If my promotion is delayed due to a flag removal not being processed in a timely manner, should my promotion be backdated?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:05:42 -0500

Looking for information since I could not get a really clear answer in AR 600-8-19

I was flagged back in March for ABCP, I passed height & weight the month after and the flag was removed, however I was never informed that I was actually flagged for APFT, the PT card that I received was a pass but resulted that it was a fail and I was flagged without me knowing about it.

My next APFT comes in June 7 and I pass, short after I am counceled for a flag removal, my 2 year mark was the day after on June 8th and I see no promotion, I ask what the situation was and I was told that I was flagged, therefore the AAA-17 was signed as "NO". I am then told that I should see my promotion the month after since the flag was already lifted.

Next month comes and no promotion, I approached my NCO again and after a couple of days it appeared that my PT card was lost (aparently it was taken by my old PSG), so I had to retake an APFT to get promoted, I took it that same month and they told me to wait another month for the promotion.

August is here and I see no promotion, I ask again and I am told that S1 is backdated, so I wait a little more. I went to the orderly room to get a copy of the flags paperwork and orderly room did not had half of the paperwork, so I went to S1 and got it from them, on a side note, S1 had the lost PT card so I added it to the file. I was finally told to wait a little more for S1 to catch up.

September was the same story. By now my window is open and I am tryinng to reenlist before bonus go away, so I ask again, now handing over all the paperwork that I had since I knew orderly room did not had half of it. October was something similar, by this point I had 4 different squad leaders, and a couple of section sergeants. and I approach all of them with the issue and I was told the same, to just wait.

November I am told I am getting promoted, bonus is away so all I want at this point is for someone to give me an actual answer. I am suddently told that I am getting pin and got a 4187 for promotion Nov 1st. However, the promotion date on my erb and LES reflect Dec 1st.

Today I was told that the AAA-117 was circled "YES" on October so I should get back date to that month.

My question is;
Is this accurate, even thought I was never counceled for denial of promotion (which I ask for as well).?

I realize it was my fault from the beggining in March, but I did what I had to do to fix it, at least what I knew about.

Thank you in advance for any advice

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2017 5:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:08:22 -0500

What about it?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2017 5:11 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:11:06 -0500

Talk to your chain of command, if you are past the mandatory promotion time in grade/service requirements you should get the promotion in a few weeks, but don't expect an accelerated promotion or waiver of TIG/TIS.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Dec 27 at 2017 5:54 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:54:20 -0500

What exactly is your question? I can't tell what you're asking, between your question title and your narrative.

Response by SSG Guy Gould made Dec 28 at 2017 7:35 AM

SSG Guy Gould — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 07:35:15 -0500

Where are your copies of these documents? When you take a PT test, you are supposed to get a copy of your records. You are supposed to get a copy of your counseling as well as a copy of any other documents produced with your name on it. You take these documents and put them in a binder for safe keeping throughout your career. That way, when shit like this happens you can take your records to S-1 yourself and submit them. If your not doing this, go to the nearest mirror and the slap the shit out of he person whose reflection is in the mirror until that person “get’s it.” As much as you would like to think that you can count on your chain of command to do these things, DON’T. Your chain of command is only as good as it’s weakest link. If it isn’t on paper, it didn’t happen.

Response by SFC Bryan Johnson made Dec 28 at 2017 10:20 AM

SFC Bryan Johnson — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 10:20:26 -0500

Not good but getting someone to own up to that probably won't happen . Work harder to stay out of that gray zone . It just gets harder as you get older .

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2017 11:18 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 11:18:21 -0500

If you can show proof that you were flagged erroneously than yes your promotion should be backdated. But the issues is getting the DA 705s and 5500's showing that you passed APFT and HT/WT since you said they were lost.

Response by SFC Daniel Hardin made Dec 29 at 2017 3:43 PM

SFC Daniel Hardin — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 15:43:39 -0500

PFC Mejia, there is no such thing as a Soldier who hasn't been on the wrong end of an Army paperwork debacle. Unfortunately, with situations such as these there is very little that can be done after the fact. Your promotion will be effective as of the date of the 4187. At your level, the 4187 is the promotion order and it is valid with the date it shows when the appropriate level Commander signs it. Pay/DOR can only be backdated to the DOR listed on that 4187. All the failures that created the issue itself can still be addressed to help future Soldiers in your unit however. This issue, with as many facts, witnesses, and supporting documentation should be raised to your First Sergeant. That is not the end however. An issue like this has had your 1SG's visibility from the moment your name appeared on the AAA-117. Therefore, if he is still the same 1SG, then he is part of your problem. If you have changed 1SGs since this began, you can leave it with him to fix. If it is the same one then the issue should go higher. All that being said, the best thing you can do to protect yourself from things like this in the future is to maintain copies of all paperwork with your name on it for 2-3 years past when you receive it. If it is difficult for you to get a copy from your NCOs, then at least take a picture of it with that handy smartphone no Soldier would be caught dead without... That picture can then be printed or at least shown as proof that something you say happened, did happen. If I'm your new PSG, and you bring me an issue like this. All I have is your word and nothing tangible I can angrily wave in someone's face in order to help the next Soldier.