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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

“Position only”