Let’s talk about Army Directive 2026-11
The Army released an important new policy this summer that could give Soldiers and officers a better chance to move forward after derogatory information enters their military records.
Army Directive 2026-11, issued on June 10, 2026, changes how the Army screens adverse information during officer promotions and certain senior enlisted selection processes. The directive reflects a significant shift away from allowing a single allegation or incident to follow a Soldier indefinitely.
Under the new policy:
Adverse information generally must be supported by a preponderance of the evidence.
A probable-cause determination alone generally does not qualify as adverse information.
Adverse information generally must be less than 10 years old, subject to limited exceptions.
A favorable adjudication of the same matter may prevent it from being treated as adverse information.
Information considered by a promotion board or review board through which an officer was retained for promotion will generally be treated as cleared for subsequent promotions.
The same adverse information should not repeatedly penalize an officer at multiple promotion points, except when required by law or Department policy.
These changes may be particularly important for Soldiers with an old GOMOR, referred evaluation, investigation, or other derogatory information that continues to affect promotion and career opportunities despite years of excellent performance.
The directive does not automatically remove documents from a Soldier’s Army Military Human Resource Record. Relief may still require an application to the Department of the Army Suitability Evaluation Board, Army Special Review Board, Army Board for Correction of Military Records, or another appropriate authority.
A military attorney can help determine whether the new directive applies, identify what information was actually presented to a promotion or review board, and develop the strongest available request for removal, amendment, promotion reconsideration, or other corrective relief. That may include gathering prior board decisions, favorable evaluations, evidence of rehabilitation, command endorsements, and proof that the disputed information has already served its intended purpose.
Derogatory information can have serious consequences, but it does not always have to define the rest of a Soldier’s career. Army Directive 2026-11 provides important new arguments for Soldiers seeking a fair opportunity to move forward.