Barred from promotion, what happens now?

I really hate seeing stuff like this because it makes me feel like your NCO's and you have failed yourself. I never like seeing a soldier get forced out because of stuff like this. I can guarantee you your CSM doesn't like it either especially if you are a motivated soldier especially a grunt. I hope your COC still give you a shot I don't know the full regs but after being barred and you are given another shot at a board I would fully recommend you go full hoah and get guidance from past specialist you know that have passed the board.

You'll be reviewed at 90 and 180 days. After the second review you should be separated under any applicable section of 635-200. If none apply then you will ETS with a bar in place and receive an RE3 code.
AR 635-200 is your separation reference. AR 601-280 is your bar reference.

Couple of questions that come to my mind... How did you make it through the Soldier of the Month boards with a recommendation for the promotion board? How much time and effort did you put into practicing for the boards? What areas did you have problems with in the boards? Did anyone in your chain of command sit down with you and evaluate your score and the areas you had difficulties and a provide you with an action plan for studying? Did you request by chance? How much effort did your chain of command actually provide in your success? Are your efforts during the day in your job worthy of your command retaining you - how so, what makes you stand out?

You’re not barred from promotion. You’re barred from continuing service. You failed four boards which is almost unheard of unless you give 0 F$&@?! about getting promoted. Your commander will give you a 90 review. If you have done nothing to warrant him lifting the bar. He will then give you a 180 days bar review. If nothing has changed you will be processed for separation

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 SSG Carlos Madden SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
The NCOs should be able to answer this question.

Were you barred for reenlistment or from attending future boards?
In what aspect were you coming up short for promotion selection?
I am trying to understand your situation so I can give you more quality advise.
To answer your direct question, your RCP for E4 is 8 years, so you have a while.

Army Directive 2017-28 and
ALARACT 114/2017 are short references. See also, (AR 601-280 and AR 140-111).
Your counseling should address the bar and what other actions may be be under consideration, including a Chapter 13 if you fail to become qualified for promotion after 12 months of being barred if the commander believes you won't become eligible.
See AR 635-200 for information on Chapter 13.

I had a guy in my unit in a similar situation. He was told he would not be able to reenlist if he could not pass a board, long story short he reclassed to another MOS and got out from under the CoC that was giving him grief. Smart guy but when he got nervous he came off as arrogant and cocky the board made him nervous and he could not project the confidence needed to pass the board on at least 3 occasions.

I think you are being given some good feedback. If it were me, I would ask for an office call with the 1SG. Ask him to consider being a mentor to help you understand what you are missing on these boards.

My understanding is that currently the RCP (retention control point) for privates through privates first class is five years. The RCP for corporals and specialists are eight years of service. That being the case, I'm not sure that being chaptered for "failure to promote" would apply, since technically by that metric you would still have 4 more years to figure it out. Assuming that in spite of that, the bar is even valid, I would think you shouldn't be barred from reenlistment as long as you keep your act together and the 90/180 day reviews come out OK. I would suggest that you at least pose these questions to your BN reenlistment NCO and/or chain of command.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.