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I have seen good and outstanding soldiers get kicked out of the promotion board. By outstanding I mean:they don't give their leaders the heart and headaches that others give their leaders. They don't have to be told what to do. They take initiative and are very good at their job. I worked in the warehouse so I can use that as an example. They know their sections very well and perform with distinction and have proven to lead other soldiers very well in those sections when the section leaders are not around.
They perform great on PT Test. Their only deficiency is the inability to memorize and recite the NCO creed. Because they cannot do that, they get kicked out of boards and cannot get promoted.
My questions are: Is the NCO Creed a good measuring rod to determine an individual's leadership ability and potential?
Again, what does the ability to memorize and recite the Creed got to do with an individual's ability to lead?
What are your thought?
They perform great on PT Test. Their only deficiency is the inability to memorize and recite the NCO creed. Because they cannot do that, they get kicked out of boards and cannot get promoted.
My questions are: Is the NCO Creed a good measuring rod to determine an individual's leadership ability and potential?
Again, what does the ability to memorize and recite the Creed got to do with an individual's ability to lead?
What are your thought?
Posted in these groups: 
NCO Creed
Promotions
NCO Creed Promotions
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 3
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If it really and truly is a problem with absorbing the exact verbiage, I would suggest they look into classes that help with mental flexibility and memorization.
Another avenue by which to approach this is a clear, concise explanation of what the Creed means and how it is applied. I always tell my junior enlisted soldiers that the NCO Creed is the only ruler needed by which to measure an NCO. My intent is to get them thinking about how a three paragraph creed is put into action.
As for the board itself, not being able to recite the creed puts the soldier in a bad spot early on. As you've seen, it can be grounds for dismissal. Unfortunately, that decision is left entirely up to the president of the board. Have you tried speaking to the CSM about the Soldier? Presenting measurable gains and accomplishments on the part of the Soldier? Perhaps starting with your platoon sergeant and 1SG in order to get them on board.
If the Soldier is having problems with reciting the Creed, how do they perform when answering other questions? I know some questions can be answered in a "put it in your own words" format, but the rest are pretty straight forward answers. Especially when it comes to weapons and specifics out of the FMs/ADPs.
Another avenue by which to approach this is a clear, concise explanation of what the Creed means and how it is applied. I always tell my junior enlisted soldiers that the NCO Creed is the only ruler needed by which to measure an NCO. My intent is to get them thinking about how a three paragraph creed is put into action.
As for the board itself, not being able to recite the creed puts the soldier in a bad spot early on. As you've seen, it can be grounds for dismissal. Unfortunately, that decision is left entirely up to the president of the board. Have you tried speaking to the CSM about the Soldier? Presenting measurable gains and accomplishments on the part of the Soldier? Perhaps starting with your platoon sergeant and 1SG in order to get them on board.
If the Soldier is having problems with reciting the Creed, how do they perform when answering other questions? I know some questions can be answered in a "put it in your own words" format, but the rest are pretty straight forward answers. Especially when it comes to weapons and specifics out of the FMs/ADPs.
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SGT (Join to see)
The whole board process really has nothing to do with yours or anyone ability to lead. It's more of a rite of passage and it includes reciting the NCO Creed. I have a terrible memory especially now with old age, but if you tell me right now that in order to get promoted I need to learn the creed, you can be sure that I will do it regardless of how much it would suck to do so.
The whole board process really has nothing to do with yours or anyone ability to lead. It's more of a rite of passage and it includes reciting the NCO Creed. I have a terrible memory especially now with old age, but if you tell me right now that in order to get promoted I need to learn the creed, you can be sure that I will do it regardless of how much it would suck to do so.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thanks SFC Dominguez. So if I understood your point, the issue is about how bad the individual wants to get promoted and the willingness to go through the process. That's an interesting one. Thanks Big Serge.
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No, it is not, but my reasons are likely unique to my experiences. I am definitely the type of Soldier that would have the NCO creed down before a board appearance; however, my current situation gives me the opinion that everyone has difficulties and it isn't necessarily our right to know what those are. I, for example, am suffering from a chronic multi-symptom illness from my deployment to Iraq. In the last few months, I have noticed a cognitive decline that has mostly affected my short-term memory. If I did not already know the creed, I believe it would be difficult for me to learn at this point.
I do think that taking the time to memorize it and recite it correctly shows ambition to succeed on the promotion board and determination. I would not kick a soldier out of a board for not being able to recite it completely. If you cannot recite a single paragraph of the creed; however, I would be inclined to think that you don't have the disciple to sit down and study it before your board appearance. I would still judge your board appearance as a whole. My previous unit would give soldiers additional opportunities to prove themselves throughout the board performance if they started off poorly.
I do think that taking the time to memorize it and recite it correctly shows ambition to succeed on the promotion board and determination. I would not kick a soldier out of a board for not being able to recite it completely. If you cannot recite a single paragraph of the creed; however, I would be inclined to think that you don't have the disciple to sit down and study it before your board appearance. I would still judge your board appearance as a whole. My previous unit would give soldiers additional opportunities to prove themselves throughout the board performance if they started off poorly.
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