https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN19240_AD2019-27_Web_Final.pdf
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2019-27 (Direct Appointment of Officers Up to the Grade of
Colonel (Other Than Special Branches))
1. References. A list of references is in enclosure 1.
2. Purpose. This directive establishes policy for the direct appointment of officers up to
the grade of colonel. This directive supersedes relevant provisions in Army directives;
Army regulations; and Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 entry grade credit guidance that
control direct appointments for officers.
3. Applicability
a. This directive applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/Army National
Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.
b. This directive does not apply to inter-Service or inter-component transfers
pursuant to Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1300.04 (Inter-Service and Inter-
Component Transfers of Service Members).
4. Responsibilities. Details are in enclosure 2.
5. Entry Grade Credit
a. A person’s entry grade, date of rank, and service in grade for promotion eligibility
will be determined by the amount of entry grade credit awarded upon original
appointment. The amount of entry grade credit will equal the sum of the prior
commissioned service credit and the constructive service credit granted.
b. Credit will be awarded pursuant to Title 10, U.S. Code, sections 533 and 12207
(10 U.S.C. §§ 533 and 12207) and DoD Instruction 1312.03 (Entry Grade Credit for
Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers).
c. A period of time will be counted only once when calculating entry grade credit.
d. Qualifying periods of less than 1 full year will be proportionally credited to the
nearest day.
e. Prior commissioned service credit will be calculated before constructive service
credit.
S E C R E T A R Y O F T H E A R M Y
W A S H I N G T O N
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2019-27 (Direct Appointment of Officers Up to the Grade of
Colonel (Other Than Special Branches))
2
6. Entry Grade and Promotion Phase Points
a. A person granted entry grade credit in accordance with this directive and placed
on the active duty list or reserve active status list will have an entry grade determined by
comparing entry grade credit with the appropriate promotion phase-in points of the
competitive category concerned.
b. Credit awarded that exceeds the amount used to establish the entry grade will be
used to adjust the date of rank.
7. Prior Commissioned Service Credit. Credit for prior service as a commissioned
officer (except as a commissioned warrant officer) will be awarded for previous
commissioned service performed in any Military Service, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, or the U.S. Public Health Service.
a. For regular appointments, credit will be awarded on a day-for-day basis for any
active commissioned service in an active status in the field or specialty in which the
person is being appointed.
b. For reserve appointments, credit will be awarded on a day-for-day basis for any
commissioned service as a regular officer or as a reserve officer in an active status in
the field or specialty in which the person is being appointed.
c. No less than half-day credit for each day of such service credit will be awarded
for prior commissioned service in a field other than the field or specialty for which the
person is currently being appointed.
8. Constructive Service Credit. Constructive service credit is awarded when
commissioned service begins after the additional education, training, or experience
required for appointment, designation, or assignment in a professional specialty or a
specifically designated field is obtained. Constructive service credit provides a person
the grade and date of rank comparable to a contemporary who began commissioned
service immediately after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Constructive service credit will
be granted pursuant to guidance in DoD Instruction 1312.03, paragraph 3.4.
9. Grade Above Major Board
a. No person may be appointed as a commissioned officer above the grade of
major as a Regular Army or reserve component officer unless recommended for
appointment by a board of officers convened on my behalf pursuant to my instructions.
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2019-27 (Direct Appointment of Officers Up to the Grade of
Colonel (Other Than Special Branches))
3
b. Appointments to the grades of lieutenant colonel and colonel are reserved for the
most experienced, critical, and meritorious applicants to fill operational needs.
10. Age and Age in Grade. Age and age in grade requirements, established in Army
Regulation 135-100 (Appointment of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the Army)
and Army Regulation 601-100 (Appointment of Commissioned and Warrant Officers in
the Regular Army) remain unchanged. Waivers continue to be authorized.
11. Service Availability
a. Regular Army applicants are no longer required to complete 20 years of active
commissioned service before their 62d birthday for an original appointment as a
commissioned officer.
b. Applicants for appointment in the Regular Army must be able to complete
10 years of active commissioned service by the date they have completed 20 years of
active Federal service.
12. Mandatory Removal Date
a. Mandatory removal dates for Regular Army officers as prescribed by 10 U.S.C.
§§ 631–637a and 1251 remain unchanged.
b. Reserve component officers in grades above first lieutenant may be selectively
continued on active duty in designated specialties up to the first day of the month after
the month in which the officer completes 40 years of active service.
13. Initial Military Training
a. All applicants without prior commissioned service will be required to attend
officer initial military training consisting of Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC)
phases A and B.
b. All applicants with prior commissioned service in the U.S. Army who completed
BOLC A and B with more than a 3-year break in service will attend BOLC A.
c. Prior service personnel from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast
Guard appointed pursuant to this directive will attend BOLC A, Direct Commission
Course regardless of the length of their break in service.
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2019-27 (Direct Appointment of Officers Up to the Grade of
Colonel (Other Than Special Branches))
4
14. Proponent. The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 is the proponent for this policy. Under
the policy oversight of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve
Affairs), the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will coordinate the revision of applicable Army
regulations to incorporate the provisions of this directive within 2 years from the date of
this directive.
15. Duration. This directive is rescinded upon publication of all the revised regulations.
Encls Ryan D. McCarthy
Acting
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
U.S. Army Forces Command
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
U.S. Army Materiel Command
U.S. Army Futures Command
U.S. Army Pacific
U.S. Army Europe
U.S. Army Central
U.S. Army North
U.S. Army South
U.S. Army Africa/Southern European Task Force
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
U.S. Army Cyber Command
U.S. Army Medical Command
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
U.S. Army Financial Management Command
Superintendent, United States Military Academy
(CONT)
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2019-27 (Direct Appointment of Officers Up to the Grade of
Colonel (Other Than Special Branches))
5
DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Commandant, U.S. Army War College
Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency
CF:
Director of Business Transformation
Commander, Eighth Army
Army Directive 2019-27 Enclosure 1
REFERENCES
a. Title 10, United States Code, sections 531–533 (10 U.S.C. §§ 531–533) (Original
appointments of commissioned officers), as amended August 13, 2018.
b. 10 U.S.C. § 637a (Continuation of active duty: officers in certain military specialties
and career tracks), as amended August 13, 2018.
c. 10 U.S.C. § 1251 (Age 62: regular commissioned officers in grades below general
and flag officer grades, exceptions), as amended January 7, 2011.
d. 10 U.S.C. § 12201 (Reserve officers: qualifications for appointment), as amended
January 7, 2011.
e. 10 U.S.C. § 12203 (Commissioned officers: appointment, how made, term), as
amended January 7, 2011.
f. 10 U.S.C. § 12204 (Commissioned officers: original appointment; limitation), as
amended January 6, 2006.
g. 10 U.S.C. § 12207 (Commissioned officers: service credit upon original
appointment.
h. 10 U.S.C. § 14509 (Separation at 62: reserve officers in grades below brigadier
general or rear admiral (lower half)), as amended October 17, 2006.
i. Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1300.04 (Inter-Service and Inter-
Component Transfers of Service Members), July 25, 2017.
j. DoDI 1304.25 (Fulfilling the Military Service Obligation (MSO)), October 31, 2013.
k. DoDI 1304.26 (Qualification Standards for Enlistment, Appointment, and Induction),
March 23, 2015; Incorporating Change 3, October 26, 2018.
l. DoDI 1310.02 (Original Appointment of Officers), March 26, 2015.
m. DoDI 1312.03 (Entry Grade Credit for Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers),
December 28, 2018.
n. DoDI 6000.13 (Accession and Retention Policies, Programs, and Incentives for
Military Health Professions Officers (HPOs)); December 30, 2015; Incorporating
Change 1, Effective May 3, 2016.
Army Directive 2019-27 2 Enclosure 1
o. Army Directive 2017-26 (Pilot Program for Direct Commission to Cyber Positions),
27 Oct 2017 (hereby superseded).
p. Army Regulation 135-100 (Appointment of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of
the Army), 1 September 1994.
q. Army Regulation 601-100 (Appointment of Commissioned and Warrant Officers in
the Regular Army), 21 November 2006.
Army Directive 2019-27 Enclosure 2
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) ASA (M&RA)
has the authority to approve exceptions or waivers to the policy in this directive, other
than the requirement for a Grade Above Major Board, that are consistent with
controlling law and regulations. This authority may be further delegated no lower than a
division chief within the Directorate Military Personnel Management. The ASA (M&RA)
will:
a. serves as the proponent for functional area (FA) 58.
b. identify and report, in writing, needed qualifications, experience, training, and
education for FA 58.
2. The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-1 will issue implementing guidance governing
selection and constructive credit boards considering direct appointment applicants for
other than special branches.
3. The Chief, National Guard Bureau will:
a. identify technical requirements and skills for direct commission Army promotion
list officers in the Army National Guard.
b. identify the personnel requirements for direct commission Army promotion list
officers in the Army National Guard.
c. develop order of merit lists based on identified prospective direct commission
Army promotion list officers.
d. tender approved offers of appointment to selected applicants.
4. The Chief of Army Reserve will:
a. identify technical requirements and skills for direct commission Army promotion
list officers in the U.S. Army Reserve.
b. identify the personnel requirements for direct commission Army promotion list
officers in the Army Reserve.
c. develop order of merit lists based on identified prospective direct commission
Army promotion list officers.
d. tender approved offers of appointment to selected applicants.
Army Directive 2019-27 2 Enclosure 2
5. The Commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) will:
a. identify and report, in writing, needed qualifications, experience, training, and
education in other than special branches and FAs to the DCS, G-1 for use in the
recruitment, selection, and management of direct commission officers.
b. identify and report, in writing, to the DCS, G-1 any skill gaps in the operational
force for future development of FAs and branches, as necessary.
c. manage the recruitment of all prospective officers who apply for direct
commissioning with assistance from U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC).
d. provide subject matter experts to participate in the applicant interview process.
e. recommend applicants for appointment to Army components and constructive
service credit based on the individual experience, training, and education of the
applicants.
f. base recommendations for appointment and constructive service credit on the
recommendation of a board. Pursuant to Secretary of the Army instructions, appoint
board members and refer applicants to a Grade Above Major Board, when applicable.
g. submit appointment and constructive service credit recommendations with
accompanying board results to U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Officer
Readiness Directorate for processing.
h. tender approved appointments to qualified applicants.
i. complete and maintain written work plans before the appointed officer’s arrival at
his or her first unit of assignment.
j. identify which established initial military training/Direct Commission Course direct
commission applicants will attend.
k. coordinate with the DCS, G-3/5/7 to establish appropriate Basic Officer Leader
Course (BOLC) B for all FAs.
l. direct the Commander, USAREC to:
(a) develop a marketing plan and distribute information about Army Competitive
Category and Army Promotion List direct appointment up to colonel to all recruiting
stations. Ensure that recruiters can effectively communicate information about the
program to interested citizens and the private sector.
Army Directive 2019-27 3 Enclosure 2
(b) facilitate LiveScan and Military Entrance Processing Station processing for
identified prospects.
(c) facilitate administration of the Occupational Physical Assessment Test to
prospects to determine suitability for Army service.
m. direct the Training Operations Management Activity to ensure available training
seats for the Direct Commission Course for all other than special branches and FAs.
6. The Commander, U.S. Army Futures Command will:
a. identify and report, in writing, to TRADOC and the DCS, G-1 emerging skills for
direct commission officers not inherent to already established branches and FAs.
b. operate as the commissioning source for direct commission Army Futures
Command officers into newly established branches and FAs for emerging skills
identified in paragraph 4a.
7. The Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic
Command will:
a. identify and report, in writing, needed qualifications, experience, training, and
education in FA 40 (Space Operations) to the DCS, G-1 for use in the recruitment,
selection, and management of direct commission officers.
b. identify and report, in writing, to TRADOC and the DCS, G-1 any skill gaps in the
operational force for future development of FAs and branches, as necessary.
c. manage the recruitment of all prospective officers who apply for direct
commission in FA 40 with assistance from USAREC.
d. provide subject matter experts in FA 40 to participate in the applicant interview
process.
e. recommend applicants for appointment to Army components and constructive
service credit based on the individual experience, training, and education of the
applicants for service in FA 40.
f. base recommendations for appointment and constructive service credit on the
recommendation of a board. Pursuant to Secretary of the Army instructions, appoint
board members and refer applicants to a Grade Above Major Board, when applicable.
g. submit appointment and constructive service credit recommendations with
accompanying board results to Human Resources Command, Officer Readiness
Directorate for processing.
Army Directive 2019-27 4 Enclosure 2
h. tender approved appointments to qualified applicants.
i. complete and maintain written work plans for FA 40 before the appointed officer’s
arrival at his or her first unit of assignment.
j. coordinate with TRADOC, through the Director, Directorate of Training and
Doctrine, to establish appropriate programs of instruction (POIs) for FA 40 BOLC B.
8. The Commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command will:
a. identify and report, in writing, needed qualifications, experience, training, and
education for Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations to the
DCS G-1 for use in the recruitment, selection, and management of direct commission
officers.
b. manage the recruitment of all prospective officers who apply for direct
commissioning with assistance from USAREC.
c. recommend applicants for appointment to Army components and constructive
service credit based on the individual experience, training, and education of the
applicants.
d. base recommendations for appointment and constructive service credit on the
recommendation of a board. Pursuant to Secretary of the Army instructions, appoint
board members and refer applicants to a Grade Above Major Board, when applicable.
e. submit appointment and constructive service credit recommendations with
accompanying board results to Human Resources Command, Officer Readiness
Directorate for processing.
f. tender approved appointments to qualified applicants.
g. complete and maintain written work plans before the appointed officer’s arrival at
his or her first unit of assignment.
h. direct subordinate commanders to identify emerging skills for direct commission
officers not inherent to already established branches and FAs to fill critical gaps in the
operational force.
9. The ASA (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) will:
a. identify and report, in writing, needed qualifications, experience, training, and
education in FA 51 (Research, Development and Acquisition) to the DCS, G-1 for use in
the recruitment, selection, and management of direct commission officers.
Army Directive 2019-27 5 Enclosure 2
b. identify and report, in writing, to TRADOC and the DCS, G-1 any skill gaps in the
operational force for future development of FAs and branches, as necessary.
c. provide subject matter experts in FA 51 to participate in the applicant interview
process.
d. recommend applicants for appointment to Army components and constructive
service credit based on the individual experience, training, and education of the
applicants for service in FA 51.
e. base recommendations for appointment and constructive service credit on the
recommendation of a board. Pursuant to Secretary of the Army instructions, appoint
board members and refer applicants to a Grade Above Major Board, when applicable.
f. submit appointment and constructive service credit recommendations with
accompanying board results to Human Resources Command, Officer Readiness
Directorate for processing.
g. tender approved appointments to qualified applicants.
h. complete and maintain written work plans for FA 51 before the appointed officer’s
arrival at his or her first unit of assignment.
i. coordinate with TRADOC to establish appropriate POIs for FA 51 BOLC B.
10. The DCS, G-3/5/7 will:
a. identify and report, in writing, needed qualifications, experience, training, and
education in FAs 48 (Foreign Area Officer), 52 (Nuclear and Counter Proliferation), and
59 (Strategist) to the DCS, G-1 for use in the recruitment, selection, and management of
direct commission officers.
b. identify and report, in writing, to TRADOC and the DCS, G-1 any skill gaps in the
operational force for future development of FAs and branches, as necessary.
c. manage the recruitment of all prospective officers who apply for direct
commission in FAs 48, 52, and 59 with assistance from USAREC.
d. provide subject matter experts to participate in the applicant interview process.
e. recommend applicants for appointment to Army components and constructive
service credit based on the individual experience, training, and education of the
applicants.
Army Directive 2019-27 6 Enclosure 2
f. base recommendations for appointment and constructive service credit on the
recommendation of a board. Pursuant to Secretary of the Army instructions, appoint
board members and refer applicants to a Grade Above Major Board, when applicable.
g. submit appointment and constructive service credit recommendations with
accompanying board results to Human Resources Command, Officer Readiness
Directorate for processing.
h. tender approved appointments to qualified applicants.
i. complete and maintain written work plans for FAs 48, 52, and 59 before the
appointed officer’s arrival at his or her first unit of assignment.
j. coordinate with TRADOC to establish appropriate POIs for FAs 48, 52, and 59
BOLC B.
11. The DCS, G-8 will:
a. identify and report, in writing, needed qualifications, experience, training, and
education in FAs 49 (Operations Research/Systems Analysis), 50 (Force Management)
and 57 (Simulations Operations) to the DCS, G-1 for use in the recruitment, selection,
and management of direct commission officers.
b. identify and report, in writing, to TRADOC and the DCS, G-1 any skill gaps in the
operational force for future development of FAs and branches, as necessary.
c. manage the recruitment of all prospective officers who apply for direct
commission in FAs 49, 50, and 57 with assistance from USAREC.
d. provide subject matter experts in FAs 49, 50, and 57 to participate in the
applicant interview process.
e. recommend applicants for appointment to Army components and constructive
service credit based on the individual experience, training, and education of the
applicants for service in FAs 49, 50, and 57.
f. base recommendations for appointment and constructive service credit on the
recommendation of a board. Pursuant to Secretary of the Army instructions, appoint
board members and refer applicants to a Grade Above Major Board, when applicable.
g. submit appointment and constructive service credit recommendations with
accompanying board results to Human Resources Command, Officer Readiness
Directorate for processing.
h. tender approved appointments to qualified applicants.
Army Directive 2019-27 7 Enclosure 2
i. complete and maintain written work plans for service in FAs 49, 50, and 57
before the appointed officer’s arrival at his or her first unit of assignment.
j. coordinate with TRADOC to establish appropriate POIs for FAs 49, 50, and
57 BOLC B.
12. The Chief of Public Affairs will:
a. identify and report, in writing, needed qualifications, experience, training, and
education in FA 46 (Public Affairs) to the DCS, G-1 for use in the recruitment, selection,
and management of direct commission officers.
b. identify and report, in writing, to TRADOC and the DCS, G-1 any skill gaps in the
operational force for future development of FAs and branches, as necessary.