Headquarters, Department of the Army has rescheduled the CY21 U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) command boards to from June 2020 to October 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 impact. The Army Reserve is seeking to fill available command positions with highly capable and motivated leaders.
The CY21 Command Preference Designator and “My Board File “dates have been extended to ensure every qualified officer has an opportunity to compete for command and validate their preferences in light of this new normal.
The CY21 U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Colonel (COL) Troop Program (TPU) and CY 21 Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Command Boards are scheduled for October 6, 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 and CY 21 Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Command Boards is August 30, 2020.
Eligible AGR, IRR, and IMA COLs, 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) and CY 21 U.S. Army Reserve Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Command Boards are scheduled for October 20, 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 September 7, 2020.
Eligible AGR, IRR, and IMA LTCs, 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 August 30, 2020 for the CY21 COL TPU Command Board and September 7, 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/AGR “My Board File” tool will be available July 1, 2020 to August 30, 2020.
The CY21 USAR LTC TPU/AGR “My Board File” tool will be available July 1, 2020 to September 7, 2020.
For more information, please refer to MILPER Messages 20-180, 20-181 and 20-182 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.