Regulation 5: Promotion, Career Advancement, and Command Appointment Standards

[USDF]

UNITED STATES DEFENSE FORCE
Regulation 5: Promotion, Career Advancement, and Command Appointment Standards.

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INDEX

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CHAPTER	TITLE
1	PROMOTIONS, DEMOTIONS, PROMOTION LOCKS, AND RANK ADJUSTMENTS
	Section 1. Promotions
	Subsection 1. Promotion Requirements
	Subsection 2. Promotional Procedure
	Subsection 3. FEAT Requirements for Promotions
	Subsection 4. Enlisted Training & Competency Program (ETCP)
	Subsection 5. Promotion Priority & Recommendations
	Section 2. Demotions and Promotion Locks
	Subsection 1. Documentation Standards
	Section 3. Rank Adjustments
2	SERVICE TIME REQUIREMENTS
	Section 1. General Provisions
	Subsection 1. Service Time Reset and Retention
	Section 2. Recommended Service Time (RST)
	Subsection 1. Exceptions to Recommended Service Time
	Section 3. Maximum Service Time (MST)
3	POSITION APPOINTMENTS
	Section 1. General Provisions
	Section 2. Positional Rank Requirements
	Section 3. Positional Experience Requirements
	Section 4. Office Head Non-Commissioned Officers (OHNCO) and Branch Head Non-Commissioned Officers (BHNCO)
4	COMMISSIONED OFFICER RANK STANDARDS
	Section 1. Office Membership Requirement
	Subsection 1. Office Membership Deadline
	Section 2. Commissioned Officer Rank Restrictions
	Section 3. Officer Advancement and Training Compliance
	Subsection 1. Junior Officers
	Subsection 2. Senior Officers
	Subsection 3. Senior Command

 

CHAPTER 1. PROMOTIONS, DEMOTIONS, PROMOTION LOCKS, AND RANK ADJUSTMENTS

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The following provisions establish the authority, procedures, and requirements governing all promotional and demotional actions within the United States Defense Force (USDF).

All promotions and demotions shall be conducted in accordance with the standards and procedures outlined in this Regulation.

Section 1. Promotions
Promotions shall not be restricted by branch membership.

Personnel are prohibited from promoting themselves or accepting promotions from other foreign organizations.

Personnel are prohibited from issuing promotions above their authority ("promotional range").

• The promotional range shall be defined in Table 2. Promotion, Demotion, and Discharge Authority.

All promotions shall, in addition to this Regulation, be subject to the conditions outlined in Procedure 6: Promotions.

SUBSECTION 1. Promotion Requirements

For an individual to have the authority to promote ("promotional authority"), they must:

• Have completed FEAT {Z}, regardless of rank;
• Have the proper promotional range, as defined in this Regulation; and,
• Not be subject to any imposed limitations outlined in Regulation 1, Chapter 2, Section 6, or any other restrictions outlined in Regulations. 

For an individual to become eligible for promotion, they must:

• Have completed all requirements to receive a promotion to the next rank;
• Have met their Recommended Service Time (RST) subject to conditions outlined in Chapter 2 of this Regulation;
• Not have received a demotion in the preceding 7 days; and,
• Not be subject to any imposed limitations outlined in Regulation 1, Chapter 2, Section 6, or any other restrictions outlined in Regulations. 

Personnel ranked E7+ must also be a member of an office in order to be eligible for promotion. Personnel ranked E7+ who have been removed from, or have voluntarily left, their office shall be ineligible for promotion until they join a new office.

All promotions must take place on-client, in the USDF HQ, or another official facility. 

Personnel issuing a promotion must use judgment based on facts to determine promotional entitlement. Personnel must hold no bias when considering personnel for a promotion.

 

SUBSECTION 2. Promotional Procedure

All promotions involving personnel ranked E4+ must follow the standard reporting procedure, which shall be outlined in Procedure 6: Promotions.

• When the promotion recipient fails to execute the proper reporting procedure, the promoting authority shall assist to ensure compliance.

All promotions issued by Commissioned Officers must be immediately recorded on the Personnel Tracking System (PTS). All promotions issued by Warrant Officers (WO) and Head Non-Commissioned Officers (HNCO) must be immediately recorded on the Manual PTS (MPTS).

• Commissioned Officers who are unable to post a promotion on the PTS may use the MPTS instead.

After a promotion has been issued, the promoting authority shall be responsible for the following:

• Ensuring the promotion recipient updates their uniform, motto, and badge as necessary; and,
• Faciliating the E4 Training (E4T) for personnel who have been promoted to E4;
• Requesting the Warrant Officer role in #masking-requests on Discord for personnel promoted to the Warrant Officer ranks.

SUBSECTION 3. FEAT Requirements for Promotions

Personnel must complete all required FEATs from their current rank before becoming eligible for promotion to the next rank.

Active requirements shall be listed in Table 1. Minimum FEAT Requirements for Promotions.

Training requirements are cumulative; personnel must maintain all previously earned qualifications.

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Table 1. Minimum FEAT Requirements for Promotions

PAY GRADE PROMOTION	MINIMUM FEATS
E5 (incl. JNCO/SEL)	{P} {U} at E4
E6 (incl. JNCO/SEL)	{A} {B} {S} at E5
E7 (excl. SNCO/SEL)	{L} {X} at E6
W1 (incl. WO/SEL)	{R} {W} {M} at E9
W2	{Z} at E9-C
O1 (incl. OFF/SEL)	{O} {H} {A} {I} at W5 MIDN/OC
O5	Completion of Senior Officer Development Course (SODC) and Senior Officer Advancement Board (SOAB) at O4
O7	Completion of Flag Grade Officer Advancement Board (FGOAB) at O6

 

All SEL grades (excluding JNCO/SEL) must complete FEAT {X} before receiving their final rank from the Office of Manpower and Personnel (OMP).

SUBSECTION 4. Enlisted Training & Competency Program (ETCP)

All enlisted follow the Enlisted Training & Competency Program (ETCP) during their progression from E1 to E4.

• E1 personnel are not required to complete FEAT {R} for promotion to E2. However, completion of FEAT {R} earns an automatic promotion to E2.
• E2 personnel are required to complete FEAT {G}. This will lead to an automatic promotion to E3.
• E3 personnel are not required to complete FEATs {GJRT} for promotion to E4. However, completion of FEATs {GJRT} earns an automatic promotion to E4.​

SUBSECTION 5. Promotion Priority & Recommendations

Commissioned Officers shall always have priority regarding promotions. If a Commissioned Officer is active on the working floor, Warrant Officers and HNCOs may promote personnel with permission from the active Commissioned Officer.

• Automatic promotions are exempt from this provision; personnel may issue automatic promotions without prior approval from an active Commissioned Officer.

Junior Commissioned Officers (O1-O3) and WOs are encouraged to discuss personnel deserving of a promotion.

• Warrant Officers should bring promotional recommendations to the attention of an active Commissioned Officer on the working floor.
• Personnel who wish to recommend other personnel for promotion should utilize the Recommendation tab on the PTS.

Table 2. Promotion, Demotion, and Discharge Authority

RANK/EL/ML	RANGE
EL1	No limit
EL2	No limit
EL3	+3 to rank (max. O8)
EL4	+1 to rank (max. O7)
EL5	+1 to rank (max. O6)
ML1 EA	+1 to rank (max. O5)
ES2	O12
O12	O9
O11	O8
O10	O7
O9	O6
O8	O5
O7	O4
O6-S	O3
O6	O2
O5	W5
O4	W4
O3	W3
O2	W2
O1	W1
W1-W5	E7
BHNCO	E7
OHNCO	E5

Section 2. Demotions and Promotion Locks
Demotions shall be defined as reductions in rank, imposed as a disciplinary action in response to serious or repeated violations of policy.

Demotions may be issued by Commissioned Officers who have promotional authority and promotional range specified in Section 1 of this Chapter.

Commissioned Officers may not issue a demotion exceeding one rank. In cases where the nature or severity of the infraction warrants consideration of a greater reduction in rank, the matter must be referred to the OJSIG through the appropriate reporting procedures outlined in Procedure 4: Complaint Forms (ARF, PAF, DRF, GRF, FCF).

Promotion locks are restrictions that temporarily prevent a service member from being promoted.

Promotion locks may be issued by personnel granted such authority in Regulation 8: Uniform Code of Military Justice.

All provisions that apply to Demotions shall, with necessary adjustments, apply to Promotion Locks.

Demotions, Promotion Locks, and all other forms of disciplinary actions shall be administered in accordance with provisions established in Regulation 8: Uniform Code of Military Justice.

SUBSECTION 1. Documentation Standards

Commissioned Officers who have issued any form of disciplinary action to personnel ranked E4+, including demotions and promotion locks, must fill out the Discipline Report Form (DRF).

The DRF must be filled out following the guidelines outlined in Procedure 4: Complaint Forms (ARF, PAF, DRF, GRF, FCF).

Section 3. Rank Adjustments
Rank adjustments are issued to correct any discrepancies in a service member's rank. Rank adjustments are separate from promotions and demotions.

Rank adjustments may be issued by Commissioned Officers in relevant command positions who have promotional authority and promotional range specified in Section 1 of this Chapter.

Rank adjustments are not required to be conducted on-client.

CHAPTER 2. SERVICE TIME REQUIREMENTS

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Section 1. General Provisions

The USDF utilizes Service Time (ST) as the primary metric for tracking personnel progression and promotional eligibility. Service Time shall be measured in days and represents the cumulative period of active service from initial enlistment through current employment. Service time serves as an approximator for standard personnel progression through ranks.

Personnel shall not be promoted based solely upon service time accumulation; service time requirements must be satisfied in conjunction with all other promotional criteria.

 

SUBSECTION 1. Service Time Reset and Retention

Personnel who reinstate or reenlist following an Honorable Discharge will retain their previous service time.

• Service time will resume calculation from the date of their reinstatement or reenlistment.

Personnel who reinstate or reenlist following a pardon from any form of a Punitive Discharge shall have their service time reset.

Section 2. Recommended Service Time (RST)

Recommended Service Time (RST) constitutes the minimum total service time personnel must accumulate before becoming eligible for promotion to the next pay grade.

Active RST standards shall be defined in Table 3. Recommended Service Time.

RST requirements serve as baseline standards and must be satisfied unless an authorized exception is granted in accordance with Subsection 1 of this Section.

 

SUBSECTION 1. Exceptions to Recommended Service Time

RST requirements may be waived under the following circumstances and approval authorities:

• Promotions for personnel with less than 10% of their RST remaining require O4+ officer approval.
• Promotions for personnel with more than 10% of their RST remaining require approval from members of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).

If a premature RST promotion is approved, the promoting authority must note the approving officer in their PTS or MPTS post.

RST should only be waived for personnel who consistently perform their duties well beyond standard requirements and expectations.

 

Table 3. Recommended Service Time
Color Definitions: NAVY MARINES ARMY AIR FORCE
 

PAY GRADE	RANK	RECOMMENDED SERVICE TIME
E1 to E2	SA PFC PFC Amn	None
E2 to E3	SN LCpl SPC A1C	None
E3 to E4	PO3 Cpl CPL SrA	None
E4 to E5	PO2 Sgt SGT SSgt	4 days
E5 to E6	PO1 SSgt SSG TSgt	12 days
E6 to E71	CPO GySgt SFC MSgt	21 days
E7 to E8	N/A MSgt MSG N/A	28 days
E7 to E8	SCPO 1stSgt 1SG SMSgt	35 days
E8 to E9	MCPO MGySgt SGM CMSgt	50 days
E9 to W1	WO1 WO1 WO1 WO1	70 days
W1 to W2	CWO2 CWO2 CW2 CWO2	94 days
W2 to W3	CWO3 CWO3 CW3 CWO3	122 days
W3 to W4	CWO4 CWO4 CW4 CWO4	154 days
W4 to W5	CWO5 CWO5 CW5 CWO5	190 days
W5 to O1	ENS 2ndLt 2LT 2d Lt	218 days
O1 to O22	LTJG 1stLt 1LT 1st Lt	258 days
O2 to O33	LT Capt CPT Capt	300 days
O3 to O4	LCDR Maj MAJ Maj	342 days

Section 3. Maximum Service Time (MST)
Maximum Service Time (MST) represents the maximum period personnel should serve in a particular rank before promotional consideration becomes mandatory.

MST standards serve as performance indicators and trigger points for mandatory performance reviews.

Table 4. Maximum Service Time
Color Definitions: NAVY MARINES ARMY AIR FORCE

PAY GRADE	RANK	MAXIMUM SERVICE TIME
E3	SN LCpl SPC A1C	N/A
E4	PO3 Cpl CPL SrA	8 days
E5	PO2 Sgt SGT SSgt	21 days
E6	PO1 SSgt SSG TSgt	28 days
E71	CPO GySgt SFC MSgt	35 days
E8	N/A MSgt MSG N/A	42 days
E8	SCPO 1stSgt 1SG SMSgt	49 days
E9	MCPO MGySgt SGM CMSgt	70 days
W1	WO1 WO1 WO1 WO1	122 days
W2	CWO2 CWO2 CW2 CWO2	150 days
W3	CWO3 CWO3 CW3 CWO3	182 days
W4	CWO4 CWO4 CW4 CWO4	218 days
W5	CWO5 CWO5 CW5 CWO5	246 days

¹ Maximum rank personnel can achieve without being part of an office; not applicable to selectees who are awaiting rank assignment.
² Maximum rank personnel can achieve without completing their officer PQS.
³ Maximum rank an officer can achieve while on R2.

CHAPTER 3. POSITION APPOINTMENTS

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Section 1. General Provisions

Position appointment is the formal assignment of personnel to specific roles or duties within the USDF. Appointed personnel shall be granted responsibilities and authority associated with the position they were appointed to. Position appointments remain in effect until the individual is reappointed, removed, or discharged from the USDF.

Appointments must be conducted on-client and follow the established reporting procedure.

• This provision shall not apply to NSC-directed appointments.

Personnel appointed to a command position shall be considered as "acting" until the successful completion of their Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS), as outlined in Regulation 1: Legislation.

• To be eligible for an "acting" appointment, personnel must meet the minimum rank requirement for a full appointment, as outlined in Section 2 of this Chapter.
• In addition to completing the PQS, acting personnel must also meet this minimum rank requirement to be granted a full appointment.

Section 2. Positional Rank Requirements
Active rank requirements for acting and full appointment shall be outlined in Table 5. Rank Requirements for Acting and Full Appointments.

The Secretary of Defense (SecDef) and Deputy Secretary of Defense (DepSecDef) may, at their discretion, waive rank requirements needed for acting or full appointment.

ML1 Executive Assistants (EA) are exempt from minimum rank requirements.

Warrant Officers (WO) ranked W5 may hold ML2 (Commanding Officer) roles, provided that they actively contribute to their progression into the Officer Candidate School (OCS).

• Members of the OSD shall remove any W5 who is not actively working towards progression to the Officer Corps.
• Members of the Joint Staff Directorate (JSD) shall prioritize Commissioned Officers when considering applicants for Commanding Officer (CO) positions.

Table 5. Rank Requirements for Acting and Full Appointments

ML/EL LEVEL	MIN. RANK FOR ACTING APPOINTMENT	MIN. RANK FOR FULL APPOINTMENT
EL4	O61	O7
EL5	O42	O5
ML1	O2	O3
ML2	W5	O1
ML3	W1	W2

¹ Commissioned Officers appointed to an OSD position must have completed FGOAB before their appointment.
² Chapter 4, Section 3, Subsection 3: Senior Command.

Section 3. Positional Experience Requirements
Personnel shall satisfy established minimum experience requirements before becoming eligible for appointment to ML1 Assistant Director positions or higher command levels. Active experience requirements shall be outlined in Table 6. Positional Experience Requirements.

For the purposes of this Section, a portfolio shall be defined as a set of offices managed by a member of OSD.

Table 6. Positional Experience Requirements

ML/EL LEVEL	MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
EL2	3 months of continuous experience in an EL3 role.
EL3 (NSC)	3 months of continuous experience in an EL4 role.
EL4 (OSD)	3 months of continuous service as a director in the pertinent portfolio.
EL5 (JSD)	Experience as an AD in any portfolio.
ML1 (AD)	Experience as ML2 in any portfolio

Section 4. Office Head Non-Commissioned Officers (OHNCO) and Branch Head Non-Commissioned Officers (BHNCO)
Office Head Non-Commissioned Officers (OHNCO) and Branch Head Non-Commissioned Officers are command positions exclusive to non-commissioned personnel, subject to standards outlined by relevant members of the JSD and OSD.

Active term information surrounding OHNCO and BHNCO positions shall be listed in Table 7. OHNCO and BHNCO Term Information.

Table 7. OHNCO and BHNCO Term Information

POSITION	TERM PERIOD	RANK ADJUSTMENT
OHNCO	1 month The first week shall consist of an acting period	Upon successful completion of an OHNCO term, the relevant member of the JSD shall assign a final rank based on the service member's performance during the term, with RST considered as an eligibility criterion. If the OHNCO stands down or is removed from the position before completing the term, they shall revert to their original rank without any elevation.
BHNCO	2 months The first week shall consist of an acting period	Upon successful completion of a BHNCO term, the Branch Chief shall submit a recommendation to the CJCS to determine the final rank based on the service member's performance during the term, with RST considered as an eligibility criterion. If the BHNCO stands down or is removed from the position before completing the term, they shall revert to their original rank without elevation.

CHAPTER 4. COMMISSIONED OFFICER RANK STANDARDS

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Section 1. Office Membership Requirement
Commissioned Officers ranked O1+ who do not belong to an office must join an office within 21 days of their reinstatement, office removal, or return from R2. ("Office Membership Deadline")

• Failure to secure office membership within the prescribed timeframe may, with the approval from the SecDef, result in decommission and demotion to W5.
• Personnel who are decommissioned for failing to meet the 21-day deadline will retain FEAT {O}.

Commissioned Officers ranked O4+ who remain officeless after 14 days shall have their rank temporarily adjusted to O3.

• They shall have the remaining time within the original 21-day deadline to join an office before facing decommission.

SUBSECTION 1. Office Membership Deadline

The following provisions shall apply to the 21-day deadline:

• The 21-day deadline shall only count down while an officer is on Active Duty or Active Reserves (R1).
  • Commissioned Officers on Inactive Reserves (R2) are exempt from the provisions outlined in this Section.
• Commissioned Officers on official leave shall have their deadline timer halted until they return.
• No sanctions shall be imposed if the deadline expires while a Commissioned Officer is awaiting the verdict of an office application.

Section 2. Commissioned Officer Rank Restrictions
Commissioned Officers shall be subject to rank restrictions based on their command level and office membership status.

Active rank restrictions for officers based on command position shall be outlined in Table 8. Officer Rank Restrictions.

Commissioned Officers ranked O5+ who no longer satisfy the positional requirements associated with their current rank will have their rank temporarily adjusted to align with the position they hold.
 
Table 8. Officer Rank Restrictions

Color Definitions: NAVY MARINES ARMY AIR FORCE
 

COMMAND LEVEL	MAX. PAY GRADE	MAX. RANK
EL4 (OSD)	O11	FADM GOMC GOA GOAF
EL5 (JSD)	O10	ADM Gen GEN Gen
ML1 (AD)	O8	RADM MajGen MG Maj Gen
ML2 (CO)	O7	RDML BrigGen BG Brig Gen
ML3 Executive Officer (XO)	O5	CDR Lt Col LTC LtCol
Member of an office	O4	LCDR Maj MAJ Maj

 

Section 3. Officer Advancement and Training Compliance

SUBSECTION 1. Junior Officers

Commissioned Officers promoted to O4 who have not yet completed SOAB and SODC will be given a maximum of 60 days of active duty service, excluding official leave, from the date of their position appointment to complete SOAB.

• Commissioned Officers ranked O4 who hold an ML2+ position and fail to complete SOAB within the specified timeframe may be subject to disciplinary action or reassignment, as deemed appropriate by their Chain of Command.

SUBSECTION 2. Senior Officers

Commissioned Officers promoted to O6 who have not yet completed FGOAB will be given a maximum of 60 days of active duty service, excluding official leave, from the date of their position appointment to complete FGOAB.

• Commissioned Officers ranked O6 who hold an ML2+ position and fail to complete FGOAB within the specified timeframe may be subject to disciplinary action or reassignment, as deemed appropriate by their Chain of Command.

SUBSECTION 3. Senior Command

Commissioned Officers appointed to JSD positions must have completed SODC prior to appointment. If they have not, they must apply and enroll in the course on the day of their appointment.

• Each tier of SODC must be completed within 7 days of reception, unless the Commissioned Officer's Branch Chief grants an extension.
• The entire SODC must be completed within 4 weeks of the appointment date. Failure to meet this deadline will result in removal from the position.
  • ​Extensions may only be granted by the relevant member of the NSC.

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Signed,

Controllable.
Secretary of Defense

Edited:
P.P. (Per Procurationem)
Office of Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities

This legislation is subject to change by the SecDef without warning or notice. Furthermore, the SecDef reserves the right to issue "Standing Orders" which overrule the Legislation when deemed appropriate.