Promoting to Sergeant (E-5)
Promoting to Staff Sergeant (E-6)
Your Qualification Results
Qualification Badge:
Total Promotion Points:
function calculateArmyPoints() {
var rank = document.getElementById("promotionRank").value;
var hits = parseInt(document.getElementById("hitsScored").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("armyResultArea");
var badgeSpan = document.getElementById("qualBadge");
var pointsSpan = document.getElementById("totalPoints");
var messageSpan = document.getElementById("qualMessage");
if (isNaN(hits)) {
alert("Please enter a valid number of hits.");
return;
}
if (hits 40) {
alert("Hits must be between 0 and 40.");
return;
}
var points = 0;
var badge = "Unqualified";
var message = "";
// Determine Qualification Badge
if (hits >= 36) {
badge = "Expert";
} else if (hits >= 30) {
badge = "Sharpshooter";
} else if (hits >= 23) {
badge = "Marksman";
} else {
badge = "Unqualified";
}
// Calculation Logic based on AR 600-8-19 (Promotion Point Tables)
// Simplified logic reflecting the standard IWTS (Integrated Weapons Training Strategy) point distribution
if (hits < 23) {
points = 0;
message = "You must hit at least 23 targets to qualify and earn promotion points.";
} else {
if (rank === "SGT") {
// SGT Scale: 40 hits = 160 pts, 23 hits = 68 pts
// Approximation based on standard point table intervals
if (hits === 40) points = 160;
else if (hits === 39) points = 154;
else if (hits === 38) points = 149;
else if (hits === 37) points = 143;
else if (hits === 36) points = 138;
else if (hits === 35) points = 132;
else if (hits === 34) points = 127;
else if (hits === 33) points = 121;
else if (hits === 32) points = 115;
else if (hits === 31) points = 110;
else if (hits === 30) points = 104;
else if (hits === 29) points = 99;
else if (hits === 28) points = 93;
else if (hits === 27) points = 88;
else if (hits === 26) points = 82;
else if (hits === 25) points = 77;
else if (hits === 24) points = 71;
else if (hits === 23) points = 68;
} else {
// SSG Scale: 40 hits = 110 pts, 23 hits = 24 pts
if (hits === 40) points = 110;
else if (hits === 39) points = 105;
else if (hits === 38) points = 100;
else if (hits === 37) points = 95;
else if (hits === 36) points = 90;
else if (hits === 35) points = 85;
else if (hits === 34) points = 80;
else if (hits === 33) points = 75;
else if (hits === 32) points = 70;
else if (hits === 31) points = 65;
else if (hits === 30) points = 59;
else if (hits === 29) points = 54;
else if (hits === 28) points = 49;
else if (hits === 27) points = 44;
else if (hits === 26) points = 39;
else if (hits === 25) points = 34;
else if (hits === 24) points = 29;
else if (hits === 23) points = 24;
}
message = "Great work! This score contributes to your total section points for weapons qualification.";
}
badgeSpan.innerHTML = badge;
pointsSpan.innerHTML = points;
messageSpan.innerHTML = message;
resultDiv.style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Army Weapons Promotion Points
In the United States Army, individual marksmanship is a critical component of professional development and a significant factor in the semi-centralized promotion system for Specialists (SPC) and Sergeants (SGT). The points you earn from your weapons qualification on your primary assigned weapon (usually the M4/M16 series rifle or the M17/M18 pistol) directly impact your total promotion point score on your DA Form 3355.
How the Calculation Works
Under the current Army Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS), soldiers fire at 40 targets. The number of hits determines your qualification level:
Expert: 36 – 40 hits
Sharpshooter: 30 – 35 hits
Marksman: 23 – 29 hits
Unqualified: Below 23 hits
The Sliding Scale for Promotion Points
The Army uses a specific table to convert hits into promotion points. These tables differ depending on whether you are competing for promotion to SGT (E-5) or SSG (E-6):
For SGT Candidates: The maximum points allowed is 160. A perfect score of 40 hits yields the full 160 points, while a minimum qualifying score of 23 hits yields approximately 68 points.
For SSG Candidates: The maximum points allowed is 110. A perfect score of 40 hits yields 110 points, while a minimum qualifying score of 23 hits yields 24 points.
Practical Examples
Example 1: A Specialist (SPC) shooting for promotion to SGT scores 34 hits. This qualifies them as a Sharpshooter and earns them 127 promotion points toward their total score.
Example 2: A Sergeant (SGT) shooting for promotion to SSG scores 38 hits. This qualifies them as an Expert and earns them 100 promotion points.
Importance of Re-Qualification
It is important to note that your weapon qualification score must be current in the Digital Training Management System (DTMS) to count for promotion. If your qualification expires, your promotion points for that category drop to zero until you re-qualify. Soldiers are encouraged to attempt to "shoot for expert" during every qualification range to maximize their competitive standing for promotion.