U.S. Army Administrative Promotion Points for E-5/E-6

U.S. Army soldiers can be the recipients of a variety of awards, decorations, achievements, Personal Fitness Test (PFT) scores, and badges for their military service, especially when defending the country in times of conflict.

The goal of the Army's award program is to enhance mission accomplishments by identifying excellence of both military and civilian members of the force and motivating them to high levels of performance and service. The awards program allows for an objective grading method for soldiers in the Army in promotable status. A new system of promotion points was developed in 2011 and updated in 2015.

Multiply the number of points authorized by the number of awards received:

Awards and Medals

Soldier’s Medal or higher award/decoration	40
Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device	35
Bronze Star Medal	30
Purple Heart	30
Defense Meritorious Service Medal	25
Meritorious Service Medal	25
Air Medal with “V” Device	25
Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device	25
Air Medal	20
Joint Service Commendation Medal	20
Army Commendation Medal	20
Joint Service Achievement Medal	10
Army Achievement Medal	10
Good Conduct Medal	10
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal	10
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with or without “M” Device)	10
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal	10

Badge Promotion Points

Combat Infantry Badge	30
Combat Medical Badge	30
Combat Action Badge	30
Expert Infantry Badge	30
Expert Field Medical Badge	30
Master Parachute Badge	20
Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge	20
Senior Parachute Badge	15
Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge	15
Presidential Service Badge	15
Vice President Service Badge	15
Drill Sergeant Badge	15
Basic US Army Recruiter Badge	15
Parachute Badge	10
Parachute Badge	10
Parachute Rigger Badge	10
Divers badge	10
Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge	10
Pathfinder Badge	10
Air Assault Badge	10
Aircraft Crewman Badge	10
Secretary of Defense Service Badge	10
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge	10
Army Staff Identification Badge	10
Space Badge	10
Tomb Guard Identification Badge	10
Driver and Mechanic Badge	10

Point Values

As you advance your training and skills throughout your career, points for some badges increase. For instance, the basic parachute badge is 10 points, the senior parachute badge is 15 points, and the master parachute badge is 20 points.

Promotion points increase through the following levels: Basic recruiting is worth 15 points, Gold recruiting is worth 20 points, and Master recruiting is worth 20 points toward advancement and promotion.

Hazardous Duty Points

The Hazardous Duty specialty gains extra points due to the danger involved. A basic parachutist can receive an extra 20 points, a senior parachutist can receive an extra 25 points, and a master parachutist can receive an additional 30 points when in hazardous duty areas conducting difficult training or real-world combat missions.

Certificates of Achievement

Certain specific achievements are awarded the following points:

Soldier/NCO of the Quarter – BDE Level	10
Soldier/NCO of the Quarter	15
Soldier/NCO of the Year – MACOM	25
Distinguished Honor Graduate	15
Distinguished Leadership Award	10
Commandants List	5

The Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)

For three years of faithful service by exhibiting exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity, enlisted members are eligible for the Army Good Conduct Medal. However, if the term of service being reviewed for advancement does not meet the three-year term to be eligible for the AGCM, the added points cannot be used for the current promotion board.

The period of service is used to determine eligibility for promotion points (orders issued late do not result in a retroactive promotion point adjustment). The date of the order or ending period, whichever is later, will be used to determine eligibility for promotion points on all remaining awards, such as the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, or Meritorious Service Medal.

Awards and decorations earned in other U.S. Uniformed Services receive the same points as corresponding/ equivalent Army awards. An online calculator is available to determine your promotion/advancement number.