When are military officers considered for promotion to the rank of general ahead of schedule?

(NLDO)- From March 3, 2025, new regulations on criteria and standards for considering promotion to the rank of general ahead of schedule will take effect.

The Government has just issued Decree No. 59/2025/ND-CP stipulating criteria and standards for considering early promotion to the rank of general for officers of the Vietnam People's Army.

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, presented flowers to congratulate a number of officers who were promoted to the rank of general in September 2024. Photo: People's Army Newspaper

According to the Decree, the promotion of generals ahead of schedule is carried out uniformly and synchronously in the army, promptly and accurately motivating those with especially outstanding achievements and excellence in combat and work.

Consideration for promotion to the rank of general is only given when the officer's current rank is two or more ranks lower than the highest rank of the position or title he or she is holding, which is general; during the term of holding a position, consideration is given for promotion to the rank of general only one rank higher. Promotion to the rank of general before the term is given when the officer's current rank is lower than the highest rank of the position or title he or she is holding.

The criteria for medals, exceptionally outstanding and outstanding achievements to be considered for promotion to the rank of general ahead of schedule are achievements in combat, combat service and work recognized by the form of commendation or state honorary titles, state awards according to the provisions of the Law on Emulation and Commendation (not including forms of commendation based on seniority or dedication process).

The time of being awarded medals, honorary titles of the state, and state prizes must be within the term of holding the current military rank. In case an officer has many achievements during his/her term, only the highest achievement will be applied to consider promotion to a higher rank or ahead of schedule.

The Decree stipulates that officers whose current military rank is two or more ranks lower than the highest military rank of the position or title they are holding, which is general, and who have made exceptionally outstanding achievements will be considered for promotion to a higher military rank when awarded one of the following forms of commendation:

Firstly, the forms of medals: Gold Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, First Class Independence Order, First Class Military Exploit Order, First Class Labor Order, First Class Fatherland Protection Order, First Class Military Exploit Order;

Second, state honorary titles: Title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Title of Hero of Labor; Third, Ho Chi Minh Prize.

Decree No. 59 also stipulates the criteria and standards for considering early promotion to the rank of general. Accordingly, officers are considered for early promotion to the rank of general when they meet the criteria and standards for promotion to the rank of general according to the regulations above, but their current rank is one level lower than the highest rank of the position or title they are holding. The time of consideration is after the officer has a decision on commendation.

Officers who are considered for early promotion to the rank of general when they have made outstanding achievements will be awarded one of the following forms: Independence Medal, Second Class, Third Class; Military Exploit Medal, Second Class, Third Class; Labor Medal, Second Class, Third Class; Fatherland Protection Medal, Second Class, Third Class; Military Exploit Medal, Second Class, Third Class; Bravery Medal. The time for early promotion to the rank of general shall not exceed 24 months. Special cases not specified above shall be considered and decided by competent authorities.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/si-quan-quan-doi-duoc-xet-thang-quan-ham-cap-tuong-vuot-bac-truoc-thoi-han-khi-nao-196250305190047348.htm