Posted on Jul 29, 2020
SGT Suraj Dave
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In my time, I noticed FTR and out of ranks were used interchangeably for a soldier missing formation for an unknown reason. My leadership before me used it interchangeably, and I did also. The response from 1SG at formation was always "Find him".

Is there a difference and one of them is being use inappropriately or is out of ranks just the more formal way to say FTR?
Posted in these groups: A39b6021 Formation
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Responses: 5
SFC Robert Walton
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Edited >1 y ago
I am old school so things may have changed but Out Of Ranks Means i know where they are and can account for them, FTR is just that they did not show up for formation and i have NO idea where they are at this time because they have not called or reported for formation. I only used the term of absent once and after a one sided conversation with the 1st shirt i mentally erased absent from my report.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
>1 y
This is what makes sense to me.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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To me, they have meant the same thing. FTR is the formal way I would use for the written counseling and Out of Ranks is what I use at formation.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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Edited >1 y ago
There is a difference between the two.

Out of ranks: Not in formation, but I know where you are.

Failure to Report: We have no clue where you are.
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Out of ranks vs. FTR (Failure to report)?
SSG Roger Ayscue
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I always used the term "Absent" if I did not know where the Soldier was. Out of ranks implies that you know where he is. My opinion only though
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SSG Paul Headlee
SSG Paul Headlee
>1 y
Me too. If contact with a barracks inspection was likely or imminent I might have 2 or 3 soldiers doing last minute tightening while the rest of us stood formation. If I happened to be the PSG I would report present or accounted for. As a SL I would be expected to provide an accurate description so "out of ranks" is a catch all and means he's not there and didn't check with me first, technically AWOL.
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MAJ Staff Crna
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Back in my NCO days we would report with “3 out of ranks and accounted for” or “one FTR” or “one unaccounted for”.
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