Because it is so short of sergeants, the Army will institute a new waiver policy on 1 May. About 5,000 corporals and specialists could be promoted to buck sergeant without attending the Primary Leadership Development Course (the course that teaches basic leadership and management) if they have been unable to do so because of overseas deployments or temporary physical problems. These soldiers will have to complete PLDC within a year or they will be reduced to their original rank.--Stephen V Cole