UNITED STATES DEFENSE FORCE
Regulation 5: Promotion, Demotion, and Discharge Requirements
INDEX
CHAPTER 1. Promotions, Demotions, Discharges, and Promotion Locks
| Chapter | Chapter and Subsection Title |
| 1 | Promotions, Demotions, Discharges, and Promotion Locks |
| Subsection 1. General Regulations | |
| Subsection 2. Promotional Requirements | |
| Table 1. Personnel Authority to Promote, Demote, Discharge, and Promotion Lock | |
| Subsection 3. Promotional Procedure | |
| Subsection 4. Promotional Authority | |
| Table 2. Promotional Authority | |
| 2 | Recommended and Maximum Service Time |
| Table 3. Recommended and Maximum Service Time | |
| 3 | Rank and Positional Restrictions |
| Table 4. Officer Rank Restrictions | |
| Subsection 1. General Officer Status Requirements | |
| Subsection 2. Officer Positional Experience Requirements | |
| Subsection 3. Positional Rank Restrictions | |
| Subsection 4. Rank Adjustments and Terms for NCO Leadership Positions | |
| Subsection 5. Rank Adjustments and Terms for WO Leadership Positions | |
| 4 | FEAT Requirements for Promotion |
| Table 5. Minimum FEATs Needed for Promotion | |
| Subsection 1. Enlisted Training & Competency Program (ETCP) |
CHAPTER 1. Promotions, Demotions, Discharges, and Promotion Locks
- Cross-branch promotions are permitted.
- Personnel are prohibited from promoting themselves and accepting promotions from other organizations, including allies.
- Personnel are prohibited from promoting, demoting, discharging, and issuing promotion locks above their range.
- Officers must submit a Discipline Report Form (DRF) after demoting, discharging, or issuing a promotion lock. Also, officers must refer an incident to OJSIG via an Action Report Form (ARF) if the person in question is 1) a commissioned officer, 2) outside of their promotional authority, or 3) if the officer did not directly witness the incident.
- Your promotee must have completed all necessary requirements to receive a promotion to the next rank.
- Your promotee must have not received a demotion in the last 7 days.
- E7+ personnel must be in an office to be promoted to the next pay grade. Those who choose to leave their office will be ineligible for promotions.
- Personnel must hold no bias and use personal judgment and experience to determine whether or not the individual is deserving of a promotion.
- Personnel leaves and inactive duty periods should be considered when looking at total service time of personnel before issuing a promotion.
- Personnel must always be promoted and/or appointed to a position on client without exception. Rank adjustments (i.e R2, reinstatements) are not promotions/demotions.
- Promotions must follow Procedure 6: Promotions at all times.
Table 1. Personnel Authority to Promote, Demote, Discharge, and Promotion Lock
| Rank/Position | Can Promote? | Can Demote? | Can Discharge? | Can Promotion Lock? |
| E1 to E9 | No | No | No | No |
OHNCO BHNCO SWOA SEAC W1 to W5 | Yes | No | No | No |
| O1+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | EL5+ only |
Subsection 3. Promotional Procedure
- It is MANDATORY that, when promoting personnel that are E4+, the reporting procedure is used. If the promotee forgets the procedure during their promotion, assist them with remembering it.
- Update the Manual PTS or PTS immediately after the promotion is complete.
- Ensure the promotee updates their uniform, motto, badge, etc. as necessary.
- When promoting someone to E4, they must receive the E4 promotional procedure immediately after from their promoter or a qualified individual E9 command +.
- When promoting someone to the Warrant Officer ranks, the promoting officer must request the Warrant Officer role on discord using the #masking-requests channel for the new WO.
- Officers have priority on promotions. OSEAC and Warrant Officers are required to bring E4+ promotion recommendations to the attention of an active officer to ensure personnel are recognized in a timely manner. Officer attention is not required for auto-promotions.
- An active officer is an officer actively manning a HQ station, or an officer present on the working floor
- Personnel under the rank of O4 cannot promote personnel who have not reached their RST without prior permission from an O4+ officer. If an O4+ officer approves a pre-mature RST promotion, the promoter must note who approved it in the Manual PTS or PTS post.
- RST should never be waived unless personnel are consistently performing their duties beyond requirements and expectations.
- If promoting someone by over 10% of their RST you must have OSD+ approval. Otherwise, officers ranked O4+ can waive RST with less than 10% left.
- For example, if you want to promote a PO1 with only 17 days service time, you must have OSD approval. 10% of the E7 RST is 2 days, and the gap you are bypassing is 4 days.
- Junior Officers and Warrant Officers are encouraged to converse with each other about individuals deserving of a promotion.
- If you wish to recommend someone for a promotion, please utilize the PTS Recommendation Tab found here.
- All personnel are required to have obtained FEAT {Z} before promoting, regardless of rank.
- E8 ranks (E8A & E8B) are considered as one rank.
Table 2. Promotion/Demotion/Discharge Authority
Rather than measuring "time in rank" or "time in grade", USDF measures total service time. Total service time (TST) approximates the ideal progress of our personnel through the ranks assuming they complete all their duties to expectations. Personnel should never be promoted solely off service time.
There are two types of service times to consider before issuing a promotion.
- Recommended Service Time (RST) - the minimum amount of time personnel must serve to become a particular rank.
- Maximum Service Time (MST) - the maximum amount of total service time personnel should reach at a particular rank. Personnel who pass MST should have a performance review conducted with their office, or branch, command via the Chain of Command.
Remember: Your service time is based off the total service time on the PTS. When checking Service time on PTS, make sure to cross check the Days and not just the weeks.
Table 3A. Recommended Service Time
Color Definitions: NAVY MARINES ARMY AIR FORCE
| Pay Grade | Rank | Old Recommended Service Time | New Recommended Service Time |
| E1 to E2 | SA PFC PFC Amn | None | None |
| E2 to E3 | SN LCpl SPC A1C | None | None |
| E3 to E4 | PO3 Cpl CPL SrA | None | None |
| E4 to E5 | PO2 Sgt SGT SSgt | 4 days | 4 days |
| E5 to E6 | PO1 SSgt SSG TSgt | 14 days / 2 weeks | 12 days |
| E6 to E71 | CPO GySgt SFC MSgt | 21 days / 3 weeks | 21 days |
| E7 to E8 | N/A MSgt MSG N/A | 28 days / 4 weeks (1 month) | 28 days |
| E7 to E8 | SCPO 1stSgt 1SG SMSgt | 35 days / 5 weeks (1.25 months) | 35 days |
| E8 to E9 | MCPO MGySgt SGM CMSgt | 42 days / 6 weeks (1.5 months) | 50 days |
| E9 to W1 | WO1 WO1 WO1 WO1 | N/A | 70 days |
| W1 to W2 | CWO2 CWO2 CW2 CWO2 | 56 days / 8 weeks (2 months) | 94 days |
| W2 to W3 | CWO3 CWO3 CW3 CWO3 | 77 days / 11 weeks (2.75 months) | 122 days |
| W3 to W4 | CWO4 CWO4 CW4 CWO4 | 98 days / 14 weeks (3.5 months) | 154 days |
| W4 to W5 | CWO5 CWO5 CW5 CWO5 | 119 days / 17 weeks (4.25 months) | 190 days |
| W5 to O1 | ENS 2ndLt 2LT 2d Lt | 133 days / 19 weeks (4.75 months) | 218 days |
| O1 to O22 | LTJG 1stLt 1LT 1st Lt | 161 days / 23 weeks (5.75 months) | 258 days |
| O2 to O33 | LT Capt CPT Capt | 196 days / 28 weeks (7 months) | 300 days |
| O3 to O4 | LCDR Maj MAJ Maj | 238 days / 34 weeks (8.5 months) | 342 days |
Table 3B. 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 / 2 weeks |
| E5 | PO2 Sgt SGT SSgt | 21 days / 3 weeks |
| E6 | PO1 SSgt SSG TSgt | 28 days / 4 weeks (1 month) |
| E71 | CPO GySgt SFC MSgt | 35 days / 5 weeks (1.25 months) |
| E8 | N/A MSgt MSG N/A | 42 days / 6 weeks (1.5 months) |
| E8 | SCPO 1stSgt 1SG SMSgt | 49 days / 7 weeks (1.75 months) |
| E9 | MCPO MGySgt SGM CMSgt | 70 days / 10 weeks (2.5 months) |
| W2 | CWO2 CWO2 CW2 CWO2 | 84 days / 12 weeks (3 months) |
| W3 | CWO3 CWO3 CW3 CWO3 | 105 days / 15 weeks (3.75 months) |
| W4 | CWO4 CWO4 CW4 CWO4 | 126 days / 18 weeks (4.5 months) |
| W5 | CWO5 CWO5 CW5 CWO5 | 147 days / 21 weeks (5.25 months) |
| O1 | ENS 2ndLt 2LT 2d Lt | 168 days / 24 weeks (6 months) |
| O22 | LTJG 1stLt 1LT 1st Lt | 203 days / 29 weeks (7.25 months) |
| O33 | LT Capt CPT Capt | 248 days / 35.5 weeks (8.75 months) |
| O4 | LCDR Maj MAJ Maj | 280 days / 40 weeks (10 months) |
Quote:1Maximum rank personnel can achieve without being part of an office; not applicable to selectees who are awaiting rank assignment.
2Maximum rank personnel can achieve without completing their officer PQS.
3Maximum rank an officer can achieve while on R2.
For personnel who transferred into the USDF, RST/MST depends on the service time since they received their SEL rank, and the final rank they were given after completing their SEL period. For reinstated personnel, all previous service time is kept and is taken in account for all future promotions (those who were dishonorably discharged, however, service time is reset).
CHAPTER 3. Rank and Positional Restrictions
Subsection 1. General Officer Status Requirements
Officers ranked O1+, who do not belong to an office will be expected to find an office within 21 days of their reinstatement, office removal or return from R2. Failure to do so will result in an irreversible decommission and demotion to W5. Individuals who are decommissioned for failing the 21 day deadline will retain FEAT {O} upon decommission, however, they will be expected to work their way up from W5. SecDef approval must be granted before a decommission can take place.
The 21 day deadline has the following conditions:
Officers ranked O1+, who do not belong to an office will be expected to find an office within 21 days of their reinstatement, office removal or return from R2. Failure to do so will result in an irreversible decommission and demotion to W5. Individuals who are decommissioned for failing the 21 day deadline will retain FEAT {O} upon decommission, however, they will be expected to work their way up from W5. SecDef approval must be granted before a decommission can take place.
The 21 day deadline has the following conditions:
- The deadline timer will only progress during Active Duty.
- Officers on R2 are not subject to this deadline. The deadline timer will only start when the Officer returns from R2.
- Officers on official leave will have their deadline timer halted until they are back on Active Duty. From there, the deadline timer will resume where it was previously halted.
- If the timer expires while the Officer is waiting for an office application verdict, no sanctions will be issued.
- Case-by-case approach will be utilised while resolving issues of this nature.
Officers ranked O4+, who do not belong to an office, will have their rank temporarily adjusted to O3 if they have not joined an office within 2 weeks. Officers ranked O5+, who no longer meet the minimum command for their rank, will have their rank temporarily adjusted to the appropriate rank for their position (if existing) within 2 weeks.
Table 4. Officer Rank Restrictions
Color Definitions: NAVY MARINES ARMY AIR FORCE
Table 4. Officer Rank Restrictions
Color Definitions: NAVY MARINES ARMY AIR FORCE
| Command Position | Maximum Pay Grade | Maximum Rank |
| EL4 Office of the Secretary of the Defense | O11 | FADM GOMC GOA GOAF |
| EL5 Joint Staff Directorate | O10 | ADM Gen GEN Gen |
| ML1 Assistant Director | O8 | RADM MajGen MG Maj Gen |
| ML2 Commanding Officer | O7 | RDML BrigGen BG Brig Gen |
| ML3 Executive Officer | O5 | CDR Lt Col LTC LtCol |
| Member of an office | O4 | LCDR Maj MAJ Maj |
Note: The highest rank to which an individual can be reinstated is O6. O7+ reinstatements will be determined by OSD. Officers are to be reinstated to O3 until they secure membership in an office; then, follow Table 4.
The following table outlines the minimum experience necessary to assume ML1 and higher positions within USDF. A portfolio is defined as a set of offices as managed by a member of OSD; for example, the USD P&E's portfolio contains OPA and OSP&C.
| ML/EL level | Minimum experience required |
| EL2 | 3 months continual experience in an EL3 role |
| EL3 (CoS) | 3 months experience in an EL4 role |
| EL4 (OSD) | 3 months continual service as a director in the pertinent portfolio |
| EL5 (JSD) | Experience as AD in any portfolio |
| EL5 (JSIG) | Experience as AD in any portfolio Experience in OJSIG |
| ML1 (AD) | Experience as ML2 in any portfolio |
Subsection 3. Positional Rank Restrictions
The following table denotes the minimum rank needed to assume full appointment to positions within the USDF chain of command. Each individual must complete a Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS) as well as meet the minimum rank to become fully appointed; ML1 EAs are exempt from this rule while the ML1 SEAC is exempt from the below rank restrictions. This restriction can be waived by the DepSecDef. Should the minimum rank be met, all acting periods should last no longer than 7 days.
| ML/EL level | Min. rank for acting appointment | Min. rank for full appointment |
| EL4 | O62 | O7 |
| EL5 | O41 | O5 |
| ML1 | O2 | O3 |
| ML2 | W5 | O1 |
| ML3 | W1 | W2 |
1 - Officers appointed to a JSD position are required to have completed SODC, or they will be required to apply and enroll in the course on the day of appointment. Each tier of SODC must also be completed within 1 week (7 days) of reception, unless an extension has been granted by the officer's branch chief. SODC must be completed within a maximum of 4 weeks from the date of appointment. If this deadline is not met, the officer will be removed from their position.
2 - Officers appointed to an OSD position must have completed FGOAB prior to appointment.
2 - Officers appointed to an OSD position must have completed FGOAB prior to appointment.
Subsection 4. Rank Adjustments and Terms for NCO Leadership Positions
The following table details the term periods, rank adjustments following a full term, and OCS eligibility for the positions of OHNCO and BHNCO. Specific rank adjustments will be at the discretion of the Portfolio Head/Branch Chief.
| Position | Term period | Rank adjustment | OCS Eligibility |
| OHNCO | 1 month First week consists of an acting period | Upon completion of a successful OHNCO term, the director will determine a final rank based on their performance during the term, with RST as an eligibility criteria. If the OHNCO stands down or is removed from their position, they return to their original rank without elevation. | N/A |
| BHNCO | 2 months First week consists of an acting period | Upon completion of a successful BHNCO term, the Branch Chief and Vice Branch Chief will make a recommendation to the CJCS to determine a final rank based on their performance during the term, with RST as an eligibility criteria. If the BHNCO stands down or is removed from their position, they return to their original rank without elevation. | N/A |
Subsection 5. Rank Adjustments and Terms for WO Leadership Positions
The following table details the term periods, rank adjustments following a full term, and OCS eligibility for the positions of SWOA and SEAC. Specific rank adjustments will be at the discretion of the Portfolio Head/Branch Chief.
| Position | Term period | Rank adjustment | OCS Eligibility |
| SWOA | 3 months First week consists of an acting period | Upon completion of a successful SWOA term, the Branch Chief and Vice Branch Chief will make a recommendation to the CJCS to determine a final rank based on their performance during the term, with RST as an eligibility criteria. If the SWOA stands down or is removed from their position, they return to their original rank without elevation. | N/A |
| SEAC | 3 months First week consists of an acting period | The SEAC leads all BHNCOs and SWOAS. Upon completion of their tenure, the SEAC will be admitted into OCS should they receive a recommendation from the CJCS. If the SEAC completes their tenure without a recommendation, they may be elevated or re-placed as W5 | Automatic entry into OCS following the completion of their tenure accompanied with a recommendation of the CJCS for outstanding performance. |
CHAPTER 4. FEAT Requirements for Promotion
Important: Personnel must have all pre-requisite FEATs below for their rank. For example, to be promoted to W2, the individual must have all the minimum FEATs for E6, E7, and W2.
Note: Personnel who meet the minimum FEAT requirements will have a notification displayed below their name on PTS.
 |
| Pay Grade Promotion | Minimum FEATS |
| E4 Auto Promotion | See Below |
| 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 SODC and SOAB at O4 |
| O7 | Completion of FGOAB at O6 |
Quote:3All SEL grades (excluding JNCO/SEL), must complete FEAT {X} prior to receiving their final rank from the Office of Manpower and Personnel
Subsection 1. 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.
- Enlisted personnel are required to complete FEATs {RGJT}. This will lead to an automatic promotion to E4.
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.
