Battlefield Promotions Pilot program goes into effect

BALAD, IRAQ

07.30.2008

Story by Spc. Michael Behlin 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Are you an Army private, specialist or sergeant deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, working in a position of higher authority and looking for a way to get that hard earned promotion you deserve? Well look no further, the Army has implemented a pilot program for enlisted battlefield promotions.

Placed into effect April 1, 2008, the Enlisted Battlefield Promotions pilot is a one-year program designed to promote Soldiers, ranging from privates to sergeants. Soldiers that display an extraordinary performance of their duties while serving in combat or under combat situation can be promoted ahead of their peers.

"The battlefield promotion is an opportunity for a Soldier to be promoted that's working at a higher level of responsibility in a position than he/she is being paid for," said Command Sgt Maj. Willie Tennant, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) command sergeant major. "It gives him/her the opportunity to get promoted for the good work that they are doing as opposed to going to a promotion board and the normal process for promotion."

The intended purpose of this program is to establish authority to accelerate the promotion of extraordinary Soldiers who willingly perform at levels of increased responsibility on the battlefield. Battlefield promotions are based on a Soldiers performance of duties and leadership recommendations while serving in or under combat conditions. Soldiers must distinguish themselves from their peers by displaying exceptional leadership and a work performance that is expected of the next higher pay grade. This would apply to a private working in a specialist/corporal position and a sergeant working in a staff sergeant position.

Qualifications for battlefield promotions require that a Soldier be enlisted in Regular Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard and be assigned or attached to a unit participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. They must also display excellent performance of duties while serving in or under combat conditions.
Soldiers must be in a promotable status on the effective promotion date and are allowed only one battlefield promotion during their enlistment period.

"We have Soldiers out there that are doing great work for the active Army, Reserves and National Guard, who are working at a higher level than what they normally do," said Tennant. "What the Army is doing is recognizing Soldiers for their hard work in the battlefield."

While there may be many Soldiers eligible for this program, only a select few would be selected for promotion because the U.S. Army Human Resources Command only allocates a specific number of promotions for each unit. For Soldiers that are eligible, this means the process is very competitive with few available slots. Here's the process for battlefield promotions:

• A Soldier's first-line supervisor initiates the process by recommending a Soldier on their performance, which goes through the chain of command. A battlefield promotion packet, when completed, must include a letter of recommendation from the Multi-National Division/Brigade CSM.

• From this level, the packet goes to the Multi-National Corps-Iraq commanding general for final approval, rewarding the Soldier he believes is most deserving.

"Clearly this is an opportunity to promote a Soldier who's doing great things at their job without going through the normal board process," said Tennant. "With this program, Soldiers have the opportunity to get promoted ahead of their peers for doing outstanding work and I'm very interested in seeing how the whole process unfolds."
For more information on battlefield promotions, Soldiers should reference Milper Message 08-094 and/or contact their unit S1/G1and first sergeants.