Getting promoted out of your unit - what if your slot is already for the next grade?

2015-09-11T13:01:57-04:00

So I understand that if you get promoted, and there are no slots for your next higher grade in your unit, you can be involuntarily reassigned to another unit.

What happens if the slot you're in *is* for the next higher grade? Will they automatically leave you there, automatically reassign you, or something in between?

(This is strictly a USAR question)

UPDATE: As you all can see, I did make CW3. Having said that, things happened in the unit I was in. I got selected, but the unit turned out to be completely jacked up, to include the commander... I went into the IRR for seven months, and came out of the IRR into a better unit just before I got pinned CW3.

If i'd stayed, I would not have been transferred out. Officers are handled a little differently.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 11 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-09-11T13:04:35-04:00

I would wonder why spend the money on a transfer when you're already in the slot for the next grade.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-09-11T13:35:22-04:00

Not sure if it's automatic but I did run into a situation where we brought in an E6 to the unit and placed him in an E7 slot for his mos. The next month he got his promotion to E7 and the following month he was given orders out of the unit. The guy wanted to be in the unit and we really needed him.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-09-11T13:38:36-04:00

My understanding is that you will likely stay in-house, as in 99.9% or higher, but that by taking any promotion you are technically subject to a "needs of the Army" transfer as long as it's within commuting distance. So yeah, you could be the one guy it happens to, but in reality you're probably safe.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-09-11T13:40:36-04:00

While not USAR, I have seen similar situations. More often than not I have seen that person moved to another area with the reason being to show different positions and experiences when it comes time for OPRs/EPRs

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 2:02 PM

2015-09-11T14:02:21-04:00

Promotable officers currently serving in a position of the next higher grade are automatically promoted (unless someone else is in the slot with an earlier assignment date). Enlisted Soldiers must transfer for promotion, unless something funky happens with the board. No sure about Warrants, CW3 Private RallyPoint Member, but I would assume they fall into the former category. Submit for promotion orders!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 4:34 PM

2015-09-11T16:34:38-04:00

I asked this question when I was a 1SG. The Soldiers go a a list, in order. When their number comes up, ithey get sent to a unit that needs that MOS and rank the most. Smetimes, Soldiers get to stay in their current unit, other times, they must move. I hated losing good Soldiers, but didn't want to hold up their carreer. Once the Soldier has been at the unit a year, they can transfer back to the unit they came from, if there is a slot available. Or they go request a trasfer to a completely different unit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 9:34 PM

2015-09-11T21:34:30-04:00

In my experience they will do whatever they want. I was promoted out of my unit when I received my E-6, though I was holding a slot in my unit. Others have stayed within the unit and been double slotted to get a promotion. Seems to me that someone just makes it up as they go, though I'm sure there is a logical explanation.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 12 at 2015 1:05 AM

2015-09-12T01:05:41-04:00

Every time I was promoted, I had to put in for the position. If you failed to put in for the position in your unit, it's a good chance you will not be considered for it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 1:09 AM

2015-09-12T01:09:00-04:00

I think part of it depends on what kind of slot. I was sitting in a E6 slot, but it was a 00G instructor position. There were about 10 E6 slots available, yet my Regional Command saw the wisdom in promoting me up and out into a E6 BN CBRN billet. I was fully expecting to stay in the 00G slot, I was wrong

Response by COL R. Bruce Chisholm made Sep 15 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-09-15T14:35:42-04:00

Hello, Chief. Long time since we talked.
Assuming everything hasn't changed since I retired, if you are on the manning document in the grade you have been selected for, it's one form signed by your commander AHRC 56R.
See USAR PAM 600-5 Procedure T-71:
"1. Upon release of promotion list, MSCs must submit AHRC Form 56-R to promote all officers.
2. Promotion of flagged officers and officers not in a higher grade position are automatically suspended until qualified or they reach maximum time in grade (Maximum TIG is not applicable for
promotion to COL)."
The 56R states you are eligible for promotion, in a slot, not flagged and the commander signs off.
Of course, all this could have changed and since retirees do not have access to USAR publications as they do not have CAC cards, I may be all ate up. If so, somebody advise. My copy of the PAM is from 2010. If there is a newer copy, I wouldn't mind have a pdf...

Response by CW2 Timothy Slaght made Oct 9 at 2015 9:48 PM

2015-10-09T21:48:32-04:00

Just had it happen to a SPC. Got promoted one month out of my unit, but by the following BA he was transfered back. It took a letter between the company commanders.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 6:58 PM

2015-10-12T18:58:31-04:00

I just promoted to CW2 and am in a CW3 slot. I do not want to stay in this unit. I'm a Property Accountability technician and the slot is an S4 (over worked and under paid). I need PBO experience, not S4.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2017 3:10 PM

2017-04-20T15:10:23-04:00

I am now wondering if you were successful in transferring back to the unit. I am in a similar situation where I just began a precourse my reserve unit has for drill sergeant school called drill sgt candidate program with dates set to go in August, and my packet being complete. I was supposed to get promoted on that day as they can promote e4 to e5 for drill sgt school. Out of nowhere I have received promotion orders to E-5 as a supply sgt in a new unit and the orders state I must stay with that unit for 12 months to keep my rank. It was also explained to me that if I decline the promotion I would not be able to get promoted for another year, meaning I would also not be going to drill sgt school for at least another year as well. Is it possible for my unit to transfer me back? My old unit is willing to do a trade for soldiers if that is even possible since we have excess supply sgts who are not interested in going to DSA.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2020 12:29 AM

2020-04-27T00:29:48-04:00

I have just found out that I have made the list for e6. I'm already in a e6 slot but I'm being transferred to an OC/T slot almost 700 miles away. When I did my promotion packet I put a 170 mile radius and no to any special duty assignments. Is there a way for me to stay in my current unit? Thanks