Any tips on development as a 42A?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 07:00:47 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2017 9:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 09:27:33 -0400

Be pro-active with learning your job. Take the initiative and get with your NCOs or counterparts on the procedures of each areas of our jobs. Repetition is key, the more you do it the better you become. Create you a smart book so you can always have it on hand. Last but not least, don't be afraid to ask questions and every chance you get compete for the Soldier of the Month/ Soldier of the Quarter. Our job is not only what we can do as Human Resource Specialist but also how well rounded we are as Soldiers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2017 9:52 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 09:52:07 -0400

Do something else.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2017 3:53 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 15:53:26 -0400

If you intend to stick with 42A, you should be learning the applicable regulations, local SOPs, and most of all, get registered on MilSuite.Mil. Stay on top of Army HR updates, policies, etc. Always seek to expand your knowledge of your job, and then learn someone else's job. A good NCOIC/OIC will switch up jobs in your office so that everyone can do any job required. So get ahead of the curve and start branching out. For example, if you do awards, start learning about actions, NCOERs, OERs, etc. Ask your NCOs or NCOIC what you could or should be doing to make yourself more useful/valuable in the office and the unit. Make sure you have a good tracking system for everything you do or papers that you process. Don't advance the stereotype that S-1 loses everything.

Help out Soldiers as much as you can. If you can do that ERB update rather than tell the Soldier to come back another time, do it. Being in a Battalion S-1 gives you the broadest exposure to a lot of people who may be good to know later on. Going that extra mile and going out of your way when you don't really have to makes an impression on people used to being or expecting to be blown off. Cultivate contacts and professional relationships; you never know when you may need to call on someone who is in the mindset to assist you.

If you intend to make HR a career outside the Army, look into the PHR (Professional Human Resources) certification; it is highly sought-after in the civilian world. Ask your OIC about this; he or she should know about it and be able to point you in the right direction. Some posts and affiliated schools have competitive programs that allow you to take the PHR courses and the exam for little or no cost.

On the flip side, 42A always has high cutoff scores. I've seen a lot of people end their careers as Specialists because they couldn't make points. One of my former Soldiers just completed the 35L (Counter-Intelligence Agent) training after reclassing from 42A. Always be looking out for your career and know when it's time to do something else.

Good Luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2017 5:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 17:37:40 -0400

Learn everything that is required for a 42A and request for broadening assignments

Response by SFC Jose Trabal-Vega made Aug 13 at 2017 1:17 PM

SFC Jose Trabal-Vega — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 13:17:09 -0400

Take advantage of tuition assistance and finish college while you still in. Learn your regs and sops. Follow sops n procedures. Don't put your career in jeopardy for anyone. Follow the army values.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2017 7:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 19:15:33 -0400

First, I would pull the 42A Career Development chart from ACT (via AKO) and use that as a guideline as to what jobs you need to go after

Response by SFC Benjamin Gentry made Aug 16 at 2017 9:19 AM

SFC Benjamin Gentry — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:19:50 -0400

As a retired 42A Senior NCO I would look into taking courses on finance, enhancing PC skills, and medical administration classes. I wish you well

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2017 2:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 02:33:48 -0500

read all regs that pertain to your MOS ie 600-8-19, 600-8-22, etc

Response by SFC Manena Gwinnup made Jan 8 at 2018 1:35 PM

SFC Manena Gwinnup — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:35:55 -0500

I am 42A NCOIC retired for 24 year here at Joint Base Lewis Mchord. (JBLM). My advise is take advance Army training classes school what is available for you.