Being notified that you have been selected for separation under the Qualitative Management Program is an inherently stressful experience. It has the potential to affect every fabric of your life and make you feel overwhelmed if you have no idea how to navigate the process.
However, with thorough preparation and a little bit of homework, you can present your best appeal to the QMP board and increase your chances of being retained in the Army.
What is the QMP?
The QMP is a quality-control process where a board convenes, simultaneously with Senior Non-
Commissioned Officer promotion boards, to determine which Soldiers will be considered for involuntary separations. Staff sergeants through sergeants major who fail to comply with the Army standards for behavior and performance will be considered for involuntary separation or retirement.
Soldiers are subject to QMP processing, and possible involuntary separation, when derogatory information is placed in the performance section of their official file, which is called the Army Military Human Resource Record.
Documents that can trigger a QMP screening must be based on performance or conduct that occurred during a Soldiers current grade. The Army does not reach back to events that occurred prior to the Soldier's most recent promotion. Paperwork that triggers the QMP are:
n A General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand
n Conviction by Court-Martial, or punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ n NCOER under the DA Form 2166-8 series or 2166-9 series rating system that documents Relief for Cause, indicates non-compliance with Army standards, and senior rating of "unqualified" for overall potential
n An Academic Evaluation Report that documents an NCOES course failure
n Failure to qualify for promotion consideration because the NCO did not complete required NCOES
course for his grade. A staff sergeant must have completed Advanced Leader Course, and a sergeant first class must have completed Senior Leader Course, before reaching 36 months time in grade for their respective rank.
What are your options if you are being considered for separation under the QMP?
Soldiers who have been selected for possible separation have the option to submit rebuttal matters
of mitigation or extenuation for consideration by the president of the board. The matters must be
submitted as one file and in the order in which they are to be presented to the board. The rebuttal matters will be submitted alongside your AMHRR and any documents which formed the basis for the QMP consideration. Any documents already filed in the AMHRR should not be included. You can also decline to submit matters, however this is not a recommended strategy.
What you include in your rebuttal matters
Rebuttal matters should include the QMP documentation, letters of support, and a written statement
by you establishing reasons why you should be retained in the Army. The message should convey
that you meet the Army's standards for NCOs and that you should be retained despite the derogatory information.
Your statement should be thorough and emphasize your military/civilian education, leadership
or critical positions held, your job positions held, how you contributed to the success of your subordinates, military awards or medals, desire to serve, honorable service that outweighs deficiencies, and any other actions that merit retention. You should also establish how you possess the traits desirable of an NCO in today's Army. The traits are personal values, competence, physical fitness/military bearing, leadership, training, and responsibility and accountability.
You must show why you are an asset and what your future potential service will be to the
Army. Your letters of support should be from your current and prior supervisors detailing your accomplishments, duty titles, impact on the unit, their opinion of your future potential, and whether they would serve with you again.
If appropriate, you must include evidence of improvement since the incident giving rise to the
review. This can include upward trend on NCOERs, recent awards, completion of service schools, recent volunteer work, or significant leadership achievements.
What should you do if you served with a QMP notification?
You should contact the Fort Jackson Legal Assistance Office at 803-751-4287 to arrange
a consultation with a legal assistance attorney. We can help with the preparation of rebuttal statements and appeals.
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