Is the new lateral promotion from SPC to CPL automatic or would the SM have to wait for a 4187 to be approved?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 10:11:58 -0400

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 30 at 2021 10:18 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 10:18:22 -0400

4187 is still required.

Response by SGT Walter Drumm made Jun 30 at 2021 1:11 PM

SGT Walter Drumm — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:11:52 -0400

In my experience it was usually conferred to a SPC/4 who had been to or was awaiting the E-5 board and was already in a leadership slot or performing the duties of a Sergeant.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jun 30 at 2021 1:56 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:56:41 -0400

Good question.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jun 30 at 2021 2:02 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 14:02:35 -0400

4187 is required. The SM gets promoted to SPC and remains as a SPC until they go before the board and BLC, then they become (P) and their command should submit a 4187 for a lateral transfer to CPL.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2021 9:23 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 09:23:03 -0400

I understood it to mean automatic. The regulation didn't say will be promoted to. It said you are now this rank.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2021 9:35 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 09:35:17 -0400

Since the Big Army has decreed it, much like an automatic promotion, I don't think it needs a whole ceremony for a rank no one wants. Just like any rank, I think you should just be able to put it on once it's on your srb. Command teams tell soldiers that they have to be pinned before they can wear it, but that's not what regs say. They just want to feel good about themselves.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2021 8:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 20:27:12 -0400

DA 4187 for Lateral Appointment to Corporal must be submitted through your BN S1 prior to pinning rank. The 4187 must be accompanied with your SRB and BLC Certificate. Reason for SRB is to show that you are indeed promotable since some folks have gone through BLC with out having been to the promotion board. Directive 2021-17 states that Specialists must go through promotion board and BLC in order to be laterally promoted to Corporal. S1 will update eMilpo to show your new rank. Date of rank does not change from when you made Specialist since it is the same pay grade. I hope this helps.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 2 at 2021 11:41 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 11:41:07 -0400

As I have stated several time and will continue to believe, the Army made a great mistake when they got rid of the SPC ranks. Not everyone is a leader, and not everyone can be made a leader. There are those who are very proficient at their MOS but they are not leaders. There needs to remain a way for these soldiers to move up not out. Once the Army again realizes this fact, things will be much better off.