Any Army Reserve E-6's having issues with making E-7?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:33:14 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 11:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:41:48 -0500

Can you be more specific? I have a couple of E6s in my unit who are promotable but having issues with getting their actual promotion orders issued. Even though AKO, ATRRS, and everywhere else has already started listing them as SFCs.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 26 at 2016 11:42 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:42:54 -0500

I have heard that a person has to either die or retire to get those Senior NCO slots in the reserve. I would suggest maybe moving to another location where a slot is available if possible.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 11:43 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:43:10 -0500

Are there slots available in your unit?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 11:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:50:19 -0500

I only recently got my 6 (not even a year ago). My issue is getting the system to put me in fit SSD2 so I can attend ALC. My 5 E5's below me were all accepted within the system and gave taken it.

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Jan 26 at 2016 11:59 AM

SSG Michael Scott — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:59:02 -0500

Yep, you are so right. Not enough of slots for E-7. Then there is this thing called, we have to make the quota. Meaning so many males, females, and different races, creeds, and so on. My 201 file would go up to the board and was denied 5 times, because of not having enough of slots. Then, you have to be counseled and sign a declination form saying YOU were not premotible. I would say BS to that every time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 12:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:12:32 -0500

I'm a SSG and have been boarded. My problem is my Seat at senior leaders course has been canceled three times and now I'm told I can't go until January 2017. I guess if there's any good news I do hold the E-7 slot. Any suggestions on how to get to school earlier

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 12:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:21:11 -0500

I feel your pain. I was promotable for a long time because I chose not to increase my mileage on my board checklist. For senior ranks you have to be willing to travel to accept the promotions. I ended up driving from Fort Riley Kansas to Fort Carson Colorado on a monthly basis. Over 6 hours one way just for the chance at promotion. As far as NCOES is concerned, if your unit is saying you cant attend until 2017 that is unacceptable. I would ask for proper justification in why they are holding you back from completing NCOES. If they give you any more BS about it I would seriously consider looking to transfer units. Loyalty has to go both ways. You give your all to your Command but in return if they are not taking care of you its time to go.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 12:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:43:29 -0500

I know this can be a big pain in the ass in the Reserves. I didn't think it would be this bad though. It's like I'm frozen in time.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Jan 26 at 2016 12:48 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:48:21 -0500

If miles qualified talk to your FLL and then to chain of command. Hooah!!

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Jan 26 at 2016 12:55 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:55:23 -0500

They need to change that rule. Because you have to wait for the seniors NCO to retire out or die like SSG Audwin Scott said. They need to make the older one force out if they won't leave. It's a shame to have and E7 in the reserve or guard for over thirty years and has had the same rank over ten.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 1:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:19:08 -0500

It's hard as a 74D to reach E7 unless instructor position

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 1:28 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:28:37 -0500

I'd point out two things:
1. Get you official photo right. You'd be amazed how many ate-up photos there are for packets. Youd think that would be the time for attention to detail... and board members see it that way too.
2. Since converting to digital board packets from paper ones, a very high percentage are thrown out for being incomplete. Units are often subpar with PERM-ing records, so you have to look out for yourself and be proactive. Those missing awards, NCOERs, and more importantly, 1059s and civilian transcript are a big difference-maker.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 1:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:31:12 -0500

I honestly thought the process was very simple. TIS/TIG, NCOES, APFT, DA Photo, iPerms up to date (awards, orders, DD-214s, 1059s, NCOERs), and appropriate clearance level... Maybe I was lucky because there were plenty of slots for me to be promoted into, and very close to my home of record. You should contact your S-1/G-1 (possibly even your RSC G-1) to find out what the hold-up is in your case.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 2:12 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 14:12:36 -0500

Made it after 3.5 years as E6. What issues are you having?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 4:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:01:09 -0500

It took over 8 years for me to get my E7 in the reserves. The problem results from a few things:
1. Lack of E7 slots. The lack of slots at the top result in few opportunities.
2. Failure to complete NCOES and SSD.
3. Incomplete packets.
4. DA Photos that are not right.
5. A mileage waiver with a large enough radius to allow for multiple opertunities.
6. The solider having a flag for any reason.

I'm sure there are multiple other reasons but this should help point you in the right direction.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 4:48 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:48:19 -0500

Another issue in the Reserves is that some units may have their E7 slots coded for AGRs, rather than TPUs.

Response by SFC Clark Adams made Jan 26 at 2016 8:05 PM

SFC Clark Adams — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:05:24 -0500

20 years ago while in the IRR , I received a letter telling me that I'd been selected for SFC. I'd left AD 4 years earlier with all of the right buttons pushed, keep up my points along with documented my graduation from Physician Assistant School. I was told that to make SFC/E-7 in the IRR , one needed to meet the requirements and the stripes were yours. Later I was told MGS/E-8 was mine if I accepted an IMA slot at the West Point MEDDAC, but I wasn't buying that and retired. So I say go IRR and hunt down an IMA Slot keep fit, wear your uniform correctly, attend the schools required and then some.......you'll do fine.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 4:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 16:55:50 -0500

As of right now, there are only several hundred open E-7 slots across the Reserves (per the 79th SSC CSM). He didn't give us a breakdown by CMF, but you could be in a CMF that has very few slots open. I'm a 25B, and there are only 2 open E-7 slots within a 225ish mile radius of where I live (Ft. Sill, OK) area.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 6:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:51:17 -0500

Yeah, would've liked to have better luck using the Control F function to pass ALC. Need to go back and roll the dice again with a computer to get my E-7. Don't believe that using a computer is all that it's made up to be. Hand's on training is much better and retainable for future E-7's.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2016 8:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 08:32:17 -0400

I've been having issues. Apparently you have to have a mileage memo that states your willing to drill in a 300 mile radius. This is literally the reason I didn't get promoted. You also get promoted out of your current unit.