How do promotions (and rank upon reentry) work if you were demoted prior to leaving to military?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 May 2021 13:44:21 -0400

I am currently in the process of reentry into the U.S. Army after over two years, I made some poor choices while I was in and have learned from them planning to come back more motivated than ever. I am just wondering what I can expect as far as my rank upon reentry and my requirements for the next enlisted ranks. Here is my rank progression:

PV1: Joined July 3rd, 2017
PV2: Promoted Jan 3rd, 2018
PV1: Demoted Oct, 2018
Discharged (general under honorable): Jan 17th, 2019

With this, I am wanting to know when I can expect my promotions for the junior enlisted ranks upon reentry. For those needing more information, I summarized below my time to give some understanding of the movement if needed.

I was in the Army for around 18 months in IET status, I completed basic first time through and completed the academic portion of AIT a few months later. I was unable to graduate as I only had 1 record PT test on file (it was a pass) but wasn't able to take a second due to a profile. Once I got off the profile I found that one of the two doctors on the post I saw thought I needed medical separation while the other disagreed causing me to be stuck indefinitely waiting on JAG. During the next year, the doctor who submitted the medical separation put me back on profile and I got severely demotivated watching people enter and leave the AIT program and it got even worse when the last person who was there when I was left after a year at AIT waiting on his security clearance. As a result of this demotivation, I got in trouble for a few things (missing a formation, not participating in one of the morning PTs) after I was counseled for these two things (within the same day) I was taken off this extended profile the next friday and given a record PT test the following Monday and Friday. From here they discharged me for a failure to meet expectations in combination with a UCMJ for the two counselings. I will accept that these were actions were absolutely unbecoming of a soldier and that I regret making those choices. Thank you to anyone who helps answer this question for me!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 6 at 2021 3:16 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 06 May 2021 15:16:56 -0400

I mean... Hunting the Good Stuff... At least you can't come in any lower than E-1, so you've got that going for you!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 6 at 2021 6:54 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 06 May 2021 18:54:31 -0400

If what you describe above is true and accurate (and fully accurate, with no omissions), you got a serious green weenie. That doesn't excuse your lack of motivation, or missing formation - please don't think I am saying you should come back with a chip on your shoulder or tell people how you "deserved this, that, or the other." But you should have been given time between PT Tests, and you should not be "taken off" of a profile unless there are exceptional circumstances. The unit obviously was cutting corners to simply get you off the books.

But... that is the past, and the only was to go is forward. So, moving forward you know what you have to do to be successful this time around. Go do it!

As for promotions, the first few promotions (PV2, PFC, SPC) are all based on TIS and TIG. You should already meet TIS for PFC, and by the time you make PFC you will meet TIS for SPC. Which means you have to worry about TIG. 6 months for PVT*, another 4 for PFC and another 6 for SPC. In theory, in a little under a year and a half, you will be a SPC. If you keep your nose clean.

*This is a guess. I have combed through Ar 600-8-19, and there is *no* TIG requirement for PV2, only the 6 month TIS requirement. They assume that TIG and TIS will be the same, because you can't enter as an E0. Without clear guidance in the Reg, I can only assume that you will have a 6 month TIG requirement for returning to E2. I am sure there is an official answer out there, but I couldn't find it in the reg. The reg does state that you are not eligible for waiver - you have to meet TIG and TIS requirements. But the lack of a TIG requirement for PV2 has me baffled.

Response by SMSgt Billy Cesarano made May 6 at 2021 9:03 PM

SMSgt Billy Cesarano — Thu, 06 May 2021 21:03:57 -0400

Don't sweat it. It is ALL about what you put into it. I made E2 three times and PFC twice. I got in a good bit of trouble off duty. On duty I kicked butt and it's what saved me from a much worse career outcome. Don't settle for being the best you can be. Be better than all your peers. Be an example. Set the standard higher than everyone else. Pick your friends wisely. Gravitate to the focused, driven individuals. Keep yourself busy, it won't go unnoticed. Move around units and posts. Find a niche at a unit with a great command and excel. Read, read and read. Know your job and the next higher level. Never ever have promotions waiting on you to meet any of the requirements other than time. Be the expert. Be the influence. Be and act with humility and humbleness. THINK before you speak. STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA. This is living a life of 'self motivation' at it's best and will serve you well all your life long. Good luck!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2021 10:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 May 2021 22:40:27 -0400

The best advice I can give you as someone who promoted to E5 demoted to E4 demoted to E3 and got out. I came back in as an E3 2 years later with my head properly on my shoulders. I picked up my promotions quickly by being squared away, always early and always passing my PT test and hgt/wgt. It all depends on how bad you want it and never blame someone else for your mistakes. You will still have hiccups (a bad nco or someone who just doesn't like you. ) deal with it and do everything you can to better yourself and your unit. I ended up retiring a 1SGT. It can be done.

Good luck

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2021 10:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 May 2021 22:58:42 -0400

You would come in as a PVT E1 more than likely and would have to meet TIG/TIS like everyone else as your clock gets reset if you get back in.