Getting promoted while transferring units, welcome any advice?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 00:59:15 -0500

JUST GOT NEW INFO SO I EDITED THIS.

After talking to my Regional Command: Promotions prioritize in-unit first, then start looking for slots outside the unit. The SFC placements will occur in December. As long as I am in a unit with available E7 slots by December, I will get promoted to that in-unit slot.

So, If I get my transfer into RRC ASAP and am officially part of my gaining unit prior to December, then I will get promoted into one of those unit's E7 slot. I was told by the DA CIV that I was talking to, that once they get the transfer paperwork, orders are typically cut in 3-5 days.

I am going to push forward with the transfer.

I just found out today that I made the selection list for SFC (E-7), (on my first look no less).

So here is my situation and questions I have.

1. I am in the process of a TPU to TPU transfer. The slot I am transferring to is a E6 Squad Leader slot. I am pretty sure that there are E7 positions available in the gaining unit. Is there any way I can "steer" the RRC to promote me into one of those slots?

2. The unit I am transferring away from just changed it's TDA to make my MOS a -40 (E7) position. If I transfer to my new unit while still a E-6, is it possible to get promoted back to the E7 slot in the unit I am trying to leave? I am leaving the unit to gain some leadership time in my MOS. Until now, I have been in instructor or OC/T units, but I really desire some time doing CBRN.

3. I also have a packet in play to become a WOC. I am in the middle of some fixes on the packet based on suggestions from Proponent, but I hope to get boarded in January. Assuming I eventually become WOC, can I still get promoted to E7 until such time as I complete WOCS? If for some reason I fail to complete WOCS (just playing devil's advocate), will I return to the E7 rate? And will my time as an E7/WOC count as time as an E7?

4. My transfer paperwork has not been sent to RRC yet. It will go up next week. Should I hold off on the transfer and see where the Army decides to put me? As far as I know, the reserves don't have career managers.

I welcome any input here.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Nov 7 at 2015 8:21 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 08:21:39 -0500

I would pull your transfer packet now. I think this is a drill weekend for you, if I am tracking schedules correctly. I would do it today.

In order to be promoted in the reserves, so you need to be primary in a slot for that next higher grade.

As a result of the board (and my knowledge of the NCO side of the house is a little shaky here), the Reserves (I think it's the RRC/RPAC, but not 100%) will place you against a valid vacant E7 slot, either in your current unit or another. If you take the promotional transfer, you are required to stay in that unit for a minimum amount of time (I think a year), barring exceptional circumstances.

There are tricks to getting those exceptional circumstances to come to be, but the primary thing now is to an E7, not an E6, slot.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Nov 7 at 2015 1:07 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 13:07:03 -0500

Stop your transfer now! Accept whatever E7 slot offered. The unit will understand this is the reserve process

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Nov 10 at 2015 5:15 AM

1SG Harold Piet — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 05:15:13 -0500

I do not know how the reserves or the NG works, but The Active Army should call their Branch manager right away. Then If you transfer, Branch will send you to a E-7 slot. At least that was the way it worked in 1995 when I retired.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Nov 10 at 2015 7:46 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:46:56 -0500

Congratulations advancement is good, your new Unit probably have you as an over strength on the Unit Manning Roster if it still exist. Do you have the "H" Identifier" certifying you as an Instructor? If so, you should be able to support Training Battalions for MOS and NCOES Training, I wish you well on your newly assigned position.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2015 7:55 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:55:33 -0500

It is the best you have the opportunity to bring your fresh acquire knowledge. To the new unit and because you are new your subordinates will gave you more respect to shine in the military an eEUslot or eEUslot won't mean nothing just your work will show your expertise

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2015 8:07 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 08:07:46 -0500

Your WO packet wont matter for your promotion to SFC. Thats a DA board that has nothing to do with the RRC promotion boards. The RRC can (key word) promote you into your gaining unit. I would suggest your S-1 engage the RRC promotions section if want to try to stay in that unit.

Response by SGM Alfonza Williams made Nov 10 at 2015 9:08 AM

SGM Alfonza Williams — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:08:05 -0500

First. I will like to say Congratulations on your selection to SFC. The Reseves selected you for SFC with the understanding that you will be fulfilling an E7 slot. Please take note that the slot that you are leaving has been upgraded to an E7 position; therefore, I highly recommend that you stay in place and allow your WOC packet to go forward. I will contact the Reserve Component Assignment Manager to see their intentions due to your selection, normal practice is to cancel your assignment to the E6 slot and put you in a known E7 slot. Reservists does have Assignment Managers as Active Components.
SGM W

Response by SGT Nathan Huff made Nov 10 at 2015 9:22 AM

SGT Nathan Huff — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 09:22:23 -0500

As a unit strength NCO, in S1. I can tell you that your slot is legal. " 2 up and 1 down " is the guidelines for slotting. Depending on how soon you are gett promoted and how soon you transfer. Are key point. Also have you signed up for your next leadership school yet? .

Talk to your S1 NCOIC, or Warrenton (at bat. level) see if they can get you a different slot. If not call your branch. IF no one can or will change your orders, then wait until you transfer and talk to there S1.

Also get battle staff training if you dont have it yet.

Response by 1SG Bill Wayne made Nov 10 at 2015 10:09 AM

1SG Bill Wayne — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:09:46 -0500

Advise the command staff of the upgrade they will do whats right
Its not a good way to do business in the same company. If your getting promoted its time to move on and start fresh

Response by 1SG Bill Wayne made Nov 10 at 2015 10:10 AM

1SG Bill Wayne — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:10:47 -0500

It is better to move on and start fresh as a platoon Sgt

Response by SSG O Clark made Nov 10 at 2015 10:23 AM

SSG O Clark — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:23:11 -0500

I would not transfer , Stay in ur unit that u r in becuz they can promote u to an E-7 there and most WOC candidates r E-7 anyway I would wait it out for now

Response by MSG Michael Murphy made Nov 10 at 2015 10:35 AM

MSG Michael Murphy — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:35:58 -0500

I WOULD focus on my promotion First. Your Higher Command will place You into the Slot were they require You the most. Continue being all you can be as a Senior NCO... out here MSG Murphy

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Nov 10 at 2015 10:39 AM

SSG Don Maggart — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 10:39:15 -0500

What Skills are to adding to make you a value added product what classes schools are you passing up in the dash for a E-7 dream eyes on the skill set forget the prize ...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2015 11:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:49:37 -0500

You are your own career manager in the Army Reserve(not reserves, there is only one). If you have not submitted your 4651 R yet, simply re do it with the new paragraph an line number, if there is a vacancy in the E-7 position you want. Check with your new unit and a career counselor, there should be those around you, and seek advice. I am sure that your gaining unit would much rather have you in a position commensurate with your rank.

As far as going warrant, you will still be boarded in the same way and you can cross that bridge when you get to it. Take care of your career now. Don't wait, because the Reserve does not move quickly at all. Just my 27 years worth of 2 cents.

You may want to check, but you may already be in a different unit because the Reserve doesn't just promote into nothing. Usually they promote you into an existing paragraph and line number.

If you have an established MOS, more than likely you will return to the NCO ranks if you fail Warrant Officer Basic at Fort Rucker. Why on earth you would worry about that confuses me. You shouldn't be going to courses with that kind of attitude. You go to excel in Army courses.

Response by CSM Frank Graham made Nov 10 at 2015 11:56 AM

CSM Frank Graham — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:56:48 -0500

Move to a SFC position as soon as possible.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 10 at 2015 1:57 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:57:15 -0500

Congrats!

Response by SGT Robert Andrews made Nov 10 at 2015 8:37 PM

SGT Robert Andrews — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 20:37:32 -0500

Pull your transfer packet

Response by MSG Carolyn Hunter-Drake made Nov 11 at 2015 12:37 PM

MSG Carolyn Hunter-Drake — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 12:37:36 -0500

Put in your packet now. Transfer. Never pass up the opportunity to lead, so it will show up on your NCOER. Then when you as you are putting in different packets whether you want to be a WOC or stay NCO (Hooah), it will still be a plus. Let's say you get to that TPU and they have a slot and yo can move in or your old unit see that you have shown that you can lead, and have outstanding time management. The LTC is saying that the NCO chain is shaky, it is not, but you have to have a stellar packet, no hiccups; not like before. This is the new Armed Forces and despite of what is in the media about being the poor who are joining, it's a mixture of who is joining, AND we are these guys are far more intelligent than before. Never pass up the opportunity to lead, is how I started, and is how I will finish.