How is Army RCP calculated?

2022-06-20T15:30:55-04:00

Long story short, I’m prior service Marine Corps (4 years active and 2.5 reserve). I joined active army as a E5, had an incident out of my control drop me back to E4. I’m E4 promotable, just waiting on my points. I’ve been active army for four years this Oct. Now, they’re telling me that I might hit RCP in Oct. I had plans on being a lifer for my career and family. My career means everything to me, and to my family’s wellbeing. I am trying to see how RCP points are calculated because what I have read online is that they’re only calculated by years in Army components. Would that mean my time in the marine corps/marine reserve wouldn’t count? Did my time in grade reset when I joined army? If so, do you know which regulation that falls under? What can I do to earn as many points as I can before then? I am also set to TDY soon and I feel completely stuck.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2022 4:05 PM

2022-06-20T16:05:20-04:00

I’m not sure how the Army came up with the formula but an E4 promotable is 10 years max. That is why they are telling you you’re getting close. All the other branches excluding the Coast Guard are 8 years for an E4. My understanding is all your active duty time would count. It’s possible the Army is including your Reserve time also which would be putting you at your high tenure mark. MSG Private RallyPoint Member SFC Private RallyPoint Member

Edit: I stand corrected it’s eight years and ten years for promotable in the Army.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2022 4:25 PM

2022-06-20T16:25:39-04:00

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/high-year-of-tenure-in-the-us-military-3355995

What Is the High Year of Tenure in the US Military?

An enlisted person must be promoted by certain time-frames during their career, or separate from the service in all branches of the military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2022 5:10 PM

2022-06-20T17:10:32-04:00

I'm curious where you read online that your active time only counts for the Army. You have to stop reading reddit....

Who is "they" telling you that you might hit RCP soon? If "they" can't definitively tell you, then they probably aren't qualified to tell you.

Every day on active duty is one day toward your RCP. Whether it's while you drilled as a marine reservist or while on active duty. If you ever deployed in the reserves, went to school in the reserves, and those two weeks of training a year, are all active duty days. They count towards your RCP.

Your time in grade reset when your grade changed. Since you joined the Army as an E5, and are now an E4, your time in grade as an E5 no longer applies. Your time in grade is the amount of time since you became an E4. FYI, you will not be eligible for a waiver to promote since you were reduced, you'll need to meet the entire time in grade requirement to pin.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2022 8:25 PM

2022-07-26T20:25:38-04:00

I did 8 years in the USMC as well. Crossed over into the Army in 2006 as an E5. Since the the USMC is very stingy on giving out awards, sending marines to classes, and college being very difficult to attend... I was hurting for points.

So in 2012 I got deployed to Afghanistan. While I was there I completed 6 college classes. Some nights I got no sleep due to essays I had to write. For that deployment I got an ARCOM and a drivers badge. Boosted my rifle range score and got my PT score way up when we returned to Fort Stewart. Got promoted in late 2013 the when the points FINALLY lowered after 5 years of it being stuck at 798.

So in short, if it's not too late get some college classes done, work on that PT test etc etc.

Not sure if this helped but feel free to ask me anything. Not only did I beat RCP, I also survived the sequestration.