Promotions

Two examples of AMEDD Officer promotions:

Example #1: You are appointed as a Captain, Medical Corps, and assigned to a Battalion Aid Station. Your position is authorized to be filled by a Captain. After serving seven (7) years as a Captain, if the Department of the Army (DA) Selection Board recommends you for promotion, you may hold that position as a Major. As shown above, seven (7) years is the maximum number of years you can remain a Captain before being considered for promotion to Major by the DA Selection Board.

Example #2: You are appointed as a Captain, Medical Corps, and assigned to a Medical Dispensary. Your position is authorized to be filled by a Major. You must serve four years as a Captain before being considered for promotion to Major. If recommended by your Chain of Command and concurrence from the ARNG Career Management Board, you may be promoted to Major with approval by the Federal Recognition Board.

WEARING OF INSIGNIA: Wearing insignia of the next higher grade without promotion is not authorized for ARNG officers. The Chief, National Guard Bureau, grants federal recognition (promotion) for the next higher grade. If required, this includes United States Senate confirmation. This policy only applies to promotions, not initial commissioning. When you first receive your commission, the State grants temporary federal recognition, allowing you to wear the insignia of your appointed rank, pending receipt of permanent federal recognition. Some services allow a practice known as “frocking”. This term means wearing rank of the next higher grade, based on recommendation and selection for promotion, and prior to receiving federal recognition. In the ARNG, only general officers may “frock” prior to receiving federal recognition.

Bottom Line: You are promoted at the State level, and because you are an Army asset as well as a Guardsman, you must be recognized by the Federal level (National Guard Bureau) as well. Therefore, you may not wear your next rank insignia simply because you have an order from the State saying you have been promoted. You MUST have a federal order stating that you have been promoted as well.