What does the (P) mean after someones rank? I understand that it means promotable, but what significance does it have?

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 10:54:39 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 12:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 12:10:37 -0400

Nothing. In my experience, Soldiers and officers that write the (P) are insecure. In most cases, they remain in the position of the lower rank.

USAF seems to be the worst about it. Instead of “Major promotable,” they write “Lieutenant Colonel select.” That’s just pompous.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 1:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 13:35:38 -0400

Being promotable is a status, nothing else. Rank and position matter. For example a SPC holding a NCOIC position will dictate what a SPC(P) has to do.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 3:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 15:22:53 -0400

In my case, it means that you have been selected for promotion to the next rank and you are waiting for the paper train to wind it's way through the system and get promotion orders cut. Personally, I would never refer to myself as MAJ(P). After 16 years, I can wait a couple more months and just change it to LTC.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 7:13 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 19:13:18 -0400

It means that person is promotable and it is an official thing despite what some may think/say. In the active Regular Army, this means you have been selected and are in a promotable status and are just awaiting official promotion orders. In the Reserves I believe its the same. However, in the National Guard, the Promotable (P) status for enlisted doesn't exist (unless the NGB memorandum I read about it years ago has been changed and I am unaware of it). It does exist for officers in the guard though, as all officers are federal, and takes on a slightly different meaning in that, you *will* be promoted soon barring any unlikely circumstances. However, to be an officer (including warrant officers) in the guard and to have a (P) after your rank requires that you have already been promoted within your state and are just awaiting the FEDREC process to complete to get your federal promotion orders.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 7:28 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 19:28:12 -0400

Attaching tbe (p) to an official signature block can legitimize a decision made by a Soldier of a lower grade that is occupying the slot. For example, some decision may require an O6 signature, but if the approving authority is in promotable status, and is technically still an O5, attaching the - p is used here.

Generally, for most situations, such as a social media site, it is only a source of pride

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 28 at 2019 9:32 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:32:51 -0400

It's a status not a rank.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2019 2:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 02:40:00 -0400

In addition to what SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" said, it can also mean the difference in the qualification to pull Staff Duty Officer, Staff Duty NCO, or CQ duties.

On NCOERs, if a Soldier is promotable and filling a position authorized for the next higher grade, the (P) will show up on their NCOER, giving them rated time at that position.

(P) status also used to have different Retention Control Points (RCP) for each rank. RCP being the limit a Soldier can stay in the Army based on their rank. I don't remember the exact older dates, but for example, at some point a SGT(P) was authorized to remain in the military longer than a regular SGT. That since changed though.

On the internet, the (P) status is similarly as useful as displaying ones current/retired rank; outside of official correspondence, it signals certain career milestones and experience, such as: A SSG(P) can give a better perspective on what it takes to get selected for SFC versus a regular SSG who has yet to be selected.

I've never seen anyone try to use it in an unauthorized method of authority exertion.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 29 at 2019 3:12 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 03:12:00 -0400

Technically it means nothing as the tribe has already spoken. However, it plays out differently in the Navy O ranks. The (sel) that someone else says or writes (you never do it) signifies that sometime within a year, that officer will pin on the next rank. It means that officer skated the short and long program so you better understand they're likely performing at the higher level. It's also a warning to others to tread more softly lest a long memory nails you later on. It becomes more vague when the member is frocked. Usually it's because they're transferred to a billet of the higher rank. I've never been frocked as it was out of vogue when I moved up. Probably the time it meant more to others was between O-5 and O-6. It meant that I would be taking on "Big C" command jobs and we are a small community. The brown nosing soon commenced as SMs would start lobbying for their next jobs too. It's just part of the regular dynamic.

Response by CWO4 Brook Kelsey made Jun 29 at 2019 3:20 AM

CWO4 Brook Kelsey — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 03:20:01 -0400

“Position only”

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2019 1:00 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 13:00:46 -0400

Typically you will see it in the guard with Officer who have been selected for promotion and are awaiting the federal recognition or when an officer is holding a position that a higher rank typically holds ie 1LT(P) as a company commander.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2019 8:12 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 20:12:15 -0400

Question: in the Navy, when we are picked by the board for promotion, but before the pin on date, we can write (for official use only, not for bragging rights) the next rank and then (sel). For instance, when I was an LT and was selected, before I pinned on I did a change of command and in the program I was LCDR (sel) xxxxxxxxxxx, not LT xxxxxxxxxxxx.
But as Im looking through responses, i may have lost the ball for a moment. Army does your CURRENT rank with (p)? So if you are picked by the board, you would no longer be CPT but CPT (P)?
Sry, confused and curious.

Response by SPC Rob Smith made Sep 1 at 2021 11:43 AM

SPC Rob Smith — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 11:43:59 -0400

I received that (P) after i completed PLDC
and the e5 board, became spec 4 P... allowing me to reach points for access to more schools

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2021 1:29 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:29:24 -0400

I faced that as a Plt Sgt. What do you call a SSgt selectee? Sergeant. I did make a concession by letting the Sgt fall in formations with SNCOs rather than as a Squad Leader.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Sep 1 at 2021 4:44 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 16:44:25 -0400

No longer know many of designations used in a woke military. P COULD INDICATE PERMANENT RANK,