Army Retention

HQDA EXORD 117-26 Army Retention Program - Quality Tiered Incentive (QTI) Program (Final).pdf [PDF - 51.7 KB]

HQDA EXORD 117-26 Annex A - Quality Tiered Incentive Program Guidance (Final).pdf [PDF - 112.4 KB]

ANNEX C - Commanders Guide - QTI-PROGRAM.pdf [PDF - 434.3 KB]

HQDA EXORD 117-26 Annex B - Quality Tiered Incentive Point Worksheet (Final).pdf [PDF - 168.3 KB]

Identification Counseling - QTI-P Identification Counseling.pdf [PDF - 234.4 KB]

Bottom Tier Counseling - QTI-P Bottom Tier Counseling.pdf [PDF - 234.5 KB]

Q1: What is the Quality Tiered Incentive Program (QTI-Program)?
A: QTI-Program links reenlistment incentives to a soldier’s performance. Company Commanders will evaluate and stratify eligible soldiers into "Quality Tiers" based on their physical fitness, technical expertise, and leadership performance. This tiering determines the monetary amount a soldier may receive if they are eligible for a Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB).

Q2: Who does QTI-Program apply to?
A: The program applies to all Regular Army enlisted soldiers who are entering their reenlistment opportunity window. Even soldiers who are flagged or otherwise ineligible for reenlistment must be stratified in the event they become eligible in the future.

Q3: How is a soldier’s Quality Tier determined?
A: A soldier’s tier is determined by their Company Commander, who uses a Quality Tier Score Card to assess three main categories:

1. Physical Fitness: Based on documented fitness scores.
2. Technical Expertise: A combination of certified ASIs, SQIs, PDSIs, tabs, and badges earned in formal military training.
3. Commander Performance Review: A commander's assessment of leadership potential and performance, which can include factors like certifications, degrees, or other command-recognized quality measures.

Q4: What is a "Cohort"?
A: A cohort consists of all soldiers within the same Rank and Military Occupation Specialty (MOS). For example, all 11B Sergeants in a company would be in the same cohort. A Soldier’s promotable status does not move them to a higher cohort.

Q5: Does my Quality Tier guarantee me a bonus?
A: No. Monetary incentives are only available to soldiers in an MOS that is authorized a bonus on the current SRB MILPER message. QTI determines the amount of the bonus if one is offered; it does not create a bonus entitlement on its own.

Q6: What is the difference between a "Quality Tier" and a "STEP"?
A: The "Quality Tier" is your ranking based on performance (1 being the highest quality). The "STEP" is the corresponding payment level for your SRB. The relationship is inverse:

Quality Tier 1 = STEP 4 (Highest bonus payment)

Quality Tier 2 = STEP 3 (1 less than Step 4)

Quality Tier 3 = STEP 2 (1 less than Step 3)

Quality Tier 4 = STEP 1 (1 less than Step 2)

Q1: What are my primary responsibilities in the QTI-Program process?
A: Your primary responsibilities are to stratify your eligible population by cohort, execute Quality Tier Score Cards for each soldier, counsel all affected soldiers, submit the final OMLs, and provide justification to the Battalion Commander for validation and any adjustments you make to a soldier’s tier.

Q2: How do I know which of my soldiers need to be stratified?
A: Your unit's Career Counselor will provide you with a by name eligibility roster of all soldiers entering their reenlistment window.

Q3: Can I adjust a Soldier’s tier if I disagree with the score from the calculation tool?
A: Yes. You are authorized to adjust a soldier’s tier higher or lower if you deem it necessary. However, you must be able to provide clear justification for the adjustment to the Battalion Commander during the validation process.

Q4: What is the placement limit for Tier 1?
A: You are limited to placing no more than 50% of overall population into Tier 1.

Q5: How do I handle a new soldier who PCSs into my company?
A: You must review the incoming soldier’s current QTI-Program assessment and place them into your unit's OML within the first 30 days. However, you may not adjust their tier level based on your own determination until after the following quarter and a 90-day assessment by their first-line leadership has been completed.

Q6: How often do I need to review my unit's OMLs?
A: A full review and calculation must be conducted annually (at a minimum) during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Quarterly reviews are highly encouraged to keep OMLs current with personnel changes.

Q7: The guidance mentions using "command-recognized quality measures" in my performance review. What are some concrete examples of what I can include beyond formal certifications?
A: You can consider a wide range of factors that demonstrate a soldier’s quality and potential. Examples include:

• Leadership Roles: Documented performance as a team leader, squad leader, or acting platoon sergeant.
• Exceptional Duty Performance: Recognition for outstanding performance in their primary duties (e.g., master gunner, lead technician).
• Civilian Education: Progress toward or completion of a college degree or civilian certifications relevant to their military role.
• Physical Excellence: Consistently high performance on diagnostic fitness tests or excelling in unit competitions.
• Additional Duties: Taking on significant responsibilities outside of their primary MOS, such as UPL, Safety NCO, or other key unit roles, and performing them well.
• Military Bearing & Discipline: Consistently demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.

Q8: What is the specific protocol for a soldier who is on long-term TDY, attached to another unit, or on a special duty assignment during the stratification period?
A: The responsibility for stratifying a soldier remains with their parent/home unit commander. You must coordinate with the soldier’s temporary chain of command to receive a fair and accurate assessment of their performance to incorporate into your unit's OML. The gaining unit cannot formally stratify the soldier, but their input is critical.

Q9: My cohort has a natural break/tie in scores right at the 50% mark for Tier 1 placement. How do I decide who makes the cutoff?
A: This is where your commander's discretion is essential. If the Quality Tier Score Card results in a tie at the cutoff, you must use your "Commander's Performance Review" and overall assessment to make the final decision. You should be prepared to clearly articulate the justification for your choice (e.g., one soldier demonstrated superior leadership during a recent field exercise) to the Battalion Commander during validation.

Q10: What happens if a soldier’s flag is lifted after the initial stratification? Can their tier be immediately adjusted?
A: Yes. If a soldier was initially stratified but ineligible for incentives due to a flag, and that flag is subsequently lifted, you should immediately conduct a review. The soldier can then be placed appropriately on the OML and become eligible for the corresponding SRB STEP level, provided they still meet all other reenlistment criteria. This does not require waiting for the next quarterly review.

Q1: What is my role in the QTI-Program process?
A: You are a key facilitator. Your role includes providing eligibility rosters to command teams, transcribing scores to create the cohort OMLs, presenting the OMLs to company and battalion command teams for validation, and ensuring reenlistments are executed using the correct, validated quality tiers and step payments.

Q2: What happens if a soldier’s records are incorrect in the system?
A: All QTI-Program scoring must be based on qualifications found in official systems of record (IPPS-A, ATIS, iPERMS). Hard copy forms (like a paper DA705) are not accepted. If a soldier’s records are out of date, they must work with their leadership and local S1 to have their qualifications properly uploaded and corrected according to current policies.

Q3: How is the final OML validated?
A: After the Company Commander stratify their soldiers, you will present them to the Battalion Command Team for validation. This ensures oversight and validates any commander adjustments.

Q4: What happens if a soldier wants to appeal their tier placement?
A: A soldier has seven calendar days to submit an appeal via a MFR to their commander. The appeal is endorsed for errors only and is forwarded through the battalion for a final determination by the Brigade Commander.

Q5: What if a soldier refuses to sign their Quality Tier Score Card after an appeal?
A: The soldier remains eligible for any reenlistment bonus incentive established by the Company Commander, but at a rate no higher than that initial offer. They are still required to sign the score card to remain eligible for monetary incentives determined by the QTI process.

Q6: A soldier insists their records in IPPS-A are wrong and that this is negatively impacting their score. The S1 has not been able to fix it yet. Can the commander use hard-copy proof (e.g., a diploma, a course certificate) for scoring?
A: Yes, if the certification is validated by an authorized official. The soldier will not present the certification to the Career Counselor it must be certified through S1. The guidance is explicit that all scoring must be based on qualifications found in official systems of record. As the Career Counselor, your role is to advise the command that while the S1 works to correct the record, the stratification must proceed based on the current official data. The soldier has the right to appeal based on the discrepancy, which can then be formally reviewed.

Q7: How is the SRB STEP level for a reenlistment contract calculated if the soldier’s tier changes between the time of their initial counseling and the date, they actually sign the contract?
A: The SRB STEP level is determined by the soldier’s validated Quality Tier at the time of reenlistment. If a Soldier’s tier is adjusted (either higher or lower) in a subsequent quarterly or annual review, their reenlistment contract must reflect the new, current STEP level. It is your responsibility to ensure the contract is executed using the most recent validated OML.

Q8: What is the process for a soldier who has no peers in their rank and MOS within the company (i.e., they are the only one in their cohort)?
A: If a soldier is the sole member of their cohort, the Company Commander still completes the Quality Tier Score Card. However, since there is no one to stratify against, the commander assigns the tier based on their individual merit and performance. The 50% rule for Tier 1 placement would not apply, but the commander's assignment must still be justified and validated by the Battalion Commander.

Q9: A Company Commander wants to adjust more than half of their OMLs, citing unique circumstances. Is this allowed?
A: While commanders have the authority to adjust tiers, significant or widespread adjustments may invite higher scrutiny. As the Career Counselor, you should advise the commander to prepare exceptionally strong and detailed justifications for each adjustment. The Battalion Commander has the final endorsement authority and is responsible for ensuring the program's intent is met and that tiers are being applied equitably across the formation.

Q10: Where can I find the documents and templates needed for this process?
A: Counseling templates and other resources are available for download at the Army retention website.