Joint task force credit expansion

Infantry Magazine, Summer, 2002

More officers will be given credit for temporary Joint Task Force (JTF) deployments as a result of a credit expansion.

The JTF credit rule, approved upon release of the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act on December 28, 2001, was expanded to include operations conducted in an environment where an extremely fragile state of peace and a high potential for hostilities co-exist. Previously, the rule granted JTF credit only for service in a combat area of operations.

Officers eligible for credit must have served at least 90 consecutive days on the JTF headquarters staff (not in subordinate organizations or service components), be in the rank of captain, filling a major billet or above, and be on the "active duty list" affected by joint officer management legislation and policy. Reserve component members and "professional" specialties are excluded.

Joint duty credit is not automatically awarded, but it may be recommended for officers who meet the criteria.

Eligible officers should submit a credit nomination package with a memo and enclosure noting service data. The memo should include a summary recommendation for cumulative Joint Duty Assignment credit, identify nominee(s) by name and grade, dates of JTF service, number of days served, and name of specific JTF.

Officers should also provide an enclosure detailing nominees' service data and position identification. The officer's personal and position identification information, grade at the time of the JTF assignment, career specialty, JTF headquarters arrival and departure dates, duty location and contact information, as well as source documentation are essential to the processing of the nomination package.

Source documentation includes the officer record brief, award citation, and travel orders and vouchers. Multiple officer requests may be consolidated into a single submission; however, each request must contain a separate summary in the prescribed format.

Retroactive joint service credit for duty applies to the following operations during the respective time periods:

Operation Northern Watch

Aug. 1, 1992--To Be Determined

Operation Southern Watch

Aug. 27, 1992--TBD

Operation Able Sentry

June 26, 1993--Feb. 28, 1999

Operation Joint Endeavor

Dec. 25, 1995--Dec. 19, 1996

Operation Joint Guard

Dec. 20, 1996--June 20, 1998

Nomination packages must be received at the Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM) no later than November 1, 2002. The memo should be addressed to the CDR, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-OPB-J (MAJ Leven Pressley-Sanders); 200 Stovall Street; Alexandria, VA 22332-0411.

Army officers are advised to contact MAJ Pressley-Sanders, joint policy officer, at DSN 221-8129 or (703) 325-8129, or email presslel@hoffman.army.mil for further information about the process.