Program helps Army retain best NCOs

By Sgt. 1st Class Juan AguilarMay 29, 2014

The Qualitative Management Program (QMP) was developed to ensure that only noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who consistently maintain a high standard of performance, efficiency, morality and professionalism are permitted to continue to serve on active duty.

Recently, the QMP has been revised to expand eligibility criteria to all senior noncommissioned officers regardless of time in service and to staff sergeant Soldiers.

Army Directive 2014-06, "Qualitative Management Program," revises Army policies for the QMP and is applicable to regular Army, Reserves and Active Guard Reserve Soldiers in the ranks of staff sergeant through command sergeant major.

It identifies NCOs whose performance, conduct or potential for advancement do not meet Army standards for continued service. This is determined by the approved recommendations of Head-quarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) centralized selection boards that are responsible for the QMP selection. This directive is effective as of April 10 and will remain in effect until publication of the revised Army Regulation 635-200.

NCOs subject to QMP consideration will receive written notification from Human Resources Com-mand (HRC). It will afford them an avenue to address mitigating or extenuating circumstances to the president of the board.

Retirement eligible NCOs may submit a retirement application in lieu of board consideration.

In the event NCOs are denied continued active service by the board process, they may submit voluntary retirement, if otherwise eligible, with retirement to occur no later than the first day of the seventh month following the date of HQDA approval of the board results.

Soldier's selected for involuntary retirement that are not retirement eligible, as of the established involuntary separation date, will also separate on the first day of the seventh month following the date of HQDA approval of the board results.

The HRC centralized selection board will consider NCOs for denial of continued service when the board receives one of the following documents for permanent filing in the performance or restricted folder of the NCO's Army Military Human Resource Record: general officer memorandum of reprimand; conviction by court-martial or punishment under Article 15; Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report, "Relief of Cause," or a no annotation in Part IV or a senior rating of 4 or 5 in Part V; Department of the Army Form 1059 reflecting Non

commissioned Officer Education System (NCOES) course failure.

This material must be based on performance or conduct in the NCO's current grade.

Soldiers may also be considered for QMP if the general court martial convening authority requests referral of an NCO to a QMP screening board and it is approved by the Army deputy chief of staff for personnel.

Finally, Soldiers will be reviewed by a QMP board if they have not completed the appropriate level of the NCOES training after 48 months time in grade.

The HRC notification memorandum will provide guidance for submitting appeals. Intent to appeal must be submitted by the notified NCO to HRC within seven days of the receipt of the notification memorandum denying continued service.

NCOs whose appeals are denied will be involuntarily discharged and will occur no less than 90 days after the NCO receives pre-separation counseling as required by law in U.S. Code 10, Section 1142. This counseling may be scheduled before or after a final determination of discharge is made.

It is in the best interest of all NCOs to update their files, live the Army values, take initiative and responsibility for their actions, and adhere to the "Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer."

If you have any further questions, The Office of the Inspector General is at 1643 Randolph Road next to Nye Library. Office hours are weekdays, except for regularly scheduled training and federal holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our contact numbers are 580-442-3109/3224 or you may e-mail us at: usarmy.sill.fcoe.mbx.fort-sill-inspector-general@mail.mil.

If you call during nonduty hours, you may leave a voice mail and we will return your call the next duty day.