IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:  7 June 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110024096 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests promotion to master sergeant/ (MSG)/E-8. 

2.  The applicant states he would like to be promoted to MSG/E-8.  He is not asking for back pay; he just wants to be retired as a MSG/E-8 which he thinks is justified based on normal progression.  

3.  The applicant provides a Congressional Inquiry packet in support of his request. 

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant’s record shows that on 11 February 1990, while serving as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), the applicant entered active duty in an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) status.  

2.  The record shows he was promoted to staff sergeant (SSG)/E-6, the highest grade he held while serving on active duty, on 1 December 1992.  He continued to serve on active duty in an AGR status until 31 October 2011, at which time he was honorably retired.  

3.  On 1 November 2011, the applicant was placed on the Retired List in the rank of SSG/E-6.  

4.  The applicant’s record is void of any indication that he was ever selected for promotion to a grade above SSG/E-6 while serving on active duty, or that he ever held a higher grade at anytime during his military service.  

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-19 (Enlisted Promotions and Reductions) prescribes the Army’s enlisted promotion policy.  Chapter 4 contains the rules and steps for managing the Centralized Promotion System to sergeant first class (SFC), MSG, and Sergeant Major (SGM) for Active Army and USAR AGR Soldiers.  It states in order to be promoted to these grades under the centralized system a member must meet the regulatory eligibility criteria and be selected by a centralized promotion selection board.  

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s request to be promoted to MSG/E-8 for retirement purposes has been carefully considered.  However, by regulation, in order to be promoted to SFC, MSG, or SGM, a Soldier must meet all the eligibility criteria and must be selected by a centralized promotion selection board. 

2.  The record shows the applicant was promoted to SSG/E-6 on 1 December 1992, and this is the highest rank he attained and held during his military service.  

3.  The record is void of any indication that the applicant was ever selected for promotion to a rank above SSG/E-6 by a promotion selection board under the centralized promotion system.  Given the Army does not now have and has never had a policy that allowed for promotion simply based on time served/ normal progression, it would not be appropriate or serve the interest of all those Soldiers who face similar circumstances to grant the requested relief.   

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X____  ___X ___  ___X____  DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      ____________X____________
                   CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110024096



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110024096



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