Does Detachment Commander time count towards the 2 years of Company Command time?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 01:18:39 -0400

Hello, I just completed 9 months of rear det Commander. I recently deployed as the Detachment Commander of my group of 70+ Soldiers. However it looks like I will be taking half of the Soldiers and be acting as a PL under another company(Needs of the Army). If I assume Command of my Company(it has been offered to me), will this time be counted towards my Command time? Or will I still need to complete another 2 full years of CMD time when I redeploy? I will be eligible for the CPT board in January.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jul 8 at 2020 1:54 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 01:54:45 -0400

...from what I remember, all (consecutive?) time is counted as Command time; unless, regulations have changed. Good Luck & I sincerely hope You ate selected for CPT!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 7:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 07:03:49 -0400

Sad to say, no. Most branch managers and AR 600-3 will tell Company Commmad is not an assignment an LT needs until he/she is a Captain. I’ve had several friends who did the same, but when they were promoted to Captain, they still had to pursue a 18-24 month Company Command. Some believe it’s because when you become an O-3 you’ll be held more accountable, whereas when you command as an LT, you may be able to make more mistakes. Additionally, most LT (Active Duty) have not attended CCC. To be considered branch qualified as a Captain, you must have successfully commanded for 18 plus months and graduated CCC. Now I don’t say all this to discourage you from accepting a commmad. But be aware that this may be more of a “trail run” and that you’ll have to seek command when you make Captain. Good luck LT.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 8:24 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:24:21 -0400

May have changed but I did 18 months as HHC CO as a 1LT and that counted towards my command time.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 11:22 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 11:22:32 -0400

I did HHC Command as a LT for 16 months, I count it as command time. I also have a friend that has never had command time and still made CPT. I don't think there is a mandatory requirement for command in order to get promoted.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2020 8:58 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 08:58:56 -0400

1LT Bob,
I would not worry about it counting as command time. You are a leader and were selected to lead Soldiers, Lead them. I believe that command is why we are officers take all the opportunities you have to grow, learn and lead. I had company commands as a 1LT and CPT, there is a difference in what is expected of you.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jul 9 at 2020 9:22 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 21:22:53 -0400

Judging by the other responses, the army has changed a lot since my career (1978-2002). We use to make captain in 3 to 3.5 years. We use to get one year commands so that they could run as many thru as possible. It use to not matter if you were a 1LT or a CPT, nor did it matter if you'd been to the captains' course or not. As a captain, in 1990, I had command of a aviation detachment (UH-1, assault) in Europe and it counted as a company command. It lasted 2 years only because I was deactivating the unit, a 2 year command was very unusual at that time. BTW, deactivation a unit is a real pain, every little screwdriver and tent peg has to be accounted for.