I'm currently TDY enroute and I made the list for E-5, should I be pinning myself?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 00:50:21 -0400

I am not able to get into contact with anyone from my new unit yet. Should I be pinning myself or holding off until I get to my new unit? My AKO/ERB have both updated to reflect my new rank.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made May 2 at 2014 5:42 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Fri, 02 May 2014 05:42:50 -0400

I recommend that you wait until you sign in to your new unit. Your 1SG/CSM may want to conduct the formal ceremony and even an NCO Induction Ceremony.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 6:01 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 06:01:04 -0400

Your pay will change, but I've been told repeatedly that you don't get to wear that new rank patch until your pinned. You'd be really setting yourself up for some potentially harsh criticism. I should also add that I've been in this same situation - picked up O-4, got the president's letter, but my rater (who did the pinning) was scheduled to be TDY for 2 weeks after I made rank. So, you suck it up and just be happy your pay is higher. You've worn the rank for years now, another few weeks isn't going to kill you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 6:54 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 06:54:07 -0400

Same happened to me back in the day and I waited until I got to my unit that was already deployed. When I got there, I was wearing my CPL stripes and this punk E5 on rear D started chewing into me and asked if I was DA select or lateral for my CPL. I told hom lateral and physically ripped my stripes off my collar and told me if looks like I'm a private until I found SPC rank and asked why I was not at parade rest. I responded with, actually, I'm a SGT and it would be great if he could find out when I could get pinned. He got furious and went straight to S1 to confirm it. He was even more pissed when he got back and threw my rank at me.... No joke. That's how I got promoted. When I got back from the deployment I was promotable to SSG and was pinned a month later. I went to see a buddy that was on CQ and guess who his NCO was on duty. Yep. He started chatting it up with me and I asked him, is that how you talk to a SSG? Why aren't you at parade rest? Priceless. What a dick. I would wait none the less. It is a moment that GOOD leaders want to have with their soldiers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 8:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 08:24:46 -0400

Thank you for the advice

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 2 at 2014 8:29 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 02 May 2014 08:29:41 -0400

Wait until you get to your new unit, I was promoted to SSG at the end of my in-processing into 1st ID, I had made the points while on PCS leave coming back from Germany and was pinned by the OIC and NCOIC of the In/Out-Processing team. Don't know why they didn't go ahead and just send me to the unit and let them do it, but was all good, just got stuck with an extra week of in-processing for SSG and above lol.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 11:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 11:41:41 -0400

Wait......the first imression that you are going to give your new leader ship is standing in front of them getting promoted. that kind of face time is never a bad thing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 11:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 11:42:28 -0400

IF you do it or if you don't in the long run it's not going to matter. Check your OMPF and see if the certificate is in there; if your unit did one. I made points while on leave before going to PLDC (WLC) and I put mine on, as I didn't want to have any wierd moments while they called names out. YOU MUST TAKE YOUR ORDERS TO GET A NEW ID CARD. I would say that is the true key that your ID Card reflects your pay grade. So print your orders and go to your local ID Card shop.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 2 at 2014 11:51 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 02 May 2014 11:51:58 -0400

It's better to get promoted in front of Soldiers anyways. I even known Soldiers who waited a week until their parents were able to visit and see the promotion in person. I was promoted to SSG in 2001 with only two NCOs and my friend's mother while in USAREC. Like everyone has mentioned, wait until you arrive at your next assignment. You earned your promotion and deserve to be recognized by others. Take care.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 12:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 12:31:47 -0400

I don't see why you have to wait to wear the rank, officially as of yesterday you are a SGT, what you can do is ensure that your name gets added to the NCO induction ceremony if you haven't been inducted already

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2014 12:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 May 2014 12:18:22 -0400

Technically you should wait. It's better to be pinned in front of new unit to show that you earned it. If your stuff reflects it, it is all good. Just bring it all once you show up to your new unit and let them know. They will hold a ceremony and you will be noticed right off the go. Congrats by the way.

Response by SFC Cornelius Walsh made May 7 at 2014 8:13 AM

SFC Cornelius Walsh — Wed, 07 May 2014 08:13:04 -0400

I recently received my promotion orders, and not only were they backdated over a month, but my command team and I were in various locations on TDY. Since returning, we're in a very hectic training cycle, and I'll be headed out on TDY next week again. Though I have an incredible amount of respect for my Senior NCOs in group, my need to acquire a new ID card, interact with other units on post, and to have my uniform match my ERB/AKO led to my decision to just go to clothing and sales, and sew on my new rocker. I plan on buying lunch for my section at some point soon, since I feel that's an important tradition. However, the lack of a pinning ceremony seemed a bit selfish to me given the situation.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 22 at 2015 2:56 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 02:56:58 -0500

SGT David Hardin, Situation, 1955. Mission, after 16 months under canvas in Korea, I am returning CONUS.

Command & Execution, The Army in one of it's periodic fits had consigned my MOS to be a Spec 5. After wearing SSG E-5 stripes for a while in Korea, I had (and still have an attitude problem)!, therefore, every time on every document given to me to fill out, while in transient, I entered, SGT E-5, (correct usage for E-5 at the time). By the time I arrived at Ft Lewis, every set of orders read SGT!

Response by CSM James Winslow made Jul 19 at 2018 1:14 AM

CSM James Winslow — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 01:14:47 -0400

Wear the rank. If any one asks (chain of command wise) explain the situation and that you didn’t want to be out of uniform. If the public promotion is important to you, then ask if it is possible.