Has anyone received a Battlefield promotion?

SSG Michael O'Malley — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:11:15 -0400

I have never personally met another soldier who was awarded a Battlefield Promotion. I was awarded one for my performance in OIF 2009. Having not actually met anyone else that was awarded one I am curious how common they are.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 8:22 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:22:43 -0400

They are fairly uncommon. I had a Soldier who received one in 2008. When the message came out authorizing BPs, MND-North put out a message for battalion-sized units to submit names for consideration. Some (like mine) held sub-boards in order to select the best candidate. I was proud to have one of my Soldiers selected, and he received a BP to SSG.
I think that it was a short-lived experiment and they don't do them anymore.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 8:24 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:24:56 -0400

Met several during ending days of VN, including MOH. My own direct commission was lost and finally showed up after the war was over.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 15 at 2015 8:25 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:25:01 -0400

I think you have answered your own question in your statement. Battlefield promotions are one of those things as common as a snip or Big Foot. Is there proof they may be out there? Sure but how often have you seen them? :)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 8:26 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:26:19 -0400

We had a SGT promoted to SSG while in Afghanistan in 2013. Not sure if it was a "battlefield promotion", but the command there announced that they'd be selecting 1 NCO for promotion while downrange and he got it after going through a board review with other NCOs out there.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 12:59 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:59:41 -0400

In 08-09, I saw General Petraeus, who at the time was the Centcom CG, grant an on-the-spot promotion for a PFC to E4, with a recommendation to the Battalion Commander that he be made a CPL instead of a SPC (he was). It happened in Kuwait, and it wasn't for combat action, so I'm not sure if that qualifies in the manner you were thinking.

Response by SGT Earl Boyce made Jul 31 at 2015 9:15 PM

SGT Earl Boyce — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 21:15:36 -0400

Yes, I was battlefield promoted to SGT while I was at FOB Warhorse Iraq OIF 09, 25th Infantry SBCT. Did I deserve it? If I didn't, I don't think I would have been a blip on anyones radar. A year prior while gearing up for deployment I had all my points, TIS and had just been awarded an AAR for Top Gun in my Armor platoon when I was selected to be on the commanders PSD as a rear air guard on a stryker. It was like starting over. It was over a year later in a combat zone working as a squad leader OPS NCO (even though I was only a SPC, I had already proven myself, had all the responsibilities of a higher rank and excelled at my job and-oh yea I never bitched about not being promoted) I just knew one day I would have my stripes. Fact is, I was floored when I was pinned and proud but now i am a little disappointed, I would have aced the board. and after reading some other comments about them handing them out like candy and not having physical records of this. Can anyone help/ direct me to get my records of this, Did you receive any paperwork? I was in the combat zone and was pinned with my stripes- got a pay increase, but no paperwork. I would really love to have records of this. I have not been able to find it in my military record other than effective date while we were deployed?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 9:42 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 21:42:16 -0400

There was a squad leader in my PLT in OIF 2009 that was awarded a battlefield promotion to SSG. Well deserved.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Aug 19 at 2015 6:16 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 18:16:19 -0400

I didn't receive a Battlefield promotion but knew many who did in Korea.. In my time it was not uncommon to see Staff Sergeants without a hash mark...

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 11:01 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:01:01 -0400

Shit, after my Court Martial, I was just happy to get promoted.

Response by SSG Paul Forel made Oct 1 at 2015 4:52 PM

SSG Paul Forel — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 16:52:12 -0400

During my in-processing at Fort Ord in July 1969, getting ready for BCT, I noticed a small crowd of guys around one particular soldier.

I walked over, curious, and I saw he was getting handshakes from the group. It seems he was awarded a battlefield commission while in Vietnam. I don't remember but I suppose he was wearing 2nd LT bars.

I was told he was the last soldier to get such a commission since the Army thereafter quit giving them out.

Response by SP5 Tim Fenoglia made May 9 at 2017 2:18 AM

SP5 Tim Fenoglia — Tue, 09 May 2017 02:18:01 -0400

Most if not all are for TIG anyway.

Response by SGT Reed Cundiff made Aug 28 at 2017 2:50 PM

SGT Reed Cundiff — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 14:50:10 -0400

I was called before our Major (CO of E/1/17 CAV), his XO, CO and XO of 173rd LRRP that I had been put in for a direct commission and it had been approved by CG of 173rd and MACV. I was leaving the field to go back to Bien Hoa to outprocess PCS in two hours (C-130 flight from forward base) and my mind was on "time to go home" mode. I was told that commission was a records check and an officer's board, which was the 4 of them (all West Pointers) and an officer from Brigade staff. Have read that almost all direct commissions were RIF'ed in early 1970s, so no regrets. I know that another 173rd LRRP (it was 74th LRP by then) did get a direct commission after Dak To, and was one of the few direct commissions that did not get RIF'ed.

Response by MSG Garth Evans made Nov 26 at 2017 9:08 PM

MSG Garth Evans — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 21:08:50 -0500

My father was in the Australian Army in Vietnam and received one after his first tour of Vietnam to officer. I think it was the only one to officer in Vietnam, although a few more of his unit on temp ranks were confirmed after the same battle.

Response by SGT Brian Mc Donnell made Mar 28 at 2019 2:26 PM

SGT Brian Mc Donnell — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:26:16 -0400

In 1970 Chu Lai Vietnam, I received a battlefield promotion from sp4 to Sgt. I was a team leader repairing choppers.

Response by CPT Leonardo Piovesan made Jun 5 at 2019 10:15 AM

CPT Leonardo Piovesan — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:15:57 -0400

Im not American btw, but i received a Battlefield promotion Staff Sergeant (equivalent) to 2 liutenant and 2 months after that to Captain. Colombia was like Vietnam at 90's

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2019 6:01 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 06:01:36 -0400

Here's a couple. https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/soldier-earns-rare-battlefield-promotion-during-isis-fight https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/09/17/the-corps-grants-first-combat-meritorious-promotion-since-2015-to-an-infantry-marine-in-syria/

How a soldier earned a rare battlefield promotion during an ISIS fight

When Jeremy Penderman joined the Army, he wasn't quite sure what his job would entail."I'm not even sure the recruiter knew what the job was," he said.But Penderman, a multichannel transmission systems operator/maintainer, said the job hasn't disappointed.Now serving in Iraq with Fort Bragg's 2nd...

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 5 at 2019 3:13 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 15:13:59 -0400

I think these were more prevalent in wars past - as opposed to today! Please correct me - if this not true!

Response by SPC Scott Bruno made Sep 1 at 2019 7:39 AM

SPC Scott Bruno — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 07:39:50 -0400

Yes, I also received a Battlefield promotion while in enemy territory on the last day of Desert Storm. To my knowledge, I am perhaps the only soldier force wide to have received this type of promotion during DS1. Yet, I, like many here, have never seen a drop of paper work concerning this.