I wanted to provide another update on where we are now and how I see the future direction regarding ALARACT 147/2013, HQDA EXORD 161-13 Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program Army Stand-Down.
I've made a determination on the majority of all the original cases that called for review by the ALARACT. I expect we'll have the remainder done by the end of the month, at which time the processing of new cases will transition away from the ALARACT processing team.
HQDA continues to refine its guidance regarding continued ALARACT processing and I will provide that updated guidance to you as soon as I have it.
The Army continues to release DA Select Recruiters no longer eligible to serve in a position of special trust back to operational units. Commanders will ensure these released NCOs receive evaluations commensurate with their performance and potential while they were assigned to USAREC.
The Army has also started notifying certain senior 79R NCOs that they are being reclassified to Special Reporting Code 09U. NCOs identified for 09U so far have or will be given the opportunity to serve to 20 years AFS and retirement eligibility. It is a CCIR to me if HRC identifies an NCO for 09U without the opportunity to serve to 20 years AFS, as I view this as a de facto involuntary separation.
09U NCOs will either be PCS'd to other positions IAW Needs of the Army, or remain at current location attached or assigned to another organization in the no cost move footprint; in no case can an 09U remain in USAREC.
The reclassification action itself cannot be appealed. If, however, as I indicated in my last ALARACT Strength 6 Sends, I expect and direct Commanders to ensure that any Soldier effected by the ALARACT be afforded the opportunity to request reconsideration by providing new, missing or amplifying information for my consideration. It is a Commander's responsibility to ensure I receive those requests as well as any request initiated by an effected Soldier who wants to request a waiver:
- Once a Soldier has been served with Notice of Removal IAW ALARACT 147/2013, new and material evidence may come to light. New and material evidence is evidence, not previously considered, that the offense did not happen.
- Evidence of mitigating and extenuating circumstances will be less persuasive.
- Matters in mitigation are particular acts of good conduct or bravery and evidence of the reputation or record of the Recruiter in the service for efficiency, fidelity, temperance, courage, or any other trait that is desirable in a Recruiter.
- Extenuating circumstances are explanations why the offense was not that serious.
- Commanders may forward to the CG, USAREC, previously undisclosed information related to the administrative removal of Soldiers from recruiting under ALARACT 147/2013.
- Brigade Commanders will send the matters to the USAREC G1 for processing to me. Brigade Commanders will only forward requests that they endorse.
- The attached slide lays out the reconsideration process flow.
- Any such waiver requests MUST be submitted for command consideration and arrive at this HQs by 11 APRIL 2014.
I know this process continues to put considerable stress and uncertainty on much of our team. I am committed to conducting a thorough, unbiased review of our force IAW the DA screening guidance.
In cases where a recruiter is identified for removal from USAREC because of confirmation of an ALARACT-related disqualifying condition, I continue to direct Commanders to ensure that Soldier and Family continue to be treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.
Strength starts here!
MG Allen Batschelet