New in 2021: Army personnel and promotion changes December 28, 2020 Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston visits the 82nd Airborne Division during training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in June. (Staff Sgt. Kyle Castrovinci/Army) There were some key changes to the Army’s personnel policies as the new fiscal year started this fall. One policy of interest to troops: soldiers deployed to combat zones or who are pregnant will be able to temporarily promote to the ranks of sergeant through sergeant major before completing the mandatory professional military education courses under a policy that starts Jan. 1. Also on the horizon, a phone application for squad leaders to help with administrative tasks and a prototype for what is expected to become a Sergeants Major Assessment Program, said Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston during an Oct. 1 interview.