Posted on Jan 18, 2021
What is the proper use of the "(P)" promotable after one's rank?
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What is the proper use of the "(P)" promotable after one's rank? I think it is most often being used incorrectly. I think folks are using it when they meet the conditions for promotion, but really are not on a promotion list waiting for a slot to be moved into to accept the grade/rank.
I recall being told in BOLC (correspondence instruction), that (P) should only really be used in the cases where the position the officer is in is for a rank above his/her's but the (P) effectively means they have that required authority to execute the duties of the position.
For instance, while as a Sr.Rater that was a 1LT at the time, all my comments had to be checked by a reviewer that was a CPT+, with the exception if I was 1LT(P).
So where I am going with this is I see it being used a lot at the lower ranks LT's and SGTs. But in those situations one doesn't even know they are on a promotion list long enough to merit using (P) before POOF they literally are promoted.
When I got SGT, POOF I just got orders. My name wasn't floating around on a list. When I got 1LT POOF I just got orders and there wasn't a list floating around.
When I got CPT, yes, there was a list, but it only took about a month to get the promotion order. So it was a really narrow period of time I would "correspond" with (P).
I do understand MAJ+ using (P) because I have seen those positions in limbo before they land somewhere they can accept the grade.
I recall being told in BOLC (correspondence instruction), that (P) should only really be used in the cases where the position the officer is in is for a rank above his/her's but the (P) effectively means they have that required authority to execute the duties of the position.
For instance, while as a Sr.Rater that was a 1LT at the time, all my comments had to be checked by a reviewer that was a CPT+, with the exception if I was 1LT(P).
So where I am going with this is I see it being used a lot at the lower ranks LT's and SGTs. But in those situations one doesn't even know they are on a promotion list long enough to merit using (P) before POOF they literally are promoted.
When I got SGT, POOF I just got orders. My name wasn't floating around on a list. When I got 1LT POOF I just got orders and there wasn't a list floating around.
When I got CPT, yes, there was a list, but it only took about a month to get the promotion order. So it was a really narrow period of time I would "correspond" with (P).
I do understand MAJ+ using (P) because I have seen those positions in limbo before they land somewhere they can accept the grade.
Posted in these groups: 
Promotions
Officer
Promotions Officer
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 16
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I think doing this at all is <eyeroll>, however it makes some sense for Majors close to Lt Col and a command selection, and perhaps for the senior-most NCO rank before StaffNCO selection.
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You’d think they’d have a regulation that covered this. Maybe something like preparing and managing correspondence or something. It would settle all these debates and stuff.
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CPT (Join to see), All of the answers you've gotten are correct, including for the Reserve Component. As you review NCOERs and OERs, you will undoubtedly encounter these, and you'll have to coach those Soldiers that they're not promotable.
From AR 623-3, Table 2-1:
1 A promotable officer or NCO (signified on the OER and NCOER by placing a “P” after the current rank) is one who is on a promotion list (or selected for attendance to USASMA) and is currently serving in a position authorized for the next higher rank or grade. (See para 2–11 for ARNG-specific requirements.)
From AR 623-3, Table 2-1:
1 A promotable officer or NCO (signified on the OER and NCOER by placing a “P” after the current rank) is one who is on a promotion list (or selected for attendance to USASMA) and is currently serving in a position authorized for the next higher rank or grade. (See para 2–11 for ARNG-specific requirements.)
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Good morning Sir. I never used the word promotable after a person rank despite if they were on the list no matter enlisted or officer. Some people take the promotable word to the extreme. Like someone told me back in the day before I joined, (P) doesn't mean promotable, it means (P) Possibility. Guess what happens if you fail APFT, get a DUI, fail NCOES, fail HT/WT, etc?? That (P)ossibility of being promoted to the next rank is gone out the window. Once a person is actually pinned the next rank, I will refer to them as such, but if not, I will address by current rank.
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