Rank Promotion and Reduction Guidelines
| This is the Document Release Information | |
| Article Number: | 7CAV-R-005 |
| Scope: | Enlisted, Noncommissioned, and Officer Promotion and Reduction Guidelines |
| Version: | Version 1.0.2 |
| Effective Date: | ***DRAFT*** |
| Last Modified Date: | DDMMMYYYY |
| Approving Authority: | Regimental Commanding Officer |
| Point of Contact: | Regimental Chief of Staff |
Chapter 1 Introduction
Section I: Overview
Purpose
This regulation prescribes the enlisted, noncommissioned, and officer promotions and reductions function within the 7th Cavalry Regiment (7CAV). It provides principles support, standards of service, policies, tasks, rules, and steps governing all work required in the field to support promotions and reductions of ranks. It provides the objectives of the 7CAV’s promotion system which includes filling authorized billets with the best qualified member. Additionally, the system precludes promoting the member who is not productive or not the best qualified, thus providing an equitable system for all members.
Responsibilities
- a. The Regimental Command Staff (Regimental Commander and Executive Officer) will serve as the senior officials on matters concerning promotions, and will provide supervision of promotion policy formulation, procedures, goals, system and standards.
- b. The Regimental Chief of Staff (COS) will be responsible for the implementation of this regulation within the Regiment. Furthermore, the COS will supervise promotion functions prescribed in this regulation and serve as the final promotion authority for all combat units and departments.
- c. Unit Commanders will support and follow these regulations and will carry out promotions as delegated to them by the COS as established by this regulation.
Section II: Principles and Standards
Principles of Support
The 7CAV Command Staff will provide a centralized process for promotion to all grades from Private to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). Promotion of grades above LTC will be made by Regimental Command Staff.
This regulation will:
- a. Provide a promotion selection process for promotion from the grades of Private through to Lieutenant Colonel which include minimum requirements for each grade.
- b. Authorize commanders to promote members to the grades as established by these regulations.
- c. Provide the procedure and framework for Officer Promotion Selection Board.
- d. Provide guidelines for promotion requirements based on billet or position.
Standard of Service
The standards of service are as follow:
- a. The Personnel Department (S1) will track and maintain personnel records to include time-in-grade (TIG), time-in-service (TIS), and Non-Commissioned Officer Academy graduations, as well as, all other pertinent records for each member. These records will be deemed as the official records for all members.
- b. S1 will review and adjust member MILPAC records with authorized to do so by COS.
- c. S1 will automatically promote members to the grades of Private First Class (PFC), Specialist (SPC) and Corporal (CPL) / Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) upon the attainment of the required TIS, TIG and other requirements established in this regulation.
Section III: Policy
Promotion Types
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Automatic | Promotion from Recruit (E-1) up to and including Corporal (E-4) / Warrant Officer 1 (W-1) are automatic when Time in Grade (TIG) and other pre-requisites such as graduation from Recruit Training Command, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) and awarding of the Basic Aviator Badge are completed. |
| Discretionary |
|
| Billet / Fast-Track | Members who are assigned to a billet for which they do not have the TIG to achieve the minimum rank can be promoted to that minimum rank at the discretion of the Regimental Chief of Staff when recommended by the Battalion Commander. |
Rank Promotion Authority
The Rank Promotion Authority table below details the commander’s promotion authorities. Commanders listed are authorized to promote troopers in rank within their chain of command per the guidelines set forth in this document.
| Command Authority | Can Promote |
|---|---|
| Recruit Training Command | Recruit up to and including Private/Private First Class (Honor Grad) |
| S1 Department | Private up to and including Corporal/Warrant Officer 1 |
| Company Commander | Sergeant/Chief Warrant Officer 2 up to and including Sergeant First Class/Chief Warrant Officer 4 |
| Battalion Commander |
|
| Regimental Chief of Staff |
|
| Regimental Commanding Officer |
|
(1) or up to one rank below their current rank.
Commanders' Responsibilities
Commanders with promotion authority are responsible to ensure all regulations and requirements set forth in this document are adhered to for all promotions they approve.
Nonpromotable Status
A member becomes nonpromotable or their promotion is automatically delayed when the member is:
- a. Absent without leave (AWOL)
- b. Serving a court-martial sentenced or being punished under Article 15, UCMJ. They are considered to be serving a sentence or undergoing punishment, and therefore nonpromotable, through the last day as specified by the court-martial or Art 15, UCMJ.
- c. Under undisposed court-martial charges (that is, charges that have been preferred, but not dismissed or withdrawn, nor has the member been tried and acquitted or sentenced).
- d. Under investigation that may result in disciplinary action of any kind being taken against them.
- e. Under suspension of favorable personnel actions.
Authority to Announce Promotions
Unit commanders with promotion authorization may post a promotion, in the appropriate forum as specified by S1 procedures, or may delegate this responsibility to a subordinate who will make a post in their name. S1 personnel or general staff officers or the Regimental CSM are the only personnel authorized to post the actual promotion orders
Date of Rank (DOR) and Effective Date
The DOR for promotion to a higher grade is the date specified in the promotion announcement or, when no date is specified, the date the announcement is posted.
Computing Time in Grade (TIG)and Service (TIS)
The S1 Personnel Department will maintain and compute TIG and TIS and those computations will be deemed as the official figures for the purpose of evaluating eligibility for promotion.
Chapter 2 Commissioned Officer Promotions
Section I: Overview
Commissioning of Second Lieutenants is based on Officer Development School (ODS) results. Spots will be assigned based on the needs of the regiment and the outcome of ODS.
Minimum Requirements
The minimum requirements for application to the Officer Development School are as follow:
- Minimum rank of Specialist
- Completion of NCOA
- Completion of Server Admin Course
- Any individual prerequisites set by Company Commanders for their assigned seats.
*Exceptions may be made by General Staff or Officer Development School Lead
Section II: Commissioned Officer Promotion Requirements
Overview
- Promotions from the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to the rank of Colonel are based on defined minimum requirements set forth in this section.
- Promotions above the rank of Colonel are based on the needs of the Regiment.
Promotion Requirements
| Title | Insignia | Abbrev | Grade | Min TIS | Min TIG | Minimum Requirement(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Lieutenant | 
|
2LT | O-1 | N/A | N/A |
|
| First Lieutenant | 
|
1LT | O-2 | N/A | 6 months as a 2LT |
|
| Captain | 
|
CPT | O-3 | N/A | 6 months as a 1LT |
|
| Major | 
|
MAJ | O-4 | N/A | 6 months as a CPT |
|
| Lieutenant Colonel | 
|
LTC | O-5 | N/A | 6 months as a MAJ |
|
| Colonel | 
|
COL | O-6 | N/A | 6 months as a LTC |
|
Section III: General Officer Promotion Requirements
Overview
Promotion to the rank of Brigadier General (O-7) and above shall be authorized by the Regimental Commander based on the needs of the Regiment and on recommendations of the General Staff.
Minimum TIG for Promotion
The minimum TIG requirement for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General (O-7) is nine (9) months at the rank of Colonel (O-6). The minimum TIG requirement for promotions above the rank of O-7 is one (1) year at current rank. Minimum TIG may not apply based on billet limitations, see Chapter 5.
Chapter 3 – Enlisted,Noncommissioned and Warrant Officer Promotions
Section I: Enlisted Personnel Promotion Guidelines
Overview
Promotions from the rank of Recruit to the rank of Corporal / Warrant Officer 1 are based on defined minimum requirements as set forth in this section.
Promotion Requirements
| Title | Insignia | Abbrev | Grade | Min TIS | Min TIG | Minimum Requirement(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit | N/A | RCT | E-1 | N/A | N/A | Enlistment application has been screened and approved by authorized 7th Cavalry personnel |
| Private | 
|
PVT | E-2 | N/A | N/A | Successfully completed Bootcamp |
| Private First Class | 
|
PFC | E-3 | N/A | 1 month as a PVT | Basic Training Honor Graduates may be promoted to PFC upon award |
| Specialist | 
|
SPC | E-4 | N/A | 2 months as a PFC | N/A |
Boot Camp Honor Graduate Promotion
The RTC commander may designate an honor graduate for a boot camp if the recruit demonstrates superior skill and a perfect score on the knowledge test. The honor graduate will be promoted to the rank of Private First Class instead of the customary rank of Private.
Section II: Noncommissioned Officer Promotion Guidelines
Overview
Promotions to Sergeant and above are based on assigned billets and needs of the Regiment. See Chapter 5, Section I for guidelines governing billet promotions.
Minimum TIG for Promotion
The minimum TIG requirements for each enlisted rank are listed below.
| Rank | Minimum TIG |
|---|---|
| Sergeant (SGT) | four (4) months as CPL |
| Staff Sergeant (SSG) | four (4) months as SGT |
| Sergeant First Class (SFC) | six (6) months as SSG |
| Master Sergeant (MSG) | six (6) months as SFC |
Additional Requirements Promotion
In addition to the minimum TIG, a trooper must meet the following additional requirements to become promotable.
- a. Assigned to a billet that allows promotions to the rank above Corporal in other to become promotable to that rank.
- b. Recommendation by their commander for meeting performance standards as assessed by their commander that merits a promotion.
All of the trooper’s commanders must agree to the recommendation if the trooper is assigned to multiple billets.
Sergeant Major Promotion
The rank of Sergeant Major is reserved for the Battalion Sergeant Major billet and in special circumstances by special appointment by the Regimental Commander. The Battalion Sergeant Major is approved by the Regimental Command Sergeant Major and promoted by the Chief of Staff.
Command Sergeant Major Promotion
The rank of Command Sergeant Major is reserved for the Regimental Command Sergeant Major billet that is appointed and promoted by the Regimental Commander.
Chapter 5 – Special Promotions
Section I: Billet Promotions
Overview
Appointment to designated combat unit and staff department billet may require the promotion of the appointee to a rank equal to the minimum rank as detailed below. Exception being a trooper who does not have TIG for the promotion must serve a 30 day probationary period before promotion to the minimum rank for the billet.
Enlisted and Noncommissioned Officer Billets
| Billet | Minimum Rank | Maximum Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Section Member | PVT | CPL |
| Section Leader | PFC | SGT |
| Platoon Sergeant | SGT | MSG |
| Company 1SG | 1SG | 1SG |
| Battalion SGM | SGM | SGM |
| Department NCOIC | SGT | MSG |
| MP and S2 * | CPL | SFC |
* Only if serving in this department as primairy billet.
Warrant Officer Billets
| Billet | Minimum Rank | Maximum Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot | PVT | WO1 |
| Aviation Section Leader | WO1 | CW2 |
| Co Platoon Sergeant | CW2 | CW5 |
| Co Company First Sergeant | 1SG or CW5 | 1SG or CW5 |
| Special Assignment by GOA | WO1 | CW5 |
Commisioned Officer Billets
| Billet | Minimum Rank | Maximum Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Platoon Leader | 2LT | 1LT |
| Company CO or XO | 1LT | MAJ |
| Battalion XO | MAJ | LTC |
| Battalion CO | MAJ | COL |
| JAG OIC | MAJ | BG |
| Department OIC | 2LT | LTC |
| JAG Staff | 2LT | MAJ |
General Officer Billets
| Billet | Minimum Rank | Maximum Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Special Appointed Billets | BG | MG |
| Chief Of Staff | BG | LTG |
| Security Operations Cheif | BG | LTG |
| Information Management Officer | BG | LTG |
| Regimental Executive Officer | BG | GEN |
| Regimental Commanding Officer | BG | GOA |
Billet Promotion Guidelines
- a. If a billet appointee does not have TIG to be promoted to the minimum rank of the billet, he or she must serve a 30 day probationary period before promotion can take place.
- b. If a billet appointment requires the appointee to be promoted, the appointee must serve in that billet for a minimum of six (6) months before the promotion becomes permanent.
- c. If the appointee is removed from the billet, either voluntarily or as a result disciplinary action, or goes on ELOA, the appointee will be reduced to previous rank with consideration for TIG.
- d. The only exception to this is if the appointee is promoted to another billet by command decision.
Section II: Fast-Track Promotions
Overview
Fast-track promotions outside the guidelines set forth in this document are not allowed unless approved by the Regimental Commanding Officer. Allowed fast-track promotions, as defined here, as a promotion where a trooper is promoted past their next rank in order to reach the minimum rank required for a billet.
Chapter 6 – Demotions/Reduction in Rank
Section I: Overview
This chapter governs the reduction in rank or demotion for a trooper in the 7th Cavalry. Every rank within the 7th Cavalry has a purpose and a meaning behind it. Rank is not given it is earned through ones actions within the unit. As such, Rank can be removed or lost as well. If a trooper is unable to perform their duties, or performs them poorly it may be necessary to reduce said trooper in rank and assigned them to a duty they are
Section II: Demotion Authority
All demotions/reductions in rank must be approved by the Chief of Staff or his designate. The Chief of Staff must make every effort to insure that the guidelines and policies set forth in this document are followed.
Section III: Non-Punitive Demotion
Every rank within the 7th Cavalry has a purpose and a meaning behind it. As such, if a trooper is unable to fulfill the duties of the rank to which they have been promoted they may be reduced to a rank more suitable to their ability and participation within the unit. These types of reductions or demotions are referred to as Non-Punitive and should not reflect negatively on the trooper.
- a. Billet demotion. If a trooper assigned to a particular billet determines that they are unable to perform the duties of the billet, they are obligated to inform their superior so that their duties do not go unfulfilled. In this case the trooper may be demoted. See the table below.
| Rank | Equivalent Rank | Demotible to |
|---|---|---|
| First Sergeant (1SG) | Corporal (CPL) | |
| Sergeant Major or Command Sergeant (SGM/CSM) | Staff Sergeant (SSG) | |
| Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) | Corporal (CPL) | Corporal (CPL) |
| Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) | Sergeant (SGT) | Corporal (CPL) |
| Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) | Staff Sergeant (SSG) | Corporal (CPL) |
| Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) | Sergeant First Class (SFC) | Corporal (CPL) |
| Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) | Master Sergeant (MSG), First Sergeant (1SG) (assuming 1SG billet) | Corporal (CPL) |
| Commissioned Officer (2LT-MAJ) | Sergeant (SGT) |
The above is subject to
Section IV: Demotion due to Absence
A trooper will receive a demotion for being absent from the Regiment. Absence from the Regiment occurs when a trooper is unable to be present and perform their minimum duties. Minimum duties are defined by billet. Absence from the Regiment is classified differently base upon the reason for the absence as listed below.
- a. Absent Without Leave (AWOL). A trooper is AWOL if they fail to make the required forum post once a week and they have not filed for Leave of Absence (LOA), Extended Leave of Absence (ELOA), or discharge/retirement. After being AWOL for 1 week, a trooper is discharged.
- b. Leave of Absence (LOA). A trooper who is unable to be present and fulfill their duties for a period of seven (7) days, but no more than fourteen (14) days, and has filed the appropriate Personal Action Form (PAF) is considered to be LOA.
- c. Extended Leave of Absence. A trooper who is unable to be present and fulfill their duties for a period of fourteen (14) days, but no more than forty-five (45) days, and has filed the appropriate PAF is considered to be ELOA. Any trooper absent more than 45 days that has not extended their ELOA status by filing a subsequent PAF will be discharged.
- d. Discharge. Any trooper that has been discharged from the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
The type of absence will determine the type of demotion for a trooper and is as follows:
- a. AWOL: Any enlisted trooper discharged due to AWOL status will be reduced in rank by two (2) ranks, but no lower than Private (PVT).
- b. LOA: Any trooper that returns to duty before their LOA status expires (14 days) will not be demoted.
- c. ELOA: Only troopers filling a billet with a minimum rank requirement are subject to demotion should they go on ELOA. These billets are defined in Chapter 5, Section 5-1 of this document. Any rank reduction due to ELOA status is applied when the trooper returns to active duty.
If the trooper can return to their original billet, or another billet to which their rank would apply, then there will be no reduction in rank.
- d. Discharge: All troopers who are discharged from the Regiment will receive a rank reduction upon re-enlistment, this applies no matter the length of the discharge. No discharge is official until posted in the Discharged from the 7th Cavalry Regiment forum ([1]). The level of demotion is determined by the type of discharge.
- Discharge due to AWOL status: minimum of 2 grades
- Discharge after being ELOA more than 45 days: minimum of 2 grades
- General Discharge: minimum of 1 grade
- Retirement: minimum of 1 grade (if Billet is available, otherwise SGT)
For every 6 months spent discharged/retired, an additional rank reduction will occur.
Note: Any trooper that re-enlists, no matter the terms of discharge, will not be eligible for any leadership position or additional billet for a period of no less than 90 days from the date of their re-enlistment.
Section V: Punitive Demotion
A punitive demotion is received as a result of disciplinary action resulting from violations the General Orders, Code of Conduct, Team Speak 3 Policy, and UCMJ of the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment. At a minimum, an Article 15 is required in order to reduce a trooper in rank. The severity of the demotion is determined by the ruling of the Court, or the adjudicating officer in the instance of an Article 15.