The Unit Manning Report, often referred to as the Unit Manning Roster is quite perhaps the most important personnel document a small unit leader can use to track the readiness of their unit. It provides both a snapshot and an in depth analysis of the personnel strength of an Army Unit. When used wisely, this information will help the commander improve the unit’s readiness and personnel strength. It identifies areas to improve, shows unit strengths and highlights other important readiness indicators.
If you are a small unit leader (Company Commander, Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, etc) you need to have a firm grasp on your unit’s Unit Manning Report. This document allows you to:
1) Track unit strength
2) Track personnel readiness
3) Have a list of upcoming ETS
4) Identify unit vacancies
5) Identify MOSQ and non MOSQ
6) And so much more!
What Information is On the Unit Manning Report?
In all, there are more than 20 different categories on the report. Some of these categories include:
1. Position Number: Every position in the Army has a position number that is unique to the position.
2. Position Title: This is the name of the position, such as Company Commander, Maintenance Platoon Leader, or Platoon Sergeant.
3. Name: Soldier’s first and last name with middle initial.
4. Para/Lin: This is the paragraph and line number assigned by the authorization document, either the MTOE or TDA.
5. SSN: Self Explanatory.
6. Duty Position Requirement Code: This is the duty MOS for the position.
7. POSD/ASI/LIC: These are the language identification code, additional skill identifier or Personnel Occupational Designator Type required of the duty position.
8. Duty Qualification Code: This tells you whether the soldier is qualified for the duty position, or not. This is the most important area of the report.
9. Grade: This is the pay grade.
10. Clearance: This tells you if the duty position requires a clearance.
11. Branch: This is the officer branch or MOS for enlisted.
12. Identification Sex: This explains if the duty position is gender specific.
13. Bonus Status: This tells you the status of the bonus payment for each one of the soldiers.
14. Date Assigned Unit: Self explanatory.
15. Date Assigned to Position: Self explanatory.
16. Date of Rank: Self explanatory.
17. Mandatory Removal Date/ETS: This shows you when each of your soldiers is eligible to leave the military.
This is the major information you will find on the report. There are a few other areas too.
Tips to Manage Your Unit Manning Report
During my two years in Company Command (ARNG), I relied on this document weekly. I carried an updated copy in my Leader Book at all times. I kept previous versions as historical evidence. I used the document as a reference when briefing my boss, and I made each one of my subordinate leaders carry a copy of their respective section’s/platoon’s Unit Manning Report. Listed below are a few tips I’d like to share with you.
1. Monitor it Weekly: Even though your unit meets just one weekend each month, you should monitor this document weekly. Have your unit Readiness NCO print you a fresh copy each week, or at a minimum every other week. Review the document to identify areas to work on. And look for errors.
2. Make Sure SIDPERS Processes Your Updates: When you find errors, or need something updated, make sure it gets fixed in a timely manner. Sometimes I would request four or five changes on our Unit Manning Report, and it could take upward of 90 days to get it fixed. You have to be proactive and make sure your Readiness NCO is working with your S1 and SIDPERS to follow up, otherwise, there’s a good chance your changes won’t get fixed.
3. Keep Close Track of Soldiers Assigned to the RSP: Sometimes, new soldiers just show up on your Unit Manning Report. In most cases, I’m talking about new recruits. These are the soldiers who just enlisted and are assigned to the RSP. And sometimes soldiers will get added to your UMR without you knowing about it. This could include transfers from other states and transfers from the IRR.
4. Monitor Soldiers Scheduled in Excess: Make sure you don’t have soldiers slotted in an excess slot, especially if there is a unit vacancy they could fill.
5. Focus on Progress: Each month, track your progress for your unit. Compare it to the previous month. Look at numbers such as assigned, vacancies, duty MOSQ, non duty MOSQ, etc. Focus on making small improvements each month and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in one year.
6. Keep Track of Deployed Soldiers: In most cases, when an ARNG Soldier deploys, they take their duty position with them. That means they are slotted in your unit and are part of your unit strength, even though they are not physically there. Make sure you keep track of these soldiers, especially when they return from deployment.
7. Educate Yourself: Spend some time with your Readiness NCO, S1 and SIDPERS Rep. Learn the basics about the report so you know how to read it and what you should look for. You can even read AR 600-8-6, which is the regulation that covers the Unit Manning Report.
These are just a few things you can do to maximize the information on the report and improve your personnel and training readiness. The bottom line up front is to be proactive and manage your Unit Manning Report, rather than letting it manage you.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Unit Manning Report, sometimes referred to as the Unit Manning Roster is a very important document covering the personnel readiness of the unit. It features many aspects of personnel strength and readiness to include members assigned, authorized members, MOSQ, non MOSQ, bonus status, soldier names, duty positions and so much more. As a small unit leader in the Army National Guard, you should actively manage your unit’s UMR, so you can maintain a high level of unit readiness.
Do you have anything you can add to these Unit Manning Report tips? Do you have any questions? Just post them below. Thank you.
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Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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I’m a new 1SG with and EN BN and I’m going thrugh our UMR and immediately realized there were codes on theis documant that I had no idea what they meant. Is there a place where I can go to find what the codes identify and where on the report they are located. I’ve read AR 600-8-6 and I can’t find the answer I’m looking for.
Are you familiar with the pros and cons of interview only positions on the UMR? Just trying to figure out of these “interview only” positions are hindering our ability to fill our ranks?
I would like to know how would I would go about getting a copy of my unit manning report for one month while I was station in Germany in 1974. I have been given different answers each time I call NPRC in Missouri and was even told that I would have put a request to National Archives in Maryland. All I want is the name of fellow veteran that was in Germany while I was there.
Personally, if I were in a command position, I would carry the Unit Manning Report with me at all times. It can first, help you remember names and the soldier’s MOS. I also agree with the fact of keeping close track on your report of the soldiers who are deployed. That information can help you ask for volunteers to man areas that have need of help.
Any commander who is not using this report to its utmost is very unwise in my opinion.
It was definitely one of my most important tools as a Company Commander.
Thanks, Don. I added the regulation per your request. It is AR 600-8-6. As far as expanding the picture, I will see what I can do.
Chuck
Sir,
Good information regarding the Unit Manning Report. It would help if the sample image expanded to a readable image though. Also, what regulation would I find additional details regarding this report?
v/r,
D