06.01.18

Hoeven Cosponsors National Guard Promotion Accountability Act

Legislation Addresses Federal Delay in Recognizing Guard Promotions

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that he is cosponsoring the National Guard Promotion Accountability Act, legislation to address delays in the federal recognition of promotions for National Guard members and provide compensation for raises missed during the federal waiting period.  

“North Dakota National Guard members are ‘always ready and always there’ whenever they are called upon to serve,” said Hoeven. “This legislation will help to improve the federal process for recognizing their promotions or appointments to ensure that they receive both the recognition and compensation they have earned.”   

Both the state and federal government must recognize promotions or appointments of National Guard members. While this review is important, delays in the federal recognition process can have negative impacts on Guard officers and negatively impact retention, recruitment and morale. To help address this, the legislation would: 

  • Compensate Guard officers awaiting federal recognition by backdating their date of rank to the date at which it was recognized by the state.
  • Require the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force to report on the status of promotion scrolls that exceed their recognition date and the reason for any delays.
  • Require a report to Congress with recommendations on improvements to the process.

The legislation is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States.

-###-