What is the Army's open-door policy on retaliation? How do I proceed if someone is trying to block my promotion?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 14:33:03 -0500

I have been having issues with my S6 shop on how work is being divided in our BN. I have been doing all the computer admin work, resolving all the computer issues, and all the missions that come up to our company. Mind you, the shop consists of 3 NCOs and 5 Jr. Enlisted.
I have used my PSG open door policy to discuss this issue, and every time he would make promises or would say your work is going to be recognized in form of awards. Or he also would say, "I see how hard you're working and how motivated you're, keep up this work and I will send you to the promotion board this month." after I showed interest in getting promoted to SGT.
Ever since July 2022, I have been asking what I need to improve on to get sent. He would tell me to do or work on a certain thing for the month. Toward the end of the month, I would follow up with my Squad Leader and my PSG to see how well I am performing and if I need to work on anything else. Their replies would be, "you're doing excellent work, keep what you're doing and we won't have an issue with sending you this coming month."
The same promises and requests kept coming and he would change his requirements for the following month.
In October of 2022, he asked me to attend Soldier of the month to prove to him I am ready. I attended, and out of 12 soldiers, I won the Soldier of the month. Yet, he came up with another requirement before being considered. My 1SG asked to send me, but my PSG pulled him aside.
The first week of December, I used the open-door policy with my BN CSM and told him about my situation. He was on my side, especially since I have nothing negative on my consoling packet, my soldier is well taken care of, I scored well above standard on the ACFT, and shot expert on my qual.
My CSM and 1SG agree to send me to the board, then bring it up to my 1st line NCO, my PSG got furious after my SQL called him to let him know of what happened. My PSG asked to talk to me with my SQL over the phone in his office, where he persistently kept on pressuring me to tell him what was said to the CSM. I referenced AR 600-20, about my rights to keep that information concealed. He got frustrated and started yelling and cursing me out. I ended up telling him why I used it, and he tried to bring me down and verbally disrespect me. He also said that he'll do everything in his power to make sure I don't get prompted.

Is it possible that he can block me from being promoted? How should I proceed?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2022 2:52 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 14:52:55 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I will request that Colonel Cudworth weigh in on post.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2022 3:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 15:36:01 -0500

You should first open the promotion regulation. If you want to get promoted and say you're ready for promotion, you should already know this regulation because all the answers are in it.

There are two zones for the board, Primary and Secondary. You "may" be sent to the board when you're in your secondary zone, with a waiver. Anyone in your chain of command can deny a waiver.

When you are in the Primary zone you "must" appear before the promotion board, as long as you're eligible.

Your promotion is your responsibility. The answer to who can promote you and withold your promotion is in the regulation. If you believe you are ready for promotion then this is the first regulation you should be reading

Response by 1SG Chad Mcdaniel made Dec 11 at 2022 5:16 PM

1SG Chad Mcdaniel — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 17:16:40 -0500

If your 1SG and CSM are saying you are going to the board, then there you have it! Could your PSGT do something to keep you from getting promoted? Legally, NO!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 11 at 2022 7:18 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 19:18:10 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member " "
1: Your PSG having the personal and professional opinion you are not ready and declining to recommend you to the 1SG and CDR for a board appearance in the secondary zone is not retaliation...It's their opinion. And it carries weight...Or did for me as my CSM and I only put NCOs in PSG positions we trusted and were capable.

2: "My CSM and 1SG agree to send me to the board"
Having been a Privet through Sergeant Major over a 27-year career, I can say with 99% certainty, if your Battalion Sergeant Major and your Company 1SG want you to go to the board, you would appear before the promotion board, or at least in the units I served in....a Company CDR would not go against the company senior enlisted advisor's recommendation, nor would a Battalion CDR.
Unit commanders may determine a Soldier has the potential for increased responsibility, the unit commander will recommend the Soldier for promotion and refer him or her to a local
promotion board.....A unit commander will defer in every case I ever had part in, to their company 1SG.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 15 at 2022 1:25 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 13:25:52 -0500

This is blunt, that's me. 1. No promotions are automatic, they all have to approved by the Commander and have to be slots in the manning roster. I f you are not recommended for promotion have you talked with your Chain of Command/Raters? Have they counseled you on your deficiency/s on promotion? Don't go looking for a way around untill you have facts on the why!

Response by CPL Sharon Fahey made Dec 20 at 2022 10:28 AM

CPL Sharon Fahey — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 10:28:59 -0500

It happened to me. They'd throw hints like, "be ready Fahey during formation" or my O2 would say, " I heard they're going to promote you t O'Day, be ready" just a bunch of mind games. Then when I reported back to my unit after deployment an E6 got in my face and said l make sure you never get promoted. I was slotted in an E6 slot as an E4 doing the job of a Brigade Chaplain Assistant, serving the Chaplin Corps and my soldiers with everything in me just to be treated like crap. I dealt with chaplains who didn't want female assistants, I dealt with chaplains that were rude and condescending and one that was verbally and mentally abusive during deployment but I held it all and served my soldiers, they meant more to me than any promotion. Gaining their trust and helping them is why I served.

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Dec 20 at 2022 2:55 PM

SGT Erick Holmes — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 14:55:29 -0500

First make sure you get all your facts straight and clear cut evidance that is going on. If there is even the slightest possibility of you being wrong no matter how minor it is you don't ant to be that Guy or Gal. Make sure that you are reading the regs on promotion and what an E4 is suppose to be studying. Going from E4 to an NCO E5 is a HUGE step and respondsibility. It's not just doing your admin work and writing a few reports. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with it. Don't rush it and stop asking every month or week. Your higher ups will know when you are ready. Keep showing them that you want to learn keep asking questions and start learning what an E5 does (in your MOS) and work on that. If your doing field training take the lead on leading troops in a confined space(s) or how to enter into a building or an active shooter drill. Again I can't stress this enough. Yes we all know that the pay is good or great depending on how you look at it. Yes you get that titled of SGT.... But remember with that comes the responsibility of something happens to troops or equipment or if you made a minor or huge mistake you have to own it. You don't blame the JR enlisted. Talked to the ones that just got promoted and to the Senior enlisted ones on when they got promoted to E5. Hope this helps

Response by PO3 Cheryl Schneider made Dec 20 at 2022 5:14 PM

PO3 Cheryl Schneider — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 17:14:48 -0500

See if the Commander of your post has an Open Door Policy.