Posted on May 15, 2023
Can a Commander deny a soldier's reenlistment without a Bar of Continued Service?
1.74K
21
13
0
0
0
I have a soldier who is trying to reenlist, SM has had some difficulty recently and is making good progress getting back into good graces. SM is a good soldier, very knowledgeable, and has the making of a good leader. The 1SG has expressed that he does not want the Soldier to reenlist, but there is no Bar of Continued Service. The SM has passed HT/WT and ACFT. Can the Commander deny the Soldier's Reenlistment without a BAR?
Posted in these groups: 
Punishment
Punishment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
3
3
0
Ultimately it's up to the commander, not the 1SG.
AR 601-280 14 April 2023 (so just recently updated)
e. If required, the commander will forward the Soldier’s request for continued service with the commander’s recommendation, through command channels to the first colonel or higher in the Soldier’s chain of command. Any commander who is a commissioned officer in the Soldier’s chain of command may stop the process for denial and approve the Soldier’s request. In cases where a Soldier’s commander believes it is not in the best interest of the Army for the Soldier to continue to serve, the commander will take one of the following actions:
(1) If a Soldier does not meet the retention eligibility criteria (see chap 3), the unit commander will disapprove the DA Form 3340, unless the Soldier is recommended for a waiver. Commanders should consider initiating a bar to continued service if the Soldier meets criteria for a bar to continued service (see chap 8).
(2) If a Soldier meets the retention eligibility criteria (see chap 3), but fits the bar to continued service
criteria (see chap 8), then the commander will initiate a bar to continued service (see chap 8 for approval authority).
(3) If a Soldier meets retention eligibility criteria (see chap 3), but the unit commander believes it is not in the best interest of the Army for the Soldier to continue to serve, the unit commander will forward the Soldier’s request for continued service through command channels to the first brigade-level commander or colonel (or higher) in the Soldier’s chain of command. This commander will review the Soldier’s request and the recommendation of the chain of command. If the recommendation is supported, the commander will provide their comments as an endorsement to the DA Form 3340, through the servicing career counselor to the Chief, Force Alignment Division, HRC. The Chief, Force Alignment Division, HRC may deny continued service to any Soldier who does not have a statutory entitlement to reenlist (see chap 4). Any commander who is a commissioned officer in the Soldier’s chain of command may stop the denial process and approve the Soldier’s request to reenlist or extend.
AR 601-280 14 April 2023 (so just recently updated)
e. If required, the commander will forward the Soldier’s request for continued service with the commander’s recommendation, through command channels to the first colonel or higher in the Soldier’s chain of command. Any commander who is a commissioned officer in the Soldier’s chain of command may stop the process for denial and approve the Soldier’s request. In cases where a Soldier’s commander believes it is not in the best interest of the Army for the Soldier to continue to serve, the commander will take one of the following actions:
(1) If a Soldier does not meet the retention eligibility criteria (see chap 3), the unit commander will disapprove the DA Form 3340, unless the Soldier is recommended for a waiver. Commanders should consider initiating a bar to continued service if the Soldier meets criteria for a bar to continued service (see chap 8).
(2) If a Soldier meets the retention eligibility criteria (see chap 3), but fits the bar to continued service
criteria (see chap 8), then the commander will initiate a bar to continued service (see chap 8 for approval authority).
(3) If a Soldier meets retention eligibility criteria (see chap 3), but the unit commander believes it is not in the best interest of the Army for the Soldier to continue to serve, the unit commander will forward the Soldier’s request for continued service through command channels to the first brigade-level commander or colonel (or higher) in the Soldier’s chain of command. This commander will review the Soldier’s request and the recommendation of the chain of command. If the recommendation is supported, the commander will provide their comments as an endorsement to the DA Form 3340, through the servicing career counselor to the Chief, Force Alignment Division, HRC. The Chief, Force Alignment Division, HRC may deny continued service to any Soldier who does not have a statutory entitlement to reenlist (see chap 4). Any commander who is a commissioned officer in the Soldier’s chain of command may stop the denial process and approve the Soldier’s request to reenlist or extend.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
I had a Good Soldier not reenlist because he didn't want the commander at his ceremony and the commander wouldn't sign off on it if he couldn't be there.
(3)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
CSM Chuck Stafford The Soldier got out and the Company Commander went on in the Army and continued to have similar attitude and was rewarded with a Battalion Command.
(2)
(0)
CSM Chuck Stafford
LTC (Join to see) - As they said at the welcome to USASMA briefing -- look to your left and look to your right -- some of you are the bottom 10% of the class...I hope the BC plateaued and left the service -- narcissism and ego are toxic to strong teams
(0)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
I know he never took a Brigade. I'm sure he did more damage along his career. I did let one of his NCOs at his next job vent to me for an hour about his experience working for him, so I know it wasn't an isolated incident.
(1)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
It's that's not a red flag about that officer/commander then I don't know what is.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Yes, however that’s a little odd. Have you and the platoon leadership put in your support to the Command. If so and you are willing to fall on your sword for the Soldier ask for an open door with the Bn Leadership. If the Co and 1SG are out of line and you can show the Soldiers progress they may get involved and fix it.
All to often junior leaders are afraid to approaching leadership and even challenging them. Right is right.
All to often junior leaders are afraid to approaching leadership and even challenging them. Right is right.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google