Will I lose my rank if I was auto-promoted into a DS Unit, but will need to transfer out into the IMA Program after only 5 months?

SSG Shad Toliver — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:47:41 -0400

I was already in the process of trying to get into the IMA Program when I got automatically promoted to E6 without putting in a packet. I got accepted into the IMA program and tried transferring out but the unit is telling me I need to decline my promotion and go back to my old unit and transfer to IMA that way. Is there a way around this since I never put in a packet to begin with? I even told them I would stay my year and they are telling me that even if I did that I am required to go to DS School to keep my rank and the thing is I have a major shoulder injury with a profile that would of prevented that and they knew about that when I first got transferred in.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2020 1:05 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 01:05:20 -0400

Let me ask SGM Steve Wettstein CSM Charles Hayden SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSG Carlos Madden LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2020 1:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 01:32:22 -0400

Someone asked a very similar question on here a while back. They were conditionally promoted in a DS position and had to leave. They had to give up their rank.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Oct 3 at 2020 6:54 AM

CSM Eric Biggs — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 06:54:24 -0400

You mentioned a profile, is it permanent? You can’t be a Drill Sergeant with a permanent profile, they know this. If you are willing to stay for the year to keep your new rank, I know there are places they can use you. I hate when “leaders” stand in the way of Soldiers plans and career progression, this is not leadership! If they are not going to work with you or help you transfer to the IMA position you were approved for, I would call HRC and talk to your IMA coordinator. Where is this DS Unit? I still have a lot of contacts in that world.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2020 10:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 22:39:43 -0400

Conditional Promotion is for E4s to E5 with the condition to keep rank being completion of DS qualification.

You have a traditional promotion issue. The losing commander can choose to let you transfer and keep your rank if the gaining element has a E6 slot to put you in.

It happened to me. It says on your orders that “failure to” .... blah blah blah, “may result” in what amounts to going back to your previous rank. But the “may” is the operative word.

That’s the commander’s choice. Mine allowed me to keep my rank and I transferred out after eight months. The transfer was started at five months, so...

Best of luck