The Army will continue to authorize accelerated advancement to staff sergeant for certain Special Forces and civil affairs soldiers, but only if they those soldiers meet the schooling requirements of the STEP promotion procedures that took effect Jan. 1.
Under the STEP (select-train-educate-promote) system, successful completion of the Advanced Leader Course is a hard and fast requirement for promotion pin-on to staff sergeant.
The Army's principal regulation for enlisted promotions, AR 600-8-19, has been updated to incorporate the STEP requirement into the automatic promotion procedures for sergeants who have been awarded military occupational specialties in Career Management Fields 18 (Special Forces) and 38 (civil affairs).
Under changes to the special promotion category of the regulation, soldiers automatically will be promoted to staff sergeant on the first day of the following month when all these requirements have been met:
CMF 18 (Special Forces)
• Successful completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course for graduates of the Advanced Leader Course.
• Award of MOS 18B (SF weapons sergeant), 18C (SF engineer sergeant), 18D (SF medical sergeant) or 18E (SF communications sergeant).
• 42 months or more time in service.
• Six months or more of time in grade.
CMF 38 (civil affairs)
• Successful completion of the Civil Affairs Qualification Course for graduates of the Advanced Leader Course.
• Award of MOS 38B (civil affairs specialist).
• 42 months' TIS.
• Six months' TIG.
The regulation changes were announced Feb. 25 in MilPer Message 16-067. Pertinent sections for Regular Army and Army Reserve soldiers are Chapter 3, paragraphs 3-5A (5) and 3-5H (2).
The pertinent sections for National Guard soldiers are Chapter 7, paragraph 7-16B (3).
