Selection for master sergeant continues to be one of the toughest promotion cuts in the Army, with fewer than 9 percent of the nearly 20,000 Regular Army and Active Guard and Reserve (Army Reserve) NCOs considered by this year's E8 board being picked up for advancement.

In addition to its promotion selection duties, the combined RA and AGR board, which met Feb. 10 - March 5, also conducted retention screenings under the Qualitative Management Program and Qualitative Service Program.

The QMP review focused on NCOs who are facing possible involuntary separation or early retirement because they are not in compliance with Army standards for behavior or job performance.

The QSP screening focused on sergeants first class in several specialties that will have declining promotion and career opportunities during the drawdown and force reorganization of the next few years.

Statistics are not yet available on the number of soldiers adversely affected by the retention reviews.

A review of promotion statistics shows that of the 16,658 Regular Army sergeants first class considered by the board, only 1,502 were recommended for advancement. The overall select rate of 9 percent compares to rates of 11.7 percent in 2014 and 8.6 percent in 2013.

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The select rate for primary-zone soldiers was 6.6 percent (10,720 considered, 712 selected), while more junior NCOs in the secondary zone had a select rate of 13.3 percent (5,938 considered, 790 selected).

A review of statistics for Active Guard and Reserve soldiers shows an overall select rate of 8.1 percent (2,875 considered, 235 selected), which is a marked improvement over the 5.8 percent (3,198 considered, 188 selected) rate in 2014.

The primary-zone select rate for the Army Reservists was 7.2 percent (2,302 considered, 167 selected), 11.8 percent (573 considered, 68 selected).

Under the Army's up or out system for enlisted soldiers, the retention control point for sergeants first class is 26 years of active service, while the RCP for sergeants first class on a recommended list for master sergeant is 29 years, the same as for soldiers who are promoted to master sergeant.

Promotions from the new lists can begin as soon as scheduled by the Army. After May promotions, 335 names will remain on the 2014 Regular Army selection list, and none on the AGR list.

Soldiers who accept promotion to master sergeant incur a three-year active-duty service obligation.

The Herndon monument was capped in 1 hour 38 minutes and 36 seconds today by Midshipman 4th Class (freshman) Javarri Beachum, 19, of Port Saint Joe, Fla. Each year, the roughly 1,000 members of the academy's plebe (freshman) class form a human pyramid around the 21-foot tall Herndon Monument to remove a plebe hat, or "dixie cup," that upperclassmen have placed on the top of the obelisk monument which is covered in lard.

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