Is it required for a Battalion Commander to be present at a soldier's promotion ceremony to SFC?

2015-12-28T16:15:02-05:00

I am currently a BN S1, and I'm trying to work on a promotion ceremony for two soldiers being promoted to SFC come 1 Jan. I was told by my OIC that the BN Commander has to make the decision of when he wants to hold the formation for the promotion ceremony due to it being a centralized promotion. However, after speaking with the BN Commander, he stated that HHD Commander has to make the decision. I've been looking in the regulations and I have yet to find the answer to my question. Who holds the formation for Centralized promotions, or does it matter which commander holds it? Please advise.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 4:23 PM

2015-12-28T16:23:09-05:00

There is your answer right there to your question. Have you found it in the reg? Nike you sure haven't and you won't. If the soldier wants to do it with just 5 people it's up to him. There is no regulatory guidance on who holds a promotion ceremony.

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Dec 28 at 2015 4:26 PM

2015-12-28T16:26:44-05:00

He's the BN CDR, he does what he wants.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 4:32 PM

2015-12-28T16:32:29-05:00

SSG Cables is right - there is no real protocol. HOWEVER, there is an "image" thing involved. Making E-7 is a huge deal, and it would be a real jerk move to NOT be there and to NOT hold a BN formation to promote them publicly.

I've served under a couple of BRIGADE Commanders that demanded to be at all E-7 and above promotion formations.

It's just a way for a commander to say, "I really do give a shit" for the troops.

Response by LTC Stephen Conway made Dec 28 at 2015 5:14 PM

2015-12-28T17:14:24-05:00

I have seen a company commander do the promotion but it would be best, I think, for a Battalion Commander to make the S1 read the order and promote him/her in front of their peers.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Dec 28 at 2015 5:32 PM

2015-12-28T17:32:02-05:00

I am not sure there is a hard rule on that. But I cannot imagine a Battalion Commander not wanting to be present for the ceremony. Promotion to SFC is a big deal so I think it warrants being done in front of a large formation. That shows a larger group of Soldiers what they can strive for. The only caveat to that would be if the Battalion is not consolidated in one location. In that case, I would say the HHD with the BC present would suffice. But if everyone is at one location, make it special.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Dec 28 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-12-28T18:39:08-05:00

No. There is no requirement nor if you want to perfectly honest a ceremony is not required. If you took a poll I am sure you will find all different ways people have been promoted in leui of a ceremony.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 28 at 2015 6:42 PM

2015-12-28T18:42:40-05:00

No -- this is definitely NOT a requirement, I can assure you of that.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Dec 28 at 2015 6:49 PM

2015-12-28T18:49:18-05:00

When I made SFC, I could care less if the BN CDR was there.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 6:58 PM

2015-12-28T18:58:11-05:00

Take away: See AR 600–8–19 • 18 December 2015, Ch 1 para 1-24. One has to remember that the promotion instrument is neither a certificate or ceremony, it is the promotion order. There is no specific regulatory guidance who conducts the ceremony.

A ceremony is traditionally held in order to show troops that an NCO/Officer is being promoted due to their accomplishments, leadership potential and ability to accept greater responsibilities in addition that they are also the best qualified.

From my experience, its the HHD Commander setting up the when/where, but its not a perfect world and doesn't always go that way. If the BN Cdr isnt't there, it is whomever the the BN CDR has designated in their absence to run things, that may pin said SFC.

SGT Traneika Little, any lessons learned should be incorporated into your section's promotions SOP.

Response by MSG Michael Caldwell made Dec 28 at 2015 7:31 PM

2015-12-28T19:31:31-05:00

It is the current commanders choice, but in good taste you would be right to invite your chain of command, and if they decide to attend then you would work with their schedule. Just common curtesy.

Response by CSM William Payne made Dec 28 at 2015 7:58 PM

2015-12-28T19:58:46-05:00

It would be great if the Battalion Commander could do the promotion, but it is not improper for the Executive Officer, HHD Commander or the Company Commander to fulfill this function. Any Commissioned Officer can perform this function if necessary.

The Soldier should not have to wait for a commander to return from his family vacation to Europe or TDY to be promoted. In fact I have seen Soldiers request to be promoted by former Commanders or other officers that may have played a significant part in the Soldier's career. This includes family members as in a situation were the father or mother is an officer and the son or daughter is getting promoted.

So the Soldiers should be asked for their input into the promotion process for promotion to a senior grade. Remember the promotion ceremony is for the Soldier, not for the Battalion Commander.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 28 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-12-28T21:37:51-05:00

Tradition and want is what your facing. Not regulatory guidance. Anyone can publish the orders, but the commander has the ability to dictate when and where, as does his commander, and his, and his and.......

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:26 PM

2015-12-28T22:26:51-05:00

There is nothing in writing, but it always looks good if the BC or CSM are available to be at a Senior NCO's promotion.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-12-28T22:27:07-05:00

Is it important for the BC to be there, sure. Are there times when the BC is TDY or what have you? Yes. The Soldier shouldn't take that personally. I typical MO was to give the E7 my availability and if that fit in to what THEY wanted to do with the family etc, then great. If I couldn't be there that's why you have an XO. In many cases though the E7 doesn't necessarily care if the BC is there - they usually want officers or NCOs they were close to, typically an senior mentor, along with family, to do the pinning and ceremony. At the end of the day it really should be up to the individual being promoted. The ceremony is for and about them, not the BC

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:36 PM

2015-12-28T22:36:46-05:00

As an old HHC Commander I offerred promotions to the CG. If he wanted he did them, otherwise I did them. As far as time/place of formation unless otherwise directed I decided that.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 11:50 PM

2015-12-28T23:50:58-05:00

Required, no.
But I never met a BC worth a damn that wouldn't WANT to be there.

Response by MAJ Tex Hall made Dec 29 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-12-29T09:59:02-05:00

First note is that I'm surprised that the CSM hasn't already been deeply involved on what happens with Senior NCOs promotions in his battalion. But to answer your question, the soldier usually has the biggest influence on who does the promotion. I would think the BN Cdr would be - and SHOULD be - there even while not "required" to be there by regulation.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 11:04 AM

2015-12-29T11:04:11-05:00

Just thought I'd ask something as it seems like maybe the tradition has changed since I was in. The E7 and above promotions that I attended were not done in front of a unit formation (company or battalion) but rather were done more like the way a field grade officer promotion was done. That would be in a conference room or large office space; the appropriate level commander would "MC' the ceremony, speaking about the NCO, his background and achievements, introduce special guests like parents, spouses or children in attendance. Then he would invite whoever the NCO wanted to pin on the rank (usually spouse, parent or a particular officer the NCO had worked with, or the Bn Cdr) up to the front, and announce "publish the order"; the S1 would read the order, the rank is pinned on, and then the NCO would give a little speech.

Is it more common now to do it in front of a formal formation, sort of like the way a change of command ceremony is held? I'd never seen one like that for a senior NCO promotion so I'm curious about that.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 29 at 2015 11:12 AM

2015-12-29T11:12:33-05:00

No. Ceremonies aren't even required either. They're just tradition. On the effective date of the orders, that individual IS that new rank. Anything else is just formality..

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Dec 29 at 2015 1:16 PM

2015-12-29T13:16:29-05:00

No it is not a requirement. Traditionally, because the BC is the signature authority on the orders, they are invited/informed when the ceremony is.

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Dec 29 at 2015 3:44 PM

2015-12-29T15:44:19-05:00

There is nothing in the Regs that states that but if I was on the Promotion Line and they were pinning E7 on me I would request my Highest Ranking Officer to hold that ceremony.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Dec 29 at 2015 7:55 PM

2015-12-29T19:55:29-05:00

I asked that my last three promotions be low key, informal and just my company involved. Short and sweet, no frills. Others should be promoted in a battalion sized formation in a more formal atmosphere. They should be publicly recognized unless they expressly request otherwise.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-12-29T20:16:36-05:00

I agree with everyone it would be nice to have the BN commander there but it can be the HHD Commander. My question to you is this a reserve unit or a NG unit? I only ask cause I know my BN where it is located the BN commander can't promote all his E6s to E7 cause of distance and he couldn't hold a BN wide promotion either unless he wanted Soldiers to wait once a year to get promoted by him

Response by CSM David Hopkins made Dec 29 at 2015 8:18 PM

2015-12-29T20:18:15-05:00

As you have already seen in many of the responses, there is no actual rule. I cannot tell you what to do but I can tell you what I do in my battalion. Because of the significance of the promotion from SSG to SFC (officially recognized as a Senior NCO) we ask the Soldier when they would like to have the ceremony in order for their family and friends to be present. I also ensure that the Battalion Commander is aware of the ceremony so that he can be there as well. It is that important. Myself and/or the BC do not have to do the actual promotion, they can have whomever they desire pin them. The promotion certificate is signed by the BC though and presented to them at the ceremony.
Personally if I were you, I would ask you CSM what it is he/she wants in conjunction with the soon to be promoted individuals. Maybe the CSM has a personal preference in these matters.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Dec 30 at 2015 8:18 AM

2015-12-30T08:18:02-05:00

Recommend you follow what your rarer/senior rater requests or your career may end sooner rather than later. Your call but I know what I would do.

Response by SSG Delanda Hunt made Dec 30 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-12-30T13:12:08-05:00

Really, does it matter.

Response by COL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 6:34 PM

2015-12-30T18:34:53-05:00

I actually leave the date up to the person that is getting promoted it is their promotion/Day. That way they can arrange the best time for their families to be there. There is no set protocol. As a BN Commander, I always try to be at a promotion regardless of rank, but I believe that the promoted soldier's desire for their family to be present trumps my schedule.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 31 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-12-31T12:44:13-05:00

I got my orders in the mail while on recruiting duty. Ceremony....who cared, had to make mission.

Response by LTC Del Clark made Dec 31 at 2015 11:57 PM

2015-12-31T23:57:37-05:00

Normally the Company level commander would hold a formation for multiple promotions in a centralized promotion at the company level... Have the HHD commander schedule the formation making sure the BN CDR and CSM are available to attend.