If you are non deployable, you shouldn't be able to get promoted. What do you think?

As I read most of these post, it seems as though we are treating this as a black or white issue. I think we must take into consideration that many of these Soldiers who are currently non-deployable are non-deployable due to issues that were the result of a previous deployment. The Army has become a large, cumbersome, bureaucratic machine. Many times the Soldier realizes that he/she can't deploy and wants to get out but but due to the bureaucracy involved is held until the issue is resolved. In many cases these non-deployable Soldiers feel guilty, embarrassed and ashamed especially those who are unable to handle a weapon because of a psychiatric issue. I have served on active duty and am now a reservist and am also a military technician working as a unit administrator. I have witnessed first hand the bureaucracy at work. I have two Soldiers with issues from previous deployments who are now non-deployable. These Soldiers have been non-deployable for close to three years and completed and submitted all necessary documentation a little over two years ago. These two Soldiers have been waiting for adjudication and final determination or their cases for the past two years. These Soldiers have complied with everything they have been asked to do in order to facilitate the process. Through my time as a unit administrator I have attended training courses, workshops etc. and everyone I speak to says the same thing. Many times Soldiers like those that I have pointed out realize that they can no longer serve and know that it is time to leave but are prevented from doing so. So I think as we discuss this issue we must take into consideration why the Soldier is non-deployable. Is it a result of a deployment or an injury incured in the line of duty? I also think the discussion of what can be done to streamline the process for these Soldiers is long overdue. We need to do what is right for the Army but not at the detriment of these Soldiers who have served honorably. It is very easy to say, as some post I have read...they need to get out...time to send them back to the house...they don't belong. We must all remember that one day anyone of us could be in their position.

Case by case basis, some people can't control injuries or surgeries, and some injuries can be a direct result of Army training. It should be based on performance as it, kind of, is now. Generalizing all non-deployable as sandbaggers is part of the problem with the Army right now...

I'm not a soldier, but I know what it was like being non-deployable. It's not a good feeling. But that doesn't mean that service no member is useless. Maybe they shouldn't be in that specific squad or not specific unit but they can be repurposed and every job in the military has a purpose. For some services becoming an NCO is not a small feat. So when someone makes it that far and their careers thrown away it not only the services the military and the service is the service member. The military should expect more and so should we.

Labeling is the worst thing we can start doing as a professional force. Non-deployable status can be caused by many things, mostly physical limitations. Does that mean the Soldier has nothing to give to his/her peers and subordinates? As an SFC I was non-deployable while I recovered from a back injury. Should I have not been considered for the MSG promotion board? It probably would have ended my career. I was picked up first time primary and ultimately frocked to 1SG.

Certainly if a Soldier's limitations are permanent and prohibits him/her from world wide deployment they need to be appropriately mentored into finding another line of work. But to make the categorical statement that deployability the ultimate criteria to promotion is both short sighted and phobic.

I agree to some of your statement. I am sure we've all come across some non deployable Soldiers. It appears you are painting with a broad brush here.

Just because someone is non deployable does not make them useless.
Unfit fat slobs who don't care about their careers. ...I agree, chapter them out.

Before my last deployment, I was trained by many non deployable soldiers during MOB. They were non deployable do to injuries sustained in combat.
Their experiences allowed our brigade a successful deployment with only one casualty. May he rest in peace.
Experience is gained while doing from trial as well as error. I am sure in your life someone has said to you, hey don't do that, trust me I know from experience. When someone says that, the likelihood is they've tried it and FAILED miserably.

I guess you're one of those people who think your Sh*t don't stink.

I would rather have experienced, competent, Non Deployable Soldiers training my platoon than a deployable know it all jackass setting them up for failure.

I hear your frustration, I'm guessing someone was promoted ahead of you and it hurts. Put your service ahead of yourself, focus on your troops.

i think that would and should be determined by why you are not deployable..

Every case is going to be a little different and deeply personal to someone. Very interesting discussion on balancing being a fighting force and taking care of your people.

my reply is why are we so focused on nondeployable soldiers when a majority of our force is currently and probably will not be deployed for any of the contingency operations that we are facing right now. It is not like we are hurting for soldiers to put in the fight, this is merely a force shaping tool like they used in the past, however, when the Syria conflict bleeds over to Saudi Arabia or Jordan or even Turkey then you will see the Army going back to those they released pleading for them to come back. I am a nondeployable soldier myself with a permanent S3 profile

No, you're wrong. There are many reasons for being non-deployable. Most are temporary and most are no fault of the soldier. Punishing a soldier for an injury or illness (or even a pregnancy) is ridiculous, and also quite bad for morale and retention. You won't be healthy forever. Sooner or later, you will be non-deployable for one reason or another. Would you want someone trying to damage or end your career?

I do not think it is right to penalize someone who is genuinely hurt to where they cannot deploy. If they are under the care of a doctor and there is a possibility for them to return to full status I feel they should still be able to be promoted otherwise the injury could result in them being forced out even if they get better because of missed promotions.

I'm in the Air Force. I'm nondeployable. The AFGSC General tells us we deploy to the missile field everyday. I don't see how he gets that. We just do our job.

If a soldier never deploys, I can see your point but if a soldier has been injured during deployment and is in recovery then no that soldier should not be booted nor denied promotions. Life happens.

In my opinion you are incredibly small minded. I will grant you that there are some people that use that status as Asa way to get out of doing things but there are countless Soldiers that bring a hell of a lot of leadership experience to the table even though their bodies are now broken. Tossing that experience to the wayside is wrong and a realised opportunity to develop our future leaders.

Depends on the situation. If you have a EM/Officer that can't pass, p.t. can't pass the tape test. Can't pass alternative p.t. test and does not have a temp profile due to injury and who don't have a skill set like Admin, operations or maintenance in the rear detachment then maybe they are a 5th wheel in the organization. If they have 18 years in, get them in sanctuary and retire them at 20 years if they are broken. I am talking about the reserve component here. Active duty, I am sure, you have your ways to decide to get them out by regulations too.

When the Army needed Soldiers the regulations were overlooked.
Now they need to shrink and policies are again tight. In 2008 my profile was fine to deploy. 2013 the same profile was no longer valid for deployment and I was medically retired. When the army finds itself fighting on mutipal fronts those profiles will be good enough again.
Prorated the 20 year retirement to time served and remove all Soldiers with a permanent profile.
Can't wait for the draft to be activated.
Good luck Soldiers.

That's norhing there are soldier who serve and never been to any NCO school and still have Senior Rank, so how can you take one from the other, this is nothing but a form of poltice

My medical records and those of my brothers were empty. No one wanted to be non-deployable. Almost bit me in the ass during my C&P exams though lol.

I don't worry about anyone else but me and the guys I am responsible for, when things go sideways it is irrelevant who didn't deploy just who is on your left and right. Everything else is just white noise

I think if they're proficient in their job, they still should be able to get promoted! I do agree with SSG Brian Jones on taking a non deployable professional NCO over a deployed unprofessional! There is always room for both types!