Posted on Jul 7, 2022
Do I have to complete another command cycle after re-branching from LG to EN to be eligible for EN Major?
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My chain of command had recommended that I do a branch transfer from LG to EN given my performance and civilian construction experience. I recently completed company command for the BN FSC and did well. A few of my colleagues have mentioned that I would have to go through another company command as an EN Captain to be eligible for Major through the EN branch. I’ve spoken to our S1 about this and they are giving me mixed answers as well. Where can I find out if another company command is required or not? What are some others’ experiences with this?
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Posted 3 y ago
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As much as Company Command time is emphasized, I can't find any regulation that states that it is a requirement to promote to Major. Now having done the same transfer to the Engineers as a 1LT, I can tell you that the Company time and Company Command allowed me to learn my job beyond what is now CCC.
Have you asked your Branch Manager that question?
Have you asked your Branch Manager that question?
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CPT (Join to see)
All I can offer is a mirror of CPT Cable's info.
There is no regulation that you need Command time for MAJ. What is in the regulation is KEY DEVELOPMENTAL POSITIONS, but the reg only states what KDP's are for each Branch. The reg doesn't say that a KDP is needed for promotion.
QM for instance Command is the ONLY KDP. Other branches have multiple KDP's.
So I recommend looking up the KDP reg and in the Engineering section find out what those Positions are. Maybe a Command would be worth more brownie points, but a KDP position would be worth significant weight too.
Command time probably gets more credit that it's due because it's probably the universal KDP. A KDP is a KDP.
Now.......... for example............ for my Branch QM/LG having knocked out a KDP (which happens to ONLY be Command) only provides one the opportunity submit a packet below the zone. That doesn't mean one will get picked any sooner or over anyone else.
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I suppose it's always good to pursue a challenging career with diversified career assignments, and constantly trying to improve yourself through official training and mentorship. At the end of the day it all comes down to the needs of the Army and the relative pool of applicants the Army has to fill those needs.
Yes, running yourself into the ground taking Command slots will make you competitive.
Will you need it? Who knows. You probably wouldn't if you had stayed in LG.
If I were you I'd look up your state's vacancies and see where the opportunities are to get a better feel if you are going into a competitive situation or not.
There is no regulation that you need Command time for MAJ. What is in the regulation is KEY DEVELOPMENTAL POSITIONS, but the reg only states what KDP's are for each Branch. The reg doesn't say that a KDP is needed for promotion.
QM for instance Command is the ONLY KDP. Other branches have multiple KDP's.
So I recommend looking up the KDP reg and in the Engineering section find out what those Positions are. Maybe a Command would be worth more brownie points, but a KDP position would be worth significant weight too.
Command time probably gets more credit that it's due because it's probably the universal KDP. A KDP is a KDP.
Now.......... for example............ for my Branch QM/LG having knocked out a KDP (which happens to ONLY be Command) only provides one the opportunity submit a packet below the zone. That doesn't mean one will get picked any sooner or over anyone else.
**********
I suppose it's always good to pursue a challenging career with diversified career assignments, and constantly trying to improve yourself through official training and mentorship. At the end of the day it all comes down to the needs of the Army and the relative pool of applicants the Army has to fill those needs.
Yes, running yourself into the ground taking Command slots will make you competitive.
Will you need it? Who knows. You probably wouldn't if you had stayed in LG.
If I were you I'd look up your state's vacancies and see where the opportunities are to get a better feel if you are going into a competitive situation or not.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT (Join to see) - I understand that point, being in Cpt Rosa's Infantry before I branched Transfer. Even if you look at the one for Infantry, the KD for Company Command covers about everything from Line Company to TRADOC. This officer already has Company Command time and I know Armor and Engineer Officers commanding Infantry Task Forces that did not go back to pick up an Infantry Company Command. The other thing is that most Major positions are Staff and a whole bunch are Branch Immaterial. Being an Engineer Company Commander didn't do a lot to prepare me for S1, but you had to be an Engineer to do Assistant Brigade Engineer (Brigade Engineer is officially the BNCO). OTOH, Infantry experience enlist, as PL and DetCo as an advantage in that position since I talked maneuver a lot better than most Engineer at that time.
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CPT (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable - My command time ended up sucking a lot of life out of me. If you have a problem free one I would caution about the potential next one.
In the end, I don't think Command or not is going to change how far in your USAR/NG career you can go. Stepping into those positions needs to be a calculated risk, and you need to be in a position to control your risks.
Also, does the Key Development Position regulation specify the command has to be in your Branch. Wouldn't Branch immaterial commands count, so why wouldn't your LG command count?
I guess what I'm saying is you're getting a lot of information. It is coming from all directions, and it's very hard to verify any of it, and who has the correct information you need anyway.
I was curious about my situation. My Command was done as a 1LT, and COL's were swearing up and down to me that would count.
I reached out to the Branch Careers Office for LG and they said NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!! LT command time does not count. I read the KDP regulation and that's correct, the wording says the KDP for a QM CPT is command. It doesn't say it for a LT, nor does the wording say soldier or officer, it says "CPT". CPT's need to complete X months of rated time in command to complete KDP for QM CPT.
Now.......... that said.......... AT BEST having a KDP out of the way would only allow me to submit a promotion packet below the zone. I recall that per the reg only 5% of candidates can even be selected for below the zone (regardless of the quality of candidate pool). It's very unlikely command would get me to MAJ sooner anyway. Nor is not having command a road block.
So what I am saying is trying to knock out a KDP through a potentially career risky and life sucking command is a very disproportionate risk/reward equation.
In my situation I intend to provide a Letter to the Board President annotating my command time, and my high marks during that time, etc.........
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At the end of the day, we need to figure out how to get in the minds of those on the board selection committees. Their opinion and regulation interoperation is what ultimately matters.
In the end, I don't think Command or not is going to change how far in your USAR/NG career you can go. Stepping into those positions needs to be a calculated risk, and you need to be in a position to control your risks.
Also, does the Key Development Position regulation specify the command has to be in your Branch. Wouldn't Branch immaterial commands count, so why wouldn't your LG command count?
I guess what I'm saying is you're getting a lot of information. It is coming from all directions, and it's very hard to verify any of it, and who has the correct information you need anyway.
I was curious about my situation. My Command was done as a 1LT, and COL's were swearing up and down to me that would count.
I reached out to the Branch Careers Office for LG and they said NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!! LT command time does not count. I read the KDP regulation and that's correct, the wording says the KDP for a QM CPT is command. It doesn't say it for a LT, nor does the wording say soldier or officer, it says "CPT". CPT's need to complete X months of rated time in command to complete KDP for QM CPT.
Now.......... that said.......... AT BEST having a KDP out of the way would only allow me to submit a promotion packet below the zone. I recall that per the reg only 5% of candidates can even be selected for below the zone (regardless of the quality of candidate pool). It's very unlikely command would get me to MAJ sooner anyway. Nor is not having command a road block.
So what I am saying is trying to knock out a KDP through a potentially career risky and life sucking command is a very disproportionate risk/reward equation.
In my situation I intend to provide a Letter to the Board President annotating my command time, and my high marks during that time, etc.........
************
At the end of the day, we need to figure out how to get in the minds of those on the board selection committees. Their opinion and regulation interoperation is what ultimately matters.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT (Join to see) - My Command time was not trouble free. The BNCO handed me one of the trouble company's and I had my share of difficulties, including a bad Change of Command Inventory because of one Motor Sergeant. In general, I still found it a rewarding position and I had managed to correct most of the Company's deficiencies. Not all, but the new Commander wasn't walking into a bear trap either.
I came out of the troop units just as I was approaching the Major list because of some family issues. I already had all the boxes checked and there were quite a few Major slots for Engineers in Kentucky, I'm pretty confident I would have promoted if I had stayed.
I came out of the troop units just as I was approaching the Major list because of some family issues. I already had all the boxes checked and there were quite a few Major slots for Engineers in Kentucky, I'm pretty confident I would have promoted if I had stayed.
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Do you HAVE to..No. Should you...maybe. I never had platoon time and got promoted. I know of other Majors that never had command time and got promoted. There is no offical checklist that you have to do at each rank to be promoted. There are positions, assignment, and extra duties that you can do to be more competitive among your peers.
A good majority of NG CPTS transition to the USAR because of the lack of opportunities as you move up. Look at your state, the units, and the MTOEs to determine where you can go or it you need to move out of state.
A good majority of NG CPTS transition to the USAR because of the lack of opportunities as you move up. Look at your state, the units, and the MTOEs to determine where you can go or it you need to move out of state.
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It's the National Guard. It has a different set of rules there. In the RA we have to take a FORSCOM command for it to count. If you are not infantry just about any command counts. You need to as those in your state what they look for.
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The problem you will run into is that you would not be as competitive for an EN BN command compared to those that do have an EN CO command in your state.
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Command is never required to promote to major and the real question is what is your military career goal and will you be competitive to reach it? The Army often does not care how good you do in your area of expertise but how good you look in measurable means with other officers. MAJ Snuffy was given $5mil to complete a bridge over the river Snuffy2 in three months and completed bridge two weeks early $500,000 under budget.
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CPT (Join to see)
MAJ Byron Oyler - PAM 600-3 OFFICER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER MANAGEMENT
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MAJ Byron Oyler - Key developmental positions.These positions are specified by branch or FA, and revised periodically. A KD position is one that is deemed fundamental to the development of an officer’s capabilities in their core branch or FA competencies or deemed critical by the senior Army leadership to provide experience across the Army’s strategic mission. The majority of these positions fall within the scope of the officer’s branch or FA mission.
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CPT (Join to see)
MAJ Byron Oyler - Not every branch has them. Most combat arms branches do. If you don't have a KD evaluation in your board packet for MAJ you will be passed over. Some officer elect to push their promotion board back a year with another year group do they can the required time in their KD assignment.
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