Command Sergeant Major / Sergeant Major,
Two years ago, IPPS-A launched to more than 1.1 million Soldiers across all components. Thank you for continuing to encourage your Soldiers to learn the system.
I want to provide you with some updates, guidance, and resources to share with your units as they continue to navigate IPPS-A:
Frocking vs. Promotions
It has come to my attention that, for whatever reason, Soldiers that are frocked to 1SG and/or SGM are being erroneously promoted in IPPS-A. Though commanders (COL/O6 and above) may authorize Soldiers in the rank of SFC to be frocked to 1SG, and the Sergeant Major Management Division (SMMD)/Human Resources Command (HRC) will generate a memorandum authorizing the frocking of MSGs to SGM, things like ID cards, personnel data systems, and pay/entitlements
will not be changed to reflect the frocked rank.
What does that mean to you and why am I bringing it up?
Soldiers
should not change the rank entry date (RED) or the grade entry date (GED) in IPPS-A to the effective date of the frocking
nor should they add a frocked rank.
Please inform your S1s that no frocking actions should be completed as a promotion in IPPS-A. These erroneous promotions can negatively impact actual promotions for your Soldiers. I have included a useful presentation from our friends at HRC.
Soldier Focused Job Aids
If you have ever heard me brief, you will notice that I bring up something quite often. We have put forth great effort in ensuring our HR Pros have the tools they need to be successful. Where I think we might have missed the mark is truly understanding that this is no longer just an HR system.
We know this is a system leaders can use to better visualize their respective formations and we should understand that this is a Soldier must know how to use for submission of myriad of actions. Knowing that, we must provide you the proper tools to also set your leaders and self-service Soldiers up for success as well.
We recently developed or updated Job Aids designed to help Soldiers navigate specific scenarios in IPPS-A. Your leaders may find the below Self-Service Job Aids particularly helpful.
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Recertification
- Personnel Record Review (PRR)
- Personnel Records Update
- Racial Ethnic Designation Category (REDCAT)
It may be worthwhile to ensure all Soldiers have at training on these items along with proper absence submission and your expectations for PAR submissions. You may find all job aids here:
Resources,
S1Net, and the
Training Aids.
Submitting a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Event
While I know I touched upon the importance of accurate PCS absence submissions, I want to make sure I stress upon it once more. Please provide your PCSing Soldiers with the
Submitting a PCS Event Quick Sheet. This product will help guide them through the process and provide them with additional training resources.
IPPS-A User Manual
We are working on the next version of the IPPS-A User Manual. As always, we welcome any contributions from Soldiers the field.
Please inform your NCOs that the cutoff date to submit comments for the next version is
14 February 2025. Input may be added to the IPPS-A User Manual Comment Tracker at
R3 IPPS-A Resources.
Resources
Ensure your NCOs have the information and materials they need to succeed and support their Soldiers. User guides, manuals, and job aids are available to assist
all users, and can be found here:
https://ipps-a.army.mil/Training/Training-Aids/.
Our IPPS-A group on Facebook is a great place to connect with peers and access real-time updates, dialogue, and answers to questions. Under the tab labeled “Files,” you will find helpful resources. To join, visit
https://www.facebook.com/groups/875398305999928. Remember that, though this is a good resource, I encourage users to first refer to our primary resources (i.e., User Guide, training aids, etc.); while peer-to-peer communication and knowledge sharing is great, it should be taken in tandem with the official IPPS-A documents we have created.
For additional information and resources, your NCOs may also visit our website at
https://ipps-a.army.mil/.
IPPS-A is helping our Soldiers meet the mission requirements of today and of the future. Your leadership is helping Soldiers become more empowered!
Please let me know if you have any questions or need help — we are here for you!
V/r,
SGM Paul J. Smith
Senior Enlisted Advisor
DCS - G1, IPPS-A FMD
Learn more about IPPS-A