Posted on Jul 6, 2022
What advice can I give a friend who admits that he purposely fails his promotion?
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One of my good friends is up for promotion and I have noticed that he is always failing but just recently we sat down to catch up and I think he slipped by telling me that he I guess just purposely fails his promotion but I guess command hasn’t caught on, my question is what advice could I give him
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
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Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis
There might actually be a good answer to this. For example, if this individual is "happy" at the rank he's at and does not see a real up-side to the rank to which he could be promoted, then that might be the basis for his decision. I will give you an example; among my Lt Col friends, many do not see promotion to [full] Colonel to be worth the effort. A key thing that they do is simply not complete Air War College, which is as good as raising your hand and saying, "Please don't promote me."
If that's the case, my recommendation is to support your friend's decision.
If that's not the case, then you may need to ask more questions.
If that's the case, my recommendation is to support your friend's decision.
If that's not the case, then you may need to ask more questions.
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What does he want out of the military? Was it to only service his country and get out?
Some people don't want responsibility and want to do the job and be left alone. Yes, the military isn't that type of job; however, the services may be better off not promotion people until they are ready. How many young, immature idiots have you worked for? Age, maturity, and self-image plays a role in wanting to move up the ladder.
Some people don't want responsibility and want to do the job and be left alone. Yes, the military isn't that type of job; however, the services may be better off not promotion people until they are ready. How many young, immature idiots have you worked for? Age, maturity, and self-image plays a role in wanting to move up the ladder.
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Look at it this way PVT. How many years do you plan to stay in the Army?
20 years, so I get out with a pension Sir.
And what will you do in civvie street?
Veterans are always in demand Sir.
So, let's say you actually, stumble up to the exalted level of SPC, what then?
I can say I was an NCO Sir.
So, you have 20, and MSgt, has 12, you're both applying for the same job, what happens?
Were both NCOs, but I've got 20, and he's only got 12. So, I get the job, Sir.
No soldier, he gets the job, his demeanor, and his presence displays his superiority, and if you don't switch on and tune in, you won't be allowed to make 20, you'll be out on your ear, looking for a paper round. So, either get in the game or get out now. No deployed soldier wants you watching his back in the field. Your discharge papers are in this envelope. You have a week to decide. Do your job or sign.
20 years, so I get out with a pension Sir.
And what will you do in civvie street?
Veterans are always in demand Sir.
So, let's say you actually, stumble up to the exalted level of SPC, what then?
I can say I was an NCO Sir.
So, you have 20, and MSgt, has 12, you're both applying for the same job, what happens?
Were both NCOs, but I've got 20, and he's only got 12. So, I get the job, Sir.
No soldier, he gets the job, his demeanor, and his presence displays his superiority, and if you don't switch on and tune in, you won't be allowed to make 20, you'll be out on your ear, looking for a paper round. So, either get in the game or get out now. No deployed soldier wants you watching his back in the field. Your discharge papers are in this envelope. You have a week to decide. Do your job or sign.
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Use to call it Retired On Active Duty some people reach a rank that gives the freedom but minimal responsibility and just want to hang out until they have their time in
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So far everyone has taken the tack that he is unhappy with what he is doing, and he is just killing time. Perhaps he is delighted with what he is doing and don't want to give it up. What is his MOS, if it isn't kitchen grease sump cleaner he may be afraid that if he is promoted he will end up in a job that he doesn't like
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SGT (Join to see)
His mos is 92y and he is just not wanting to change his job actually he loves it so much that his first shirt doesn’t understand why he won’t promote
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SGT Richard Hanson SSP/CGS
I thought so. I am not sure what a 92Y is it has been half a century + since I was in the Army.
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If your friend doesn’t want to promote that’s their choice. You can ask why and try to help but ultimately it’s their choice. They aren’t the first to do something foolish like this. I’m sure the command has noticed the trend. It’s not hard to miss when somebody purposefully shoots themselves in the foot
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They either level up , or they will be early out.
Then the Civilian Job openings will ALSO dry up. As the person has demonstrated either lack of ability ,or just lazy.
Then the Civilian Job openings will ALSO dry up. As the person has demonstrated either lack of ability ,or just lazy.
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Either come to the Realization that if they always fail , the Service will Involuntary Separate them as the Service would consider the fails as proven evidence of inability to Continue/ dead wood. Then Discharge them. No organization likes to have people incapable of advancement / learn new skills needed for the organization. The Service is no different.
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I Had Seen Many SMs Who Were Great At Their Jobs, And Great Soldiers,But Had No Skills As A Leader , Some Would Have Loved To Continue Serving But Were RCP Out,
If They Would Bring Back The SPC- 5 And Above Rank’s Then They Could Keep Great Soldiers Doing Their Jobs
If They Would Bring Back The SPC- 5 And Above Rank’s Then They Could Keep Great Soldiers Doing Their Jobs
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SFC (Join to see)
I did too, it is called being a Civilian, everyone is capable of being an NCO to some degree
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SFC (Join to see) sure, to some degree. But is that the standard we should be promulgating? Remember that all Soldiers are entitled to OUTSTANDING leadership.
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SPC James Neidig
SFC (Join to see) They Can Make My Dog an NCO, That Does Not Mean He Can Do The Job.
However He is an Great Watch Dog and A Better Friend.
The Same Goes For Soldiers! They Can Be Great at Their Jobs But Lack The People Skills To Lead..
And Before You Ask Why I am Listed as A SPC , I Was A CPL in the Marines Then Went PA. Guard, Made SGT. Which I Held For 2 1/2 years Then Went Active Army, And Had To Drop Back 1 Rank, Less Then A Year In I Got A L,O,D, Injury And Was Medically Discharged.
I Am A 100% P and T Rated
However He is an Great Watch Dog and A Better Friend.
The Same Goes For Soldiers! They Can Be Great at Their Jobs But Lack The People Skills To Lead..
And Before You Ask Why I am Listed as A SPC , I Was A CPL in the Marines Then Went PA. Guard, Made SGT. Which I Held For 2 1/2 years Then Went Active Army, And Had To Drop Back 1 Rank, Less Then A Year In I Got A L,O,D, Injury And Was Medically Discharged.
I Am A 100% P and T Rated
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SPC James Neidig
SFC Casey O'Mally You Are So Correct, I Saw Too Many Good Soldiers Get Promoted To NCO and Couldn’t Do The Job, Then Commanders Had To Find Someplace Too Put Them So They Couldn’t “F” Things Up,
As An 88M They Would Send Them To OPs Or Protocol Or Garrison Driving Buses
As An 88M They Would Send Them To OPs Or Protocol Or Garrison Driving Buses
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Eventually he will get barred or RCP out. Leadership isn't for everyone, the Army isn't for everyone.
Tell him to take advantage of what he's got and knock out all the civilian Ed or certs he can while he can.
Tell him to take advantage of what he's got and knock out all the civilian Ed or certs he can while he can.
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