everyone has a story as to why they were given bad paper which led to their selection. Please do not judge others when replying. Thanks.