Headquarters, Department of the Army will conduct several CY21 U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) command boards this summer to fill available command positions with highly capable and motivated leaders.

The CY21 U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Colonel (COL) Troop Program (TPU) Command Board is scheduled for June 22, 2020 through July 2, 2020, to select USAR COLs and promotable Lieutenant Colonels (LTCs) to command USAR brigades in CY21. The application closing date for the CY21 COL TPU Command Board is April 6, 2020, and is approaching fast.

In order to maximize the pool of candidates for the CY21 COL TPU Command Board, USAR leadership made the decision to automatically consider eligible TPU COLs, promotable LTCs, as well as LTCs in the primary and above the zone for promotion this fiscal year, giving them the opportunity to withdraw from consideration (opt-out) if they do not want to be considered. 

Eligible AGR, IRR, and IMA COLs, LTCs in the primary zone for promotion and promotable LTCs may opt-in for the CY21 COL TPU Command Board.

The CY21 U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Troop Program (TPU) Command Board is scheduled for July 8, 2020, through August 3, 2020, to select USAR LTCs and promotable Majors (MAJs) to command USAR battalions in CY21. The application closing date for the CY21 LTC TPU Command Board is April 22, 2020.    

In order to maximize the pool of candidates for the CY21 LTC TPU Command Board, USAR leadership made the decision to automatically consider eligible TPU LTCs, promotable MAJs, as well as MAJs in the primary and above the zone for promotion this fiscal year, giving them the opportunity to withdraw from consideration (opt-out) if they do not want to be considered. 

Eligible AGR, IRR, and IMA LTCs, MAJs in the primary zone for promotion and promotable MAJs may opt-in for the CY21 LTC TPU Command Board.

Officers who are interested in a command opportunity must visit the U.S. Army Human Resources Command’s Command Preference Designator (CPD) tool to select and rank the units available for command slating.  The tool also permits non-AGR applicants to indicate a mileage range which they are willing to travel to take command. The CPD tool is located on the U.S. Army Human Resources Command's (HRC) website at https://preferences.hrc.army.mil/HTDocs/.  A Common Access Card (CAC) is required to access the CPD tool.

Eligible TPU officers who do not select units, list mileage, or if selected units are already slated, will be considered for TPU commands based on their position on the Order of Merit Lists, needs of the Army, and reasonable commuting distance from their Home of Record (HOR), if recommended by the board.

Officers who are in the opt-out population group who do not want to be considered must visit the CPD tool and select the “not compete” option to officially decline consideration.  AGR/IMA/IRR officers must apply (opt-in) in order to be considered.

Officers may decline consideration at any time prior to official slating without negative consequences.  Even if an officer submits their units and/or mileage and later changes his or her mind prior to the application period closing, the officer can still decline consideration without adverse consequences in the CPD tool prior to April 6, 2020, for the CY21 COL TPU Command Board and April 22, 2020 for the CY21 LTC TPU Command Board.  However, any declination submitted after an officer is selected for command may be considered with prejudice and could negatively impact the officer’s career, including disqualification from consideration on future Command Boards. Therefore, if an officer is going to decline command, it is best to do it now in the CPD prior to the application closing date.

Exceptions to “opt-out” populations:

• Non-AGR COLs currently in command with a command tenure end date after September 2021 are not eligible for command on the CY21 COL TPU Command Board.
• Non-AGR LTCs currently in command with a command tenure end date after September 2021 are not eligible for command on the CY21 LTC TPU Command Board.

A “How-to” Guide for CPD is available on MilSuite at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-603139.

Candidates must also certify their “My Board File” via the Human Resource Command’s Self Service Tools (https://www.hrcapps.army.mil/portal).

The CY21 USAR COL TPU “My Board File” tool will be available April 24, 2020, to June 15, 2020.

The CY21 USAR LTC TPU “My Board File” tool will be available May 10, 2020, to July 1, 2020.

For more information, please refer to MILPER Messages 19-377 and 19-379 or send an email to the USARC G-1 Command Board Team's inbox at usarmy.usarc.usarc-hq.mbx.ar-g1cmdboards@mail.mil.  Officers who encounter difficulties in accessing CPD need to contact MAJ Misty West of the HRC USAR Command Board Team at misty.j.west.mil@mail.mil.