JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The Department of the Army recently reinstated a policy allowing U.S. Soldiers to apply Army Community Service class hours toward promotion points.
The policy, which began Dec. 17, 2014, in accordance with Army Regulation 600-8-19, allows Soldiers to earn four promotion points for each 40 hours of ACS courses after a lieutenant colonel or above signs a DA Form 87, certifying the course.
At Fort Eustis, Virginia, Army Community Service courses are available throughout the week free of charge for all Service members, retirees and spouses. Also, Soldiers working at Langley Air Force Base can take advantage of the base's services to improve their promotion chances.
"Since this is a joint base, the Soldiers of Fort Eustis have an advantage," said Donna Cloy, ACS Army family teambuilding manager and installation volunteer coordinator. "They are also allowed to take classes with the Family Advocacy Program at Langley."
The ACS courses including the new parent support program, financial readiness training, deployment education and Army family team building classes will count toward promotion.
Cloy said the ACS has the ability to process the DA Form 87 for the Soldiers and send it up the chain-of-command.
The memorandum noted that Soldiers who are recommended by their leadership for possible disciplinary actions will not be allowed to earn promotion points.
"We are glad the Army has realized the value of the training that is offered at ACS," said Cloy. "These courses are good for the Soldiers."
For more information, call 878-3638.