| Document Release Information | |
| Article Number | J-008 |
| Version | 1.0 |
| Effective | |
| Last Modified | 01FEB25 |
| Approving Authority | Joint Forces Commander |
| For Video Game Use Only (FVGUO) | |
This policy establishes clear guidelines for the demotion and removal of members to maintain a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment. It ensures accountability, fairness, and transparency in addressing behavior that violates community standards, disrupts harmony, or undermines the command’s mission.
At the time of any transfer, a member may be subject to demotion due to the new requirements, duties, responsibilities, and expectations of the newly assigned primary billet. No member can be non-punitively demoted to a rank below the minimum billet’s rank, and must follow the reduction policy set forth in J-001 Ranks & Units Section 4.1 Meritorious Promotions as applicable.
A member may be granted an exception from non-punitive demotions following a primary billet transfer by the Component Commander (or Director) in their new billet’s Chain of Command (CoC).
Commanders at each level may recommend a punitive demotion of any trooper under their command to the minimum rank of the billet assigned. Recommendations must be made to the next leadership element in their CoC for verification of the intent to demote and purpose. With approval the Commander has 72 hours to contact the trooper and inform them of the demotion through official communications methods (Voice Channel, {more methods listed here in the future}), upon completion or the trooper has not responded or attended the in-person notification within the 72 hours the Commander can then submit the notice to J1 for processing.
During the official notification, the trooper may inform the Commander of their attempt to appeal. See below for the appeal process. If the individual elects to appeal, immediately pause further proceedings and inform the next Commander in your CoC.
Demotions to a non-membership rank (discharge from the unit, not the discord) require approval from a Component Commander or above before proceeding with a notification of demotion.
Upon notification of a demotion through an official communication method, the individual has a right to appeal the decision at a later date, the following are not permitted during a demotion notification:
After the Commander completes their notification of demotion but prior to dismissal the Commander must ask the individual of their intent to appeal. If this option is not offered immediately notify the next in CoC of your intent to appeal.
If an individual answers affirmatively for an appeal, the proceedings will halt and the CoC up to the Component Commander will be notified.
Appeals will primarily be handled at the Wing’s direction. They must consist of an official review of the actions/events that led to the reason to demote a board of at least 3 officers (at one rank or above the individual conducting the demotion and not the individual’s immediate Commander), and review the notification process conducted. Upon an unanimous decision by the board to uphold a demotion the individual will be notified by the board of the final decision. If the board agrees to continue with the demotion the highest ranking individual on the board will notify the individual’s CoC, the Wing Commander, and J1 to process the result.
Demotions made by the JFC, JFDC, or the CJS require an exception to the appeal process since a board of 3 different officers of higher rank likely cannot be conferred, therefore appeals of a demotion notice by any one of the previous mentioned three, would result in a demotion review board by all three of the Joint Staff with a requirement of a unanimous decision to uphold the demotion.
Anyone who discharges during IPT/ITT/ICT or as a result of a failure of the IPT/ITT/ICT Programs, and elects not to take on a different IPT/ITT/ICT billet.
Any member who is requesting to be discharged (via a Discharge PAF) while in good standing will receive an honorable discharge upon exit from the unit.
Any member of the vJFC who leaves while under a period of punitive action, or is not in good standing, will receive a less than honorable discharge.
Any member of the vJFC who absents themselves from the discord without filing a PAF or is still in the discord but has made no contact with squadron leadership for two weeks will be considered AWOL.
Former members found to be AWOL will receive a LtHD, with a notation for cause with AWOL.
Members discharged under this condition will have a 30 day cooling off period before they can reenlist and reattempt a IPT/ITT/ICT program.
Upon re-enlistment there will be a 30 day cooling off period before being eligible for a leadership billet assignment or a secondary billet in a Joint Staff Directorate. This is to ensure members have the time and ability to commit to the unit again before taking on roles of greater responsibility.
Any member re-enlisting who at any time received a LtHD for any other cause, even if their latest discharge was honorable are subject to review by the Joint Staff prior to their application being accepted.
Members who received a Less than Honorable Discharge for any other cause in their prior service tour will be subject to a 6 month cooling off period from the vJFC and a review from the Joint Staff prior to their application being accepted.
Members who receive an LtHD for cause with AWOL will be subject to a 3 month cooling off period from the vJFC and a review from the Joint Staff prior to their application being let in. If a member has multiple LtHD for cause with AWOL discharges in their service record it can result in a longer period of time before their application will be considered.