Two things change constantly here. The regulation itself has been reissued multiple times in the past two
years, and separately, HRC publishes new promotion point cutoff scores every single month — those numbers
aren't fixed regulation text. Treat every specific figure below as an example from a point in time, not today's
answer. Check the current month's HRC cutoff-score memo before you tell a Soldier where they stand.
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OVERVIEW
The regulation behind every stripe and rocker — how Soldiers move up, and how they can move down.
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What It's For
Promote fully qualified Soldiers to fill authorized requirements, and keep the Army's best-qualified people moving up.
Supports a "Select-Train-Educate-Promote" concept — training and education happen before promotion to NCO ranks
Applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/ARNGUS, and U.S. Army Reserve
What used to be called "reductions" is now called "demotions" in current terminology
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What Can Stop a Promotion
Pending disciplinary action that could lead to a reduction or separation puts a promotion on hold — points and time don't override standing.
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HOW PROMOTION WORKS
Three different systems, depending on the grade — automatic, points-based, and board-selected.
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Automatic (PV2, PFC, SPC)
No board, no points — just meet the time-in-service and time-in-grade requirements and the system promotes you.
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Semi-Centralized (SGT, SSG)
Promotion points get calculated from your record — fitness test score, awards, education, weapons qualification — then a local board and monthly cutoff score decide who gets promoted.
HR specialists make sure eligible Soldiers know board criteria ahead of time and can review their own records first
Monthly HQDA cutoff scores determine who's promoted — meet or exceed the cutoff for your grade/MOS
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Centralized DA Boards (SFC+)
Sergeant First Class, Master Sergeant, and Sergeant Major run through a Department of the Army board evaluating the whole file — "best qualified," not a points cutoff.
A recent Army Directive specifically updated policy on promotion and frocking to Sergeant Major
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Battlefield Promotions
A narrower, campaign-specific authority — allocations are designated by grade and reviewed quarterly while active.
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ELIGIBILITY (ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE)
A snapshot of TIS/TIG floors from a recent cycle — useful for understanding the shape of the requirement, not for citing an exact current number.
Target Grade
Zone
Example Minimum TIS / TIG
SGT
Primary
36 months / 12 months
SGT
Secondary
18 months / 6 months
SSG
Primary
72 months / 18 months
SSG
Secondary
48 months / 8 months
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Fitness Test Requirement
A passing record fitness test score is required for SGT and SSG — which test and standard applies has changed more than once, so check current policy.
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PME Requirement
Whether completed PME is required before pinning on has shifted in recent cycles — don't assume a fixed gate without checking current guidance.
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Language Points (DLPT)
An outdated DLPT score can cost you promotion points — but losing them this way isn't grounds for a special reconsideration request on its own.
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BOARDS & PROCESS
The mechanics behind who gets picked, and what happens if something goes sideways.
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Board Schedule
Local boards run in a set window each month; HQDA calculates cutoff scores and selections shortly after, based on that month's data.
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Promotion List & Sequence Number
Selected Soldiers land on a ranked promotion list — the sequence number decides who gets promoted first as vacancies open up.
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Standby Advisory Board
A special board that handles reconsiderations, removals from a standing promotion list, and suitability questions — it recommends, the chain decides.
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Administrative Demotion
For misconduct or substandard performance, a Soldier can sometimes be demoted without a formal board — otherwise, the formal board process applies.
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IPPS-A
The Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army is where points, eligibility, and roster integrations actually get tracked day to day.
Recently changed: lateral Specialist-to-Corporal appointment policy, USAREC merit promotions for high
accession numbers, removal of secondary-zone waiver authority, and the Airborne Advantage criteria table have
all been updated recently — worth a fresh look if any of these affect your Soldiers.