Will I get promoted after 21 years in the IRR?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 23:53:53 -0400

Yes, I was in the Inactive IIR until May 2017. Let me start by saying I had a full career as a USG employee retiring as a GS-15, SES qualified leading a staff of interagency partners with several joint assignments in and with DoD leading several O-5s/O-6s. As a result, I was asked to return to the USAR as an O-2 which is where I was when I left in 1996. I was eligible for O-3 in 2000 but wasn’t considered as I was designated a a “Key USG Employee” and Inactive. My question is simple, I was always a top performer and recommended for company command in 1996 when I left for the IIR and still highly regarded by my current Commander. I’m in an O-3 position now but leading ad-hoc for my Commander in an O-5 capacity. The skill set I have from my USG career is unique and highly sought by my unit, hence is how I’m at SOCOM. My question is this, are my chances good to be promoted to O-3 despite my long stay in the Inactive IIR? I’ve been to IOBC, completed Phases 1 and 2 for my CCC, have two Masters degrees; an MBA and MS from the National War College. Thoughts; will I be promoted this Fall?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 12:01 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 00:01:32 -0400

I'm on the phone with the retired full bird colonel who did 30 years active duty. He said it would be really stupid for them not to keep you and not promote you with the experience you have and your academic qualification. Especially in today's u.s. military expansion required after Resurgence of Russia, China and Iran, what I'm saying is that people like you need to be brought back into the fold and promoted.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jul 8 at 2018 12:29 AM

LTC John Mohor — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 00:29:53 -0400

If memory serves there's a way to restart your clock so to speak. I'd try to find a real HR professional like a senior NCO or Warrant Officer to help look up the regulations

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 8 at 2018 1:35 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 01:35:21 -0400

Lot of woulda, coulda, shoulda here. I've seen rare cases it has been done and sat a number of boards. Promotion stuff would be found in the Secretary's precepts which stipulates how people get promoted. Pay close attention to IRR section. Boards (and commands for very junior level) follow that and the other relevant directives. In that paper are special procedures for which authority typically isn't delegated to the boards, but a package can be sent up to the Secretariat. Example was we had a German Shrink that naturalized. He was cutting edge at the time on what was later given the name PTSD. He was an instant O-6 for a few years and then shifted east to Bethesda/Walter Reed. Lost track of him by then. He never did figure that uniform thing out. There was a compelling reason to put him in in uniform for a while.

All that said is I'm leery of nonselect due to being a key anything. Either they followed the process and got that result, or screwed up and got that result. That excuse violates the many years of precepts I've seen. In my years of board an promotion experience, we had IRRs, but they had limited MIL track record, hence were noncompetitive. IRRs tended to camp out until they faded away. I also retired as a GS-15/7. I was "key senior GS" for a long time but that never interfered with my reserve promotions. That really didn't matter because the same Flag owned me both ways so it was a choice of being more effective in or out of uniform, or in most cases, legal. Don't be surprised if you see a lot of local heart and desire fading quickly as things get near the Beltway. Too many rabbit holes to take my knowledge deeper so I'll stop now.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 3:14 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 03:14:26 -0400

IRR = Individual Ready Reserve
Not inactive.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 7:50 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 07:50:24 -0400

Interesting question as this could affect my future too since I hope to commission eventually. Also would this mean I could go from E3 to E4 while in the IRR so long as I continue to meet standards?

Response by GySgt Daniel Loeffler made Jul 11 at 2018 11:15 PM

GySgt Daniel Loeffler — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 23:15:16 -0400

Since I served in the Marines and Army but was moved to IRR Am I a GySgt or SFC

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2019 12:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 12:57:08 -0500

Did you end up getting promoted yet CPT Private RallyPoint Member? For the USAR, promotion to CPT is nearly 100% if you don't have any Bad OERs or DWI or other negative things in your file. The only thing might be that big break in service, but for CPT it should not matter I don't think.

We had a 1LT Promoted to CPT in one of my old units who had some serious issues that I won't get into, but he was a non-participant and still was promoted to CPT. The Command kind of went easy on him, so the promotion went through.

I would recommend looking up your Army Reserve Careers Division- Career Manager and calling them to see what else you can do to ensure promotion. They can help you adjust your date of rank if needed to ensure promotion. Every TPU Soldier has a Career Manager even if they've never talked with them. Use the following link & find your TPU Career Manager from the link below:
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Army%20Reserve%20Officer%20Directory

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Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 AskHRC

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2019 5:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 17:00:46 -0400

Did you ever get promoted CPT Private RallyPoint Member?? - You need to contact your Army Reserve Career Manager if you haven't done so yet- for your Branch & ask them that question. Every TPU Soldier has a career manager- Go to the https://hrc.army.mil & log into the site- click on the Officer Tab at the top, & then on Army Reserve Careers Division (ARCD). They should have someone there who can help you, perhaps you'll need to get your TIG adjusted so it doesn't present a problem for the board... just trying to think of ways to help.

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