* Changes the purpose paragraph (para 1-1).
* Redefines responsibilities (para 1-4).
* Deletes chapters 2, 3, and 5.
* Renumbers chapter 4 to chapter 2.
* Redefines the applicability for the Qualitative Retention Program (para 2-1).
* Adds category of Soldiers not to be considered by the Qualitative Retention Program (para 2-4).
* Makes administrative changes throughout.
This regulation prescribes policies and responsibilities for the Qualitative Retention Program (QRP). The separation programs, policies, and procedures in this regulation are conducted without regard to race, religion, gender, or national origin.
Required and related publications and prescribed and referenced forms are listed in appendix A .
Abbreviations and special terms used in this regulation are explained in the glossary .
a. The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 (DCS, G-1) , Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA), has general staff responsibility for the formulation, management, and evaluation of manpower and personnel policies, plans, and programs for all components of the Army.
b. The Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command (AHRC) is responsible for ensuring that transition noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who, as part of the transition life-cycle function, counsel, inform and initially assign those Soldiers with a military service obligation (MSO) who are being released from active duty into Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS) units, U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Troop Program Units (TPUs) or the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).
c. The Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB) will set policy, monitor, review and support the QRP for the ARNGUS consistent with this regulation and applicable Army policy.
d. The Chief, Army Reserve (CAR) will set policy, monitor, review, and support the QRP for the USAR consistent with this regulation and applicable Army policy.
e. Within their areas of jurisdiction, State Adjutants General (AGs) and area commanders are responsible for the personnel management programs outlined in this regulation. They will implement and administer the QRP. QRP responsibility for ARNGUS Soldiers will not be delegated below State AGs. Area commanders for USAR TPU Soldiers may delegate QRP responsibility no lower than the first USAR general officer commander subordinate to the area commander. This authority may not be further delegated. (The terms "area commands" and "area commander" as used throughout this regulation are defined in the glossary.)
Effective management and evaluation of ARNGUS and USAR enlisted personnel resources are necessary for successful mission accomplishment. It is HQDA policy to —
a. Utilize Soldiers in positions equal to their military qualifications and personal attributes.
b. Promote an atmosphere that will motivate each Soldier to attain his or her full potential as a Soldier.
Neither a Soldier's marital status nor the employment, educational pursuits, or the volunteer service activities of a Soldier's spouse may be considered in the qualitative retention process. Information in personnel files regarding such factors will not be considered by commanders, board members, or others involved in the retention process.
a. This chapter provides policy governing the selective retention of Soldiers in ARNGUS units and Army Reserve TPUs. It also prescribes the composition and function of the Qualitative Retention Board.
b. The purpose of the QRP is to determine retention potential and acceptability for reenlistment or extension of enlistment. In general, the QRP provides for a review every two years of Reserve Component Soldiers serving in ARNGUS units and Army Reserve TPUs who have 20 or more years of qualifying Service for non-regular retired pay and who are within the zones of consideration prescribed by paragraph 2-3 , and are not excluded from consideration by paragraph 2-4 .
c. USAR Soldiers assigned to TPUs. The QRP provides for a review of a Soldier's military personnel records to determine retention potential. This review is required every 2 years for all Soldiers who have 20 or more years of qualifying service for nonregular retired pay and who are within the zones of consideration prescribed by paragraph 2-3.
A continuing program of qualitative retention is essential to provide for career progression of qualified enlisted personnel at proper intervals in their careers. The QRP will —
a. Ensure only the best qualified Soldiers are retained beyond 20 years of qualifying service for non-regular retired pay. These soldiers will be retained for continuing assignment to the comparatively few senior noncommissioned officer (NCO) positions.
b. Provide career incentives.
c. Ensure an opportunity for advancement to the higher grades during the peak years of a Soldier's effectiveness.
d. Satisfy the continuing requirement for senior NCOs by the appropriate commands.
e. Provide the command with a tool to control enlisted personnel inventory and manage career progression. The QRP is not to be used in lieu of separation or removal procedures authorized by other regulations, for reasons such as unsatisfactory performance, unsatisfactory participation, failure to meet body fat standards, and so on.
a. The Qualitative Retention Board will consider all unit Soldiers who are within the following zones by the day before the board convene date (with the exception of those listed in paragraph 2-4 ):
(1) At least 20 years of qualifying service for nonregular retired pay as determined under provisions of AR 135-180 , or
(2) Previously selected for retention but whose commander has referred them to the board for revalidation of their retained status.
(3) Previously selected for retention but the board recommended that the Soldier's file be reviewed the following year.
b. The Qualitative Retention Board will examine records of Soldiers in the zone of consideration no more than once every 2 years after they qualify for nonregular retired pay under provisions of AR 135-180, unless the convening authority directs that a Soldier's record be reviewed the following year.
c. Soldiers who should have been reviewed by a board but were not for any reason, other than those listed in para 2-4, will be reviewed by the next scheduled board.
The Qualitative Retention Board will not consider a Soldier who any of the following conditions:
a. Has not completed 20 qualifying years of service for nonregular retired pay by the day before the date the board convenes.
b. Is within 9 months of reaching age 60 on the date the board convenes; or
c. Is not duty military occupational specialty qualified for his/her respective grade, duty position, and MOS (not applicable to the ARNGUS).
d. Has a bar to reenlistment or extension in effect (not applicable to the ARNGUS).
e. Is under suspension of favorable personnel actions ( AR 600-8-2 ), unless the suspension action was initiated for failure to meet the body fat standards UP AR 600-9 , or for failure to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) UP AR 350-1 .
f. Was promoted to his/her current grade less than 1 year prior to the convening date of the board.
g. Is a CSM serving in the position of State Command Sergeant Major or Senior Enlisted Advisor in the ARNGUS or serving as a CSM in a two-star command or higher in the USAR.
h. Is a USAR or ARNGUS military technician previously not selected by a QRP board but who was retained to serve in the current military technician assignment.
i. Is eligible for sanctuary UP 10 USC 12686 by virtue of being on active duty (other than for training) and having more than 18, but less than 20, years of active Federal Service.
j. Is subject to screening under the Qualitative Management Program prescribed by AR 635-200 (that is, Army Reserve Soldiers serving in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program).
State Adjutants General (ARNGUS) and area commanders (USAR) may convene the Qualitative Retention Board consistent with the guidance promulgated by CNGB and CAR in accordance with paragraph 1-4 during January, February, or March of any given year when the numbers and grades of enlisted Soldiers within the state or territory (ARNGUS), area command or specific general officer commands subordinate to the area command (USAR), inhibit or deter the objectives of the QRP outlined in paragraph 2-1 .
a. The board will examine the record of each Soldier within the zone of consideration ( para 2-3 ). The board will provide a report of personnel recommended and a report of personnel not recommended for continued unit service ( para 2-13 ).
b. Commanders specified in paragraph 2-5 , above, will —
(1) Ensure that Soldiers' records are maintained for accurate and equitable board appraisal.
(2) Announce the time and location of the annual qualitative retention board to all subordinate commands.
(3) Select and appoint board members and publish orders.
(4) Issue instructions to subordinate units for submitting required records and information.
(5) Refer personnel records to the board.
(6) Provide required administrative support.
(7) Approve or disapprove the board report.
(8)
Issue selection or nonselection memorandums within 30 days following approval
of the board report. These memorandums will be issued over the convening authority's
signature (figs
2-1
and
2-2
).
(9) Ensure that Soldiers not recommended for retention are transferred (ARNGUS), or reassigned (USAR), as appropriate ( para 2-18 ).
(a) ARNGUS Soldiers are discharged from the Army National Guard of the State and transferred as Reserve of the Army to the Control Group (Reinforcement) in the IRR, or to the Retired Reserve of the USAR, as appropriate.
(b) USAR Soldiers are released from a current TPU assignment and reassigned to the Control Group (Reinforcement) in the IRR, or to the Retired Reserve, as appropriate.
c. Unit commanders will —
(1) Identify unit Soldiers in the zone of consideration for qualitative retention ( para 2-3 ).
(2)
Ensure all Soldiers in the zone of consideration (para 2-3) are notified
(the sample memorandum at
fig 2-3
is a guide).
(3) Ensure personnel records are current, correct, and audited by the Soldier.
(4) Include with the records any comments or recommendations deemed pertinent to retention consideration.
(5) Include a statement either justifying the retention or non-retention of a SGT or below (ARNGUS only).
(6) Send the required information and personnel records to the convening authority ( para 2-5 ).
d. The Soldier, when notified of pending board consideration, will —
(1) Indicate by endorsement to response memorandum ( fig 2-4 ) the option preferred, if not selected for retention. These options are as follows:
(a) Reassignment (USAR), or transfer (ARNGUS), to the Retired Reserve, if otherwise qualified.
(b)
Reassignment (USAR), or transfer (ARNGUS), to the Control Group
(Reinforcement) of the IRR.
(2) Complete the endorsement on to response to notification memorandum ( fig 2-4 ). Return the memorandum to the unit commander within 10 days after receipt. (Soldiers who refuse to complete the endorsement or fail to respond within 10 days will be reported to the unit commander.)
(3) Audit the Soldier's military personnel records to ensure they are current, complete and correct.
(4) If desired, include with the records any comments regarding the pending board consideration. Such comments may include, but are not limited to, the unit commander's comments or recommendations.
Authority to appoint and convene the Qualitative Retention Board rests with the authorities specified in paragraph 2-5 .
a. The board will be composed of three CSMs and two field grade officers as voting members. One officer, in the grade of colonel (or lieutenant colonel if a colonel is not available), will serve as president of the board.
b. A commissioned officer, warrant officer, or NCO will be appointed as recorder without vote.
c. One of the board's voting members must be female if females are considered. One member must be a minority, if reasonably available, if minorities are considered. Orders appointing the board will identify female and/or minority members.
d. A person being considered by the board will not serve as a member of the board or as a recorder.
e. Board members do not have to be from the command that convenes the board.
a. A memorandum of instructions (MOI) will be issued to each board member by the convening authority following the sample in figure 2-5 .
b.
The board will be briefed by a designated representative of
the convening authority. This briefing will cover the entire MOI and direct
board members to read and become familiar with this chapter before beginning
their record vote. It will also give board members an opportunity to ask questions.
a. The following oath will be administered by the recorder to the members of the board: "Do you (identify each member by grade and name) solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will, without prejudice or partiality, and having in view both the special fitness of individual Soldiers and the efficiency of the (Army National Guard of the United States) (Army Reserve), perform the duties imposed on you, and further, that you will not divulge the proceedings or results of this board except to proper authority." Each member will respond, "I do."
b. The president of the board will administer the following oath to the recorder: "Do you (identify by grade and name), as a recorder of this board, solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will perform duties imposed on you by the president of the board, and further, that you will not divulge the proceedings or results of this board except to proper authority." The recorder of the board will respond, "I do."
a. The board will evaluate the future benefits that can be expected to accrue to the ARNGUS or USAR (as appropriate) from the continued service of each person. The board should consider the following factors:
(1) Performance as demonstrated by evaluation reports, review of the Soldier's military personnel file, and other evidence contained in the official record presented to the board.
(2) Medical condition and physical fitness are such that there are no significant assignment limitations.
(3) Any other factor having a bearing on a Soldier's future performance and contribution to a unit.
b. If the board vote is not unanimous, the dissenting member(s) may prepare a minority report to support the dissenting position. A copy of this report will be attached to each copy of the board report.
a. ARNGUS and USAR Qualitative Retention Boards may recommend Soldiers in the zone of consideration ( para 2-3 ) for unit retention.
b. ARNGUS and USAR Soldiers, if retained, will not again be considered for retention unless —
(1) At least 2 years have passed since their last board consideration at the same grade; or
(2) The board recommends that their file be reviewed the following year; or
(3) They have been promoted since their last review and have at least 2 years time in grade by the day before the date the board convenes.
a. Before adjournment, the board will complete a report of the board proceedings in the format shown in figure 2-6 .
b. The recorder will complete a statistical report of the board deliberations indicating the number of Soldiers considered by race and gender by grade and the number of Soldiers retained by race and gender by grade. The statistical report will be in the format shown at table 2-1 .
c. A copy of the board report with all enclosures will be routed through the agencies shown below to arrive at HQDA, DCS, G-1, ATTN: DAPE-MPE, 300 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0300, by 15 June of each year.
(1) For ARNGUS reports, send through Chief, National Guard Bureau, ATTN: NGB-ARZ-HRP-E, 1411 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 3100, Arlington, VA 22202-3231.
(2)
For USAR reports, send through the area commander to
HQDA, DCS, G-1
,
ATTN: DAPE-MPE, 300 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0300.
All copies of board reports will be marked FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY to prevent premature disclosure of board recommendations. These markings will be removed on approval of the board's report by the convening authority.
a. The convening authority will review the qualitative retention board recommendations. Within 30 days following adjournment of the board, the convening authority will —
(1) Approve the report as submitted.
(2) Disapprove a part of or the whole report and require the board to reconsider some or all cases. This will occur if the board report contains substantial administrative errors or procedural deficiencies that adversely affect those considered. The convening authority will give supplemental guidance to the board to correct the deficiencies, or may appoint a new board, if necessary.
(3) Modify the board report to move a Soldier's name from the not recommended list to the recommended list. Justification for any such modification must be attached and made a part of the board report. The convening authority is prohibited from moving a Soldier from the recommended list to the not recommended list.
(4) Require board reconsideration of any individual case in which material error in the record as reviewed by the board is established. The convening authority may do this at any time during 60 days after the board adjourns.
(5) Administratively delete from the recommended list or the not recommended list the name of any Soldier erroneously considered by the board. A Soldier will be determined to be erroneously considered if the soldier had not completed 20 qualifying years of service for non-regular retired pay on the day before the date the board convened ( para 2-4 ), was not within the zone of consideration ( para 2-3 ), or was not to be considered by the board (para 2-4).
b. Reasons for disapproving the results of a board include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) The board membership did not comply with para 2-8 , above.
(2) The MOI to the board was different from the prescribed content and format in figure 2-5 .
(3) The board oath was not properly administered.
(4) The board failed to comply with the MOI.
No Soldier will be considered by a qualitative retention board or separated from unit membership under this chapter unless the Soldier has completed 20 qualifying years of Service for non-regular retired pay no later than the day before the date the board convened. Units shall maintain a written record of each Soldier's acknowledgement of consideration as prescribed in paragraph 2-6 , above.
a. Soldiers who were not selected for retention in ARNGUS units or USAR TPUs are considered fully qualified for continued participation in the USAR as assigned IRR Soldiers if they have not reached 60 years of age.
b. Soldiers not selected for retention will be processed for transfer (ARNGUS), or reassignment (USAR), according to the option selected under paragraph 2-6d(1) and indicated by endorsement to response memorandum ( fig 2-4 ). However, a USAR military technician (dual status) or an ARNGUS military technician (dual status) may request continued retention in his or her current assignment per paragraph 2-17 d or e .
c. The convening authority in paragraph 2-5 , will issue selection or nonselection letters within 30 days after approval of the board report. Transfer or reassignment must be completed within 90 days of the date of the nonselection letter for both ARNGUS and USAR Soldiers. The convening authority may adjust the removal date up to a maximum of 180 days when removal —
(1) Will have an adverse effect on mission accomplishment.
(2) Is not in the best interest of the Service.
d. A USAR military technician (dual status) not selected for retention may submit a request for retention in a current assignment provided the military technician (dual status) is not eligible for an immediate unreduced retirement annuity, will have at least 15 years creditable toward such an annuity on the date the military technician (dual status) would otherwise be removed from the unit, and will become eligible for such immediate unreduced retirement annuity on or before the last day of the month in which the military technician (dual status) becomes 60 years of age. Submit requests to DCS, G-1 , ATTN: DAPE-MPE, 300 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0300 within 15 days after announcement of the board results. The military status or assignment of a USAR military technician (dual status) will not be changed while the request is pending final determination by the CAR.
(1) If the CAR does not approve the request, the Soldier will be processed for reassignment according to the option selected under paragraph 2-6d(1) and indicated by endorsement ( fig 2-3 ) to response memorandum (fig 2-4).
(2) If the CAR approves the request, the Soldier will be retained in his or her current assignment, unless sooner removed for cause, until the earlier of attaining eligibility for an immediate unreduced annuity or age 60. Two consecutive Army Physical Fitness Test failures or failure to meet Army body fat standards are considered cause for removal. These, as well as other for cause removals or medical unfitness, require separation action under AR 135-178 . A later Qualitative Retention Board will not again consider the Soldier. However, since the Soldier was not found best qualified for military retention by a board, but retention was approved to provide for an immediate unreduced civil service annuity eligibility, the Soldier will not be eligible for later promotion consideration (AR 600-8-19, para 1-10 ).
e. An ARNGUS military technician (dual status) not selected for retention may submit a request for retention in a current assignment provided the military technician (dual status) is not eligible for an immediate unreduced retirement annuity, will have at least 15 years of service creditable toward such an annuity on the date the military technician (dual status) would otherwise be removed from the unit, and will become eligible for such unreduced annuity on or before the last day of the month in which the military technician's (dual status) becomes 64 years of age. Submit requests through the chain of command to the State AG within 15 days of announcement of the board results. The military status or assignment of an ARNGUS military technician (dual status) will not be changed while the request is pending final determination by the TAG.
(1) If the State AG does not approve the request, process the Soldier for transfer according to the option selected under paragraph 2-6d(1) and indicated by endorsement (fig 2-3) to response memorandum ( fig 2-4 ).
(2) If the State AG approves the request, the Soldier will be retained in his or her current assignment only until attaining eligibility for an unreduced civil service annuity, unless removed for cause, and in no event past age 64. Two consecutive Army Physical Fitness Test failures or failure to meet Army body fat standards are considered cause for removal. These, as well as other for cause removals or medical unfitness, require separation action under AR 135-178. A later Qualitative Retention Board will not again consider the Soldier. However, since the Soldier was not found best qualified for military service retention by the board, but retention was approved to provide for an immediate unreduced civil service annuity eligibility, the Soldier will be non-promotable (see AR 600-8-19, para 7-4j ).
f. A Soldier may not appeal nonselection for retention by a QRB other than for reason of ineligibility for consideration.
A Soldier who has not been selected for
retention by a qualitative retention board will be transferred (ARNGUS), or
reassigned (USAR), to the Retired Reserve or to the IRR depending on the Soldier's
option (
para 2-6
d
). A subsequent
reaffiliation with, or reassignment to, a unit is prohibited. (See AR 140-10,
table 4-1
, rule 8.)
A related publication is a source of additional information. The user does not have to read it to understand this regulation.
This section contains no entries.
The following forms are available on the APD Web site ( http://www.apd.army.mil ) unless otherwise stated. DD forms are available from the Office of the Secretary of Defense Web site ( http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/formsprogram.htm ).
ADSW
active duty for special work
ADT
active duty for training
AG
Adjutant General
AGR
Active Guard and Reserve
ARCOM
Army Reserve Command
ARNGUS
Army National Guard of the United States
ASA(M&RA)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
AT
annual training
ATC
air traffic controllers
CAR
Chief, Army Reserve
CMF
career management field
CMNCO
career management noncommissioned officer
CSM
command sergeant major
DA
Department of the Army
DCS, G-1
Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1
DOR
date of rank
EPMS
Enlisted Personnel Management System
FORSCOM
United States Army Forces Command
FTNGD
Full-Time National Guard Duty
GOCOM
general officer command
HQDA
Headquarters, Department of the Army
HRC
U.S. Army Human Resource Command
IDT
inactive duty training
IMA
Individual Mobilization augmentee/augmentation
IRR
Individual Ready Reserve
MOI
memorandum of instruction
MOS
military occupational specialty
MSO
military service obligation
MSG
master sergeant
NCO
noncommissioned officer
NCOER
Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report
NGB
National Guard Bureau
OCAR
Office of the Chief, Army Reserve
pam
pamphlet
PEBD
pay entry basic date
PMOS
primary military occupational specialty
QRP
Qualitative Retention Program
RRC
Regional Readiness Command
SD
special duty
SDAP
special duty assignment pay
SFC
sergeant first class
SGM
sergeant major
SGT
sergeant
SMC
Sergeants Major Course
SQI
special qualifications identifier
SSG
staff sergeant
TDA
tables of distribution and allowances
TOE
table of organization and equipment
TPU
troop program unit
TTAD
temporary tour of active duty
USAATCA
U.S. Army Air Traffic Control Activity
USACAPOC
United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command
USAR
United States Army Reserve
USARC
United States Army Reserve Command
USARF
U.S. Army Reserve Forces
USASMA
U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy
Area command
The following are defined as area commands; U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), U.S. Army Pacific Command (USARPAC), U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC), Eighth U.S. Army
Area commander
Commander of area command