Posted on Oct 13, 2015
Why have we failed to mentor those that would be senior leaders?
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Why is it that we talk about mentoring soldiers, but when we get aperfect opportunity to do so we fail? Whenever a soldier's record goes in front of a board we fail to give that soldier direct feedback on their records. I know that each board looks at different items, but if a soldier doesn't know that the last board said his Assignment history was in error, then how is the soldier to correct it or to write a letter to the board explaining the discrepancy i.e. break in service, or prior service. Soldiers would love to have direct feedback on their career advancement and yet we are failing them.
Promotion Board
ERB
Mentorship
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I agree senior leaders should be taking the time to review their Soldiers’ board files. It is an onus on both the subordinate and the leader. I would expect any Soldier wishing to be a senior would take the time to approach leadership and request a review well in advance of a board. If you meet with unsatisfactory support find a leader that will assist.
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SSG (Join to see)
A agree with this wholeheartedly. If you aren't able to find anyone to review your file beforehand in your unit, there are a couple of high-speed CSMs here on RallyPoint who can (and will) willingly help you out.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
I don't believe the OP means feedback from senior leaders, but feedback specifically from the board members themselves.
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SSG (Join to see)
I do mean specifically from the board. Each board tends to focus on different aspects every time and no one has any idea what they are looking for. The last board I saw some really good NCOs get overlooked, but an NCO who got removed from the Platoon Sergeant Program and get a 3-3 NCOER get selected. It puzzles me every time and being in S-1 I get NCOs who get overlooked coming back trying to change their ERBs to match what they think what the board wants to see thinking maybe that was the reason.
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The other big shift I noticed is that more and more NCOs and Officer are have the NCOs they rate write their own NCOERs. While they try to claim that it is teaching point, I believe it is because they have gotten lazy. My last boss a 1SG who was selected for SGM not only had a Coworker write his own PCS (COR) NCOER but also his own PCS award. Then when I moved to another section told me to put my info where his was and just submit it. The NCO "Leader" before that copy and pasted his bullets and duty description as mine but forgot to take his name out of parts. My first team leader back in the 90s new everything about me and my family. When I returned back to the duty station we both served at 10 years later and him retired he still contacted me and asked how my family was and still knew all about my family and their bdays, anniversary etc. The 1SG I worked almost a year for couldn't tell you my wife's name. What happened to the leadersbook or caring about your soldiers?
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SGM Mike Barbieri
I can't stand it when a Soldier is told to write their own anything. That is the ultimate push off from a leader to me. You are correct in that it demonstrates a lack of caring and to me it is also gross negligence on the leaders part. The Soldier should provide input, but that comes as part of good open communication during counseling.
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SSG (Join to see) What an interesting idea. Why aren't you an 0-7? Feedback is so crucial, we all need more, even my lady friend could provide more feedback to me!
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SSG (Join to see)
CSM Charles Hayden just like you I love teaching and mentoring soldiers. I guess the Army think that my style of leadership, where my soldier comes before me, is outdated.
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