Why was I taken off promotion list, and what can I do to fix this situation?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 13:56:36 -0500

So I graduated BLC back in March 2018 and was on the promotion list before I went when I had SSD1 done. I have been to SAWE and Field Sanitation since and assist Cadre at SAWE every course since. But the most recent promotion list has come out and my name is not on it. My Leadership is aware and are trying to figure out why. I have done some research and found that if any soldier is taken off they have to be informed and given documentation for the reason. The source I used is AR 600-8-19 section 7 paragraph 3-28 A (first sentence). Any guidance on what I can do as an E-4 to fix this situation. The National Guard is my life and I’m getting close to my ETS date and being shafted this many times is affecting my career and any chance I have on getting my promotion while also making me second guess if I’d like to extend. Also I have only ever been given a negative counseling statement and nothing more and that was only once. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated as I’m sure my Leadership has better things to do and I do not wish to consistently bug them about this situation. Thank you all ahead of time if you choose to respond and I do not get a chance to thank you in a timely manner.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 16 at 2020 2:08 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:08:22 -0500

You need to keep bogging your CoC; respectfully of course. Also, I would, if it was me, do an IG inquiry.

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Jan 16 at 2020 2:20 PM

LTC Wayne Brandon — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:20:19 -0500

The job of your immediate leaders and those in the PAC is to take care of the soldier - that means you. Don't be shy about this; if you've earned it, then make them provide you with an explanation or make your request to go higher in the chain. I assure you, someone will take notice and do the right thing. All the best, SPC Bright!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2020 2:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:48:31 -0500

How long have you been promotable? I had an issue as a jr enlisted many years ago, 2 years on the promotable list with not adding any points gets you dropped from the list. But if it wasnt that then someone may have messed up paperwork.. keep talking to your leadership till someone can answer as to what and why.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Jan 16 at 2020 3:07 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:07:56 -0500

I can't speak directly about the Guard since I have active duty and Reserve time. But in my experience if you haven't been directly identified as pulled for the promotion list and yet your name is not on it it can be for a variety of reasons. I remember something about two years being the max to sit on a list before it goes away, it could also mean someone had a brain fart and didn't update the list with your name etc. It could also be because of points and as I remember it was 300 points for SGT (11B) and 350 points for SSG (11B). If you have notified your unit and your S-1 doesn't have info for you I would make the suggestion that you request to be boarded again rather than wait and see just to find out there is nothing you can do.
Also I would do my best to earn additional points even do more correspondence courses etc. As for your COC, it is the nature of their job to take care of their troops and right wrongs as well as mentor the young troops through the ranks. None of this should wait until your next drill. You should have full time staff that can find out whats wrong and what you and them can do to fix this.
I could bore you to death with all the crap I had to deal with going up through the ranks as well as fixing my troops issues with boards and promotions but I would highly recommend using your first line leader on up through the chain. I would also recommend keeping a calm Coll and respectful head the whole time as this will only help you rather than cause some folks to actual screw you over.
Lastly based upon all the time I have served as a line dog get used to monumental Snafu's and minor ones as it is a way of life in the Infantry and helps build character and teaches you how to help your troops one day. If everything went smooth all the time we would all be lost when it doesn't . Good luck.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 16 at 2020 3:32 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:32:30 -0500

It should be a reasonably easy thing for the company for Sgt to get with us one and see what is listed as the justification code for your removal

Assuming your direct commander didn’t request removal and your first sergeant is also not aware that would be my first step once I figured out the justification reason I would see who has authority and ability to implement removal based on that.
I’d also be very surprised if the S one or G one cannot on the back in C not only what they justify

I’d also be very surprised if the S1 or G1 cannot on the backend see not only what the removal justification code is but who submitted it if not an actual digital copy of the document used to submit removal paperwork.

The other possibility of coarse is the system shows no justification at all because it wasn’t done intentionally that actually might be the harder thing to get fixed and unfortunately it may not be a quick thing.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2020 3:34 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:34:03 -0500

Lots of USARNG here, so good luck. No impact or idea here.

Response by MAJ Michael Cummings made Jan 16 at 2020 4:49 PM

MAJ Michael Cummings — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 16:49:50 -0500

The National Guard is a different beast than that of AD. I know this very well since most of my career was back and forth riding orders in the NG and being a regular mday soldier.

You mentioned a negative counseling, when was that? It is very easy for a CDR to remove someone from the promotion list in the NG and sometimes it could just be based on personalities. I would definitely work your CoC and not skip around. The IG is useless as the NG IG is not the DOD or Army IG. If you go the IG route all the CDR has to say is that you have reached your promotion potential and site the negative counseling.

Before you give up on everything, don't forget you can ETS/reenlist into the reserve component. Yes you will have to reclass but you could finish a career.

I finished my career in the reserves and found that there is less good 'ol boy syndrome there than that in the NG.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2020 5:54 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 17:54:47 -0500

Did you sign your 4100 and verify it was correct prior to the deadline for the board? If the board did not receive your 4100 then your packet would not have been boarded. Was your last APFT more than 14 months old by the board date? If so, your packet won’t be boarded. Do you have an APFT or ht/wt failure? If so, your packet won’t be boarded. You should have reviewed and signed your packet prior to board submission. Your 1SG and Commander sign of on that packet. Talk to your SL, PSG and readiness NCO. They should be able to get you the reason your name is not on the list. Your BN S1 will have a master list of every packet that went to the board and whether they were boarded or not. Ask your readiness NCO to check with S1. Mistakes get made, if that’s the case with your packet you can be boarded by a standby board and placed on the list. Utilize your chain of command and you can get to the bottom of this.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 16 at 2020 7:19 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 19:19:25 -0500

The why is mute, The Who is your Company Command and BN PAC. Th and you for your service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2020 8:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 08:38:28 -0500

The fact that you were on the list last year but not this year tells me that most likely your packet did not make it to the board. The response you received from 1SG Private RallyPoint Member is spot on and accurate to the ARNG promotion system.

The portion of AR 600-8-19 that is relevant for you is Chapter 7, Section VI, 7-33 a. this reads very much the same as your original citation. I mention this because while doctrine is consistent between the National Guard and Active Component, frequently there is variance in the regulation.

Response by SGT David Whitley made Apr 3 at 2020 1:22 AM

SGT David Whitley — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 01:22:06 -0400

Been there.
Do some casual digging around and make some connections with your Battalion S1 clerk first chance you get. I had promotion related issues for over a year when I was in the Guard and no amount of “pushing it up the chain” did any good. I finally made a connection with the S1 shop where I learned that they were managing promotion lists with an Excel sheet. “Someone” without Excel knowledge tried to filter and sort to add “flags” and mistakenly flagged several otherwise eligible soldiers. Once that was pointed out, the spreadsheet keeper literally just pressed “delete” on one cell and all my “don’t know, we’ve asked Battalion” problems just disappeared.
Not saying that’s your situation, but it never hurts to establish your own cross-unit relationships when an unknown “they” are standing between you and what you’ve earned. Give “them” a face and a name.
It used to be what the E4 mafia was all about.

Response by SSG Michael Cookson made May 7 at 2020 7:42 PM

SSG Michael Cookson — Thu, 07 May 2020 19:42:23 -0400

Did you make sure that your ERB has been updated with current PT test and scores along with passing HW. Also make sure you have a current and valid weapons qualification on your ERB. If the time is too long you would be dropped.