Making sense of the Army’s Battalion Command selection.

2015-11-30T11:21:48-05:00

Rally Point members. If you're in the Army, do you understand the Army's Battalion Command selection process? This doesn't apply to me, but for those of you in the Army, I thought you might be interested in this article. It breaks down how their selections are made. You may already know about this. If you do, move along. (-:
And now for the rest of the story:
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The Army’s centralized selection list process explained.

http://taskandpurpose.com/making-sense-of-the-armys-battalion-command-selection/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tp-today

Making Sense Of The Army’s Battalion Command Selection

The Army’s centralized selection list process explained.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 11:28 AM

2015-11-30T11:28:33-05:00

Very informative.
I was following along until I got to the "only officers of the highest caliber are selected for O-5 and O-6 command".
If only.

Can't win 'em all.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 30 at 2015 4:20 PM

2015-11-30T16:20:10-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member - Having served on a couple of battalion command selection boards, I can attest that the article is pretty close to being completely accurate. It is a fair process, but, like all boards, members are under tremendous time constraints to review files and make judgments that impact the lives and careers of those under consideration. A very similar process takes place for brigade command selection.

One thing I will note is that there is more "involvement" in slating (deciding where an officer is assigned) than the article acknowledges. Between the time the selections are made and the list/slating is released, input goes to HRC (whether they want it or not) from a variety of sources.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Nov 30 at 2015 6:15 PM

2015-11-30T18:15:24-05:00

Thank you for sharing. This is the kind of professional development information that was once shared by mentors, but is now seen as a "black box" as OPD becomes more and more CYA.

I knew and understood MOST (but not all) of the information in the article before. For those who are selected for a BN command, comparing what you requested in the CPD list to what you got can give you important G2 on your relative ranking in your peer group. (Traditional Reservists see their actual OML listing for promotion somewhere between never and not at all.) Of course, if you compete and aren't selected, that tells you something too...

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 6:31 AM

2015-12-01T06:31:29-05:00

This article is good, but does not go deep enough into the process. An important aspect it neglects is being named an alternate. While you can only be named a primary on a single list (infantry, maneuver, CA, etc.) you can be the alternate on multiple lists. If the list is published and you were not selected, you may still have a chance if the primary cannot or will not serve. I received my CA battalion command as an alternate. If you get a strange call in the middle of the night offering you command take it! I have an official OPD that I regularly give to my units on this process. If anyone sends me a request from your .mil address to mine, I will give you a copy. No narration, but I think it is fairly self-explanatory and you can always ask me questions.

Response by COL John Rosnow made Dec 1 at 2015 11:32 PM

2015-12-01T23:32:34-05:00

Thanks for sharing. It was quite timely as well. The CY16 US Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Command Selections were just released today.