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

In today’s Army not everybody is being sent forward to get the job done. In my MOS I am fortunate to be able to conduct my business from the rear and not always have to be sent into combat, however I am part of a team and it is rare for the entire team to have to go forward. Usually it is a strong leader in the front and a strong leader in the rear. this being said I do believe that it should be a stipulation on specific positions you can fill and units you can be assigned. I am all for the army weeding out the people that can’t cut it anymore however in my opinion physical profiles is definitely not the place to start looking to separate one from the military especially if that is where they were injured.

While I can understand how one would argue that "non-deployable" Soldiers are essentially "dead weight", let's not forget how quickly you can become non-deployable (profiles and flags can cause this easily) and postpartum Soldiers are non-deployable.

Surely, you mean to talk about those who are on permanent profiles or have other medical conditions that put them on a "permanent, non-deployable" status?

It seems you have a lot of emphasis on whether or not the individual can deploy, while ASSUMING that being non-deployable means the Soldier has no combat experience or competency.

I would have to ask you if you felt that this should mean that senior leaders who make a mistake that would normally result in a PFC being chaptered should also be chaptered (w/o retirement)?

Since you brought up personal experiences, I had a 1SG who, on the -morning- we are boarding the buses to hit the tarmac and leave for deployment, flipped his truck (due to DUI). the MSG who assumed the duties was on his first deployment ever.

Did we help the Army "downsize"? Of course not. 1SG lost his diamond and stayed in the Army (deployed with the next BN in our Bde, as a MSG).

None of this really means anything, in the long run, on how Soldiers' experiences can help units prepare for deployment. Hell, sometimes you still have deployable Soldiers on rear-D because that's where they are needed. Not deploying with your forces might suck or otherwise make you feel bad, but being on rear-D is certainly not a "bad thing."

Sarge, a status of "non-deployable" isn't a career ender, and shouldn't be. In many cases, even a 999M isn't a permanent designation.
I do agree with you on promotion, though. A non-deployable soldier should not be promoted, until his or issue is resolved.

Not a good reason. Working as a former Paralegal, I have seen all sorts of issues. There are many reasons why a Soldier cannot deploy. You have to consider the reason, the length, and their work performance. For example, if a Soldier was injured jumping out a plane conducting Airborne Operations and could not deploy for 20 weeks, you would punish them? Worse, it compounds the issue and the Soldiers may no longer be motivated and cause further problems. Just because a person deploys, does not mean they are a good Soldier. A system is already set to to handle a range of issues. It's not the best, but to say no across the board dampens the overall morale.

I can understand your reasoning SFC Thomas and I respect your opinion, but I have to respectfully disagree with your opinion in regards to starting a chapter packet for non deployable SM.

Its true that being a soldier and deploying go hand in hand, but if the SM or Leader was proficient in their MOS it would be a waste to get rid of this soldier who has the skills necessary to help develop the soldiers appointed under them into leaders and teachers themselves.

As for promoting these non-deployable SM its fair to have that shortcoming taken into account when considering promotion.

I'm assuming you mean soldiers outside of a standard "nondeployable unit".

On top of it all, you ONLY deployed ONCE during over 13 years of combat?!?!?!? AND that was to Iraq in 2009-2010 when there were slim to NO HOSTILITIES?!?!??!?! WOW What a JOKE!!! LMAO!!!

SFC Thomas, I have to say that I admire your passion and commitment to the Army's mission, but to be that short sighted is quite concerning. I have deployed four times in my career. Twice as an 11B and twice as a 27D. Three of those deployments where on a P2 Profile. I went on Permanent Profile in 2005 due to injuries sustained during my first tour. I have dealt my whole career since with other saying that Soldier's on Permanent Profile where useless or wouldn't make good leaders. I seriously disagree with that. If anyone told me that I was less of a Leader or less of a Soldier simply because I was on Permanent Profile I would punch them in the throat.

I fully agree that deploying in support of the Army's mission is one of the most important things that a Soldier can do and you're right, it is main purpose behind being a Soldier. However, just because a Soldier is non-deployable that doesn't make them useless. There are certainly those among our ranks that actively try to not deploy and those are the Soldiers that should be barred from reenlistment, but there are other contributing factors that have to be taken into consideration. To simply say that if you haven't deployed or non-deployable that you should not be promoted or afforded other opportunities is a pretty toxic frame of mind.

Has anyone ever heard of CPT Scotty Smiley? In 2005, he was wounded in Iraq and lost his eyesight. He is the Army's first legally blind active duty officer. A medical review board found him both physically and mentally fit to continue serving on active duty.

Despite his blindness, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, he went on to teach military leadership at West Point and to command the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point's Keller Army Medical Center. He also earned the Army's prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award, which recognizes junior officers who demonstrate the ideals espoused by Gen. Douglas MacArthur: duty, honor, country.

He is now a Major and since 2012, has been serving as Assistant Professor of Military Science at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.

There are plenty of jobs a non-deployable SM can do that will benefit the Army and prepare those who are deployable.

If you are non-deployable, I don't see any reason why they can't get promoted. But, if they cannot be deployed, then they should be getting medically retired or just getting put out on regular medical, depending on why they are non-deployable.