What would cause a soldier to not get promoted to E3 or E4?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 20:01:52 -0400

There is a soldier in my guard unit who has good PT, no negative counseling’s that he has mentioned and is well liked soldier but after three years of being in the Army he is still only a PV2. His peers are all SPC or CPL. Is there anything he can do to finally get his promotion?

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 25 at 2021 8:36 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 20:36:38 -0400

Either there is something wrong with their profile in the system and they need to address the issue with S-1 or there is more to the story than they are willing to tell you and they know exactly why they aren't getting promoted

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2021 9:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 21:12:39 -0400

Promotion to SPC is automatic unless there is an underlying issue. I have learned that you really have to take what a person says at face value. Soldiers seldom admit to their shortcomings. But something had to happen to prevent that from happening. I have a feeling that he is flagged for something and he is not telling you.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2021 9:27 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 21:27:51 -0400

The most common reasons are:
APFT flag
HT WT flag
adverse action flag
ADCO flag
commander investigation flag
law enforcement flag
the unit failing to submit the flag lift when it's over
JAG taking 12+ months to review flag lifts
and unit failing to complete the advancement 4187

If your friend does not have a flag, then it's the last reason.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2021 1:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 01:47:50 -0400

I'm going to go with SGM Private RallyPoint Member final reason of the unit not filling out the 4187. This happens a whole lot more than it should on active duty in combat arms units. Most likely, the Soldier was flagged for some reason when it was time for automatic advancement so he didn't get promoted at that time. The good news is that it's a very easy fix. The commander only needs to fill out a 4187 with the correct date of advancement for each rank. The S1 makes the change in emilpo and sends copies to DFAS and the Soldier receives all the back pay

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2021 5:09 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:09:18 -0400

Good answers here and SGM Private RallyPoint Member and SFC Private RallyPoint Member are on point. If he has no flag or the flag should be lifted, this is a more common issue than it should be for things that are "automatic".

E1 - E4 are automatic, Good Conduct Medals and ARCAM's are automatic, certain service awards are automatic. The problem with "automatic" is that it means you're supposed to get it if you meet the criteria, but someone still has to initiate it. In this case a 4187.

I filled out my own 4187 and put it on my SL's desk in his inbox, he asked me if I was up for promotion and I confirmed. He checked the dates and sent it to the commander, done and done. A lot of junior Soldiers don't, but you need to track your own dates and metrics. Is it your TL or SL's responsibility? Yes, but they have other responsibilities that you are not typically tracking, and a helpful reminder goes a long way.

This Soldier needs to address his promotion with his NCO chain and S1 if he's not flagged or if the flag needs to be lifted. Or whatever other issue may be in play.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2021 8:12 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 08:12:43 -0400

Thank you all for the feedback. I’ll reach out to him and see what we can do to help him

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2021 8:55 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 08:55:29 -0400

I'm betting there is a skeleton in that closet that you weren't told about that is the reason he is still a PV2 after 3 years. You don't quite miss out on 2 advancements in 3 years without some paperwork on you. I feel as though there is more to the story you're being told.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2021 9:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:09:48 -0400

Like with the active component, advancement from E3 to E4 is automatic unless he is flagged. His career, or more likely, his time, in the guard is his to control. If he isnt seeking out the problems with his promotion, he likely shouldnt be promoted. Kudos on trying to find an answer, but the fact that your friend isnt hounding the chain of command on this and making waves to get it fixed tells me there is mpre to it that perhaps he didnt tell you.
Also "being well liked" or not, should never be a factor in promotion, they either meet the criteria or dont.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 26 at 2021 12:44 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 12:44:21 -0400

They had to have done something wrong, cause their name would come up every time the promotion roster came out from S1. And there is a point/time where the unit has to actually tell S1 why they are not promotable.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2021 1:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 13:18:38 -0400

Has this soldier addressed this with their NCOs or chain of command? I mean, if it was me I'd have asked awhile ago.

Response by SFC Don Ward made Jul 27 at 2021 4:55 PM

SFC Don Ward — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 16:55:11 -0400

Three years and still PV2?? Something going on that he is not telling.

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Jul 27 at 2021 5:30 PM

SGT Erick Holmes — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 17:30:13 -0400

Could be that there is no slot for him at the current unit. Being a former CTARNG I and other members ran into that problem. Had all the points that I needed. A good Soldier all around just wasn't a slot in the unit and didn't have enough points to go to a different unit. But there are ways to get around that as well.

Response by SFC Kenneth G. made Jul 28 at 2021 6:20 AM

SFC Kenneth G. — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 06:20:16 -0400

I think he needs to be talking to his leaders about a promotion. E-1 to E-4 are automatic but it has to be submitted by the commander/First Sergeant to the Admin section to initiate the process. Obviously the command section has dropped the ball on this and the PVT should have called them out on it long ago.

Response by CMSgt Marcus Falleaf made Jul 28 at 2021 9:03 AM

CMSgt Marcus Falleaf — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 09:03:14 -0400

I have found that many times there are underlying circumstances that are kept confidential that have hindered promotions at this level. One individual was having financial issues, another was having personal problems with unit relationships. You just never know, sometimes. It is kept between the member and supervisors.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Jul 28 at 2021 5:50 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:50:20 -0400

Simple. Substandard performance. If not, the soldier would have a legitimate IG complaint. What you do not mention, is whether or not the soldier as approached his chain-of-command about HIS/HER issue.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 8:23 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 20:23:40 -0400

If there’s something he’s hiding from us, which it sounds like there is, that’s on him. But there’s a number of us who would like to help our battle buddy. Thank you all for your honesty and valued input!