NCOs up to the Rank of Serjeant (Inclusive)

(28) Promotions up to the rank of Serjeant inclusive are in the hands of COs and may be made for reasons given in Regulations for 2 NZEF, paras J2–20.

(29) NCOs up to the rank of Serjeant will be sent forward with replacement drafts in the normal course of events, i.e., no notice will be taken of the number of these ranks in the Units at the time. (See para (12) above.)

(30) If after the arrival of a reinforcement draft a unit finds that its establishment of NCOs of any particular rank is exceeded, any temporary NCOs of that rank will revert to the next lower rank until the correct establishment is reached. If, after the reversion of temporary NCOs, there is still a surplus of the rank in question, no further promotions may be made until the surplus is absorbed by wastage.

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(31) As has already been indicated, in para (5) herein, it is most undesirable that vacancies should be held open pending the return of certain personnel. Once an NCO is evacuated beyond RAP he is off the strength of the unit, goes on to the ‘X’ list, and is immediately replaceable as a NCO by temporary promotion in the unit, and as an individual by a replacement from the Base.

(32) NCOs in Training Depots are liable to be taken as replacements for any unit of the Corps, except in the case of Infantry where they are liable to be taken for replacements in any of the three linked Battalions.

(33) Every effort will be made nevertheless to return an NCO to his former unit, and drafts will be completed as far as possible from ex-members of the unit in question.