Why doesn't the Army Frock all of its Senior NCO? The Navy frock theirs. Why are we still in the past?

A few thoughts on frocking.
- Purpose/summary. Basically a frocking gives an officer/NCO the authority to wear the rank, in some cases obtain the authorities of the rank, but not receive the pay.
- Definition. Frocking is a US military term for commissioned or non commissioned officer selected for promotion wearing the insignia of the higher grade before the official date of promotion (the "date of rank").
- Authorizations. There are approval levels, requirements and Congressional limitations on frockings. In other words, a Soldier can not be frocked just because they are promotable. Restrictions include but not limited to: on approved/confirmed promotion list, not flagged (suspension of favorable personnel actions), not entitled to higher pay/allowances, authority to wear grade of rank will not be recorded in official orders.
- Why doesn't the Army frock all of its senior NCOs? See above. Just because a frocking is technically authorized does not mean it is required in a certain situation or position. We frock because it is needed, not wanted.

I was selected for promotion about four months before putting on the second star. In the meantime I was an E-8. It was worth waiting for. besides who the frock cares?

Frocking has been in and out of vogue on the Navy side. It was always "out" whenever I was selected. For the most part frocking is limited to those who are placed in a higher ranked billet. We see that all the time when they frock Captains to Admiral when they assume the Flag billet. So you get the responsibility without the pay bump. For officers, their UCMJ authority doesn't increase until officially promoted. Frocking has a long history aboard ship. You put on the rank, you were in charge of more things and people, and that was it. I would expect to see an incoming SEL frocked.

Thanks there are some great responses. I understand the proceedures invovled and lets be honest with ourselves. The moment a person gets picked up unit start using the at a different level. How many time do we get a tasker for an E7 and all of a sudden an E6P is thrown in. The response is then "well he/she are promotable." This happens often.

You will not have to worry about budgetary issues because they are paid once their number hit. E6(P) and above can get the experience without delay.

Greetings. My son is in the Navy, and was Frocked a while back. I looked it up, and the tradition started back in the days of sail, when a U.S. Navy ship would encounter another one, and have orders for the transfer of one of the officers. To replace him, one of the senior enlisted would be Frocked. That is, the officer being transferred would take off his coat ( only officers had them, could afford them ) and give it to the senior enlisted man, designating him now an officer. So , in fact , today's Frocking in more of an anacronism than something of the present. It is a means of saving the military money, while getting qualified men into positions they are needed in. This is my humble understsanding of Frocking.

I don't understand the point. In my experience, soldiers know who their leaders are and seniors also know who their subordinate leaders are. This happens regardless of wearing actual rank appropriate to the position with assumed (p) or wearing the rank after promotion

Pretty simple really, they get you to do the job of a senior person and don't have to pay you. I did 18 months as a First Sergeant deployed to Iraq, my promotion. Packed was jacked up, hard to fix shit in shit hole Iraq. Anyway I said F it and retired when I got back. Non deployable getting promoted that was the travesty of the system. It's ok I am so much better off now :)

Remember that s/he that is in charge is normally placed there by date of rank. If you are a frocked E-8 in charge of a section and a date of rank E-8 shows up then you have a small problem. I have in my past life been Frocked 3 times and it is difficult to say the least. A true story. I was an E-7 P in the first gulf war. I was given a company on short notice and frocked to 1sgt. There were 4 E-8s in the company that not only out ranked me but knew me as well. It was very difficult for them to understand. Especially when it came to following instruction. It is better to have the position and maintain your rank.

One word, Tradition !