As a SPC, what's the best way to separate myself from my peers?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 14:53:08 -0400

Not to be conceited but I'm a hard worker, do my job well and and decently knowledgeable in my job. I guess the real question is how do I get my NCOs to see me as more of a leader without being the dickhead E-4 who thinks he's an NCO?

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 7 at 2018 3:29 PM

SFC Stephen King — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 15:29:04 -0400

Tactfully

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 3:29 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 15:29:57 -0400

Don't segregate yourself, if not influence the people within your sphere to be better.

Try to teach younger Joes, share your experience/knowledge and be an extension of your NCO support channel.

Lastly, ask your NCO what do you need from me as a soldier and a future leader to improve our teams/section/squad effectiveness.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 4:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 16:37:40 -0400

You need to know your Job better than anyone else you stand next to. Don't be cocky but if you do your job better than your first line it shows your definitely ready for the next level. Stay out of trouble. If a task needs to get done be the to offer a plan of execution. DO NOT COMPLAIN TO YOUR PEERS AND OTHER JUNIOR SOLDIERS. Follow your ARMY CARREER TRACKER it provides detailed career progression in multiple aspects. Question everything becuase sometimes there is a better way. And lastly support your Current organization and assist to make it a better environment.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 6:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 18:30:06 -0400

See if there is any additional duties that you can take the lead on for your PLT. Ask for classes such as Field Sanitation or Small Arms maintenance. You can even make a tracker for your Platoons Vehicle maintenance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 9:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 21:07:14 -0400

Your work and action will stand out. No matter what , hard work will never goes unnoticed.

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Jul 7 at 2018 9:12 PM

CW2 Louis Melendez — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 21:12:41 -0400

I would suggest you to always be proactive, humble, team player, and professional. You won't really have to do a whole lot before people start noticing your leadership qualities. Be yourself! Start developing more your interpersonal skills and MOS Skills before you become a SGT. A very good question!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2018 9:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 21:29:40 -0400

Start going to SOM boards. A lot of people hate them, but start going to them and winning, you'll soon separate from the pack. Dig into all the applicable TMs and ARs for your MOS and weapons systems. Book knowledge can translate into practical knowledge during STT and FTXs.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 7 at 2018 10:00 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 22:00:58 -0400

1. Be more knowledgeable than decently- become an expert. 2. Lead when ever possible. 3.Get involved with your team/squad. 4. Help those having problems with a mission/assignment, etc.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 12:41 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 00:41:41 -0400

Go to Ranger Scool

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 8 at 2018 5:14 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 05:14:14 -0400

It sounds like you are doing what you need to do. Step up when the opportunity presents itself, study your craft, pay particular attention to your equipment-weapons and vehicles. Know the TM’s inside and out. It is in the maintenance of your equipment where you can be most relevant at your grade. NCOs are always getting pulled to meetings and planning sessions. Become the one they can turn to who wants to lead and is technically proficient. I assure you there is something to learn. Do not get Cocky, nor overconfident. Thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jul 8 at 2018 7:32 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 07:32:05 -0400

All of the above are great pieces of advice! As mentioned by a few comments: Soldier of the Month Board (SoM). I’ll tell you a short story.... many years ago PFC / SPC Rivera was in the same shoes you are right now. Very good at my trade, excellent physical shape, and selected for those annoying tasks everyone haited. Then one morning my squad leader told me that I was going for the company SoM board. Not happy to say the least. I went but didn’t win. Next month was on me, very personal this time. Smoked it! Then BN didn’t win. No problem since there were more chances. Won a few times later. Remember the tasks everyone hated? Those were CSM’s task. No police call or anything like that but BN’s or BDE’s events requiring a profession appearance (starched BDUs uniform, highly spit shined jumped boots, etc...). 6 months after been promoted to SPC guess who was standing at attention in front of the BN’s CSM for the SGT/E5 promotion board? Even better, since the CSM presided most of the SoM boards I attended and knew me for all of this annoying tasks that I participated with my best game face he made it quick. After introduced my self to the board members he immediately said something like “I believe SPC Rivera has 190 points, what do you think 1SGs?” Will you experience the same? I cannot say that. But what I can say is that been a professional Soldiers at all times, master of your trade at your level and eager to learn the next level up. Seeking responsibilities and assuming responsibilities for your actions. And be humble at it will take you to far places.

Response by SSG Erik McKinster made Jul 8 at 2018 11:54 AM

SSG Erik McKinster — Sun, 08 Jul 2018 11:54:01 -0400

The simple answer, soon, is to lead. What I mean by that is when the opportunity presents itself, take charge. An NCO, a good NCO seeks and accepts responsibility.

As NCOs welook at our Specialists and we see who's taking charge. These are the ones we're sending to the board. These are the ones, when you have a squared away CSM, are getting pinned CPL.

Response by SSG James Meadors made Jul 13 at 2018 2:07 PM

SSG James Meadors — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 14:07:51 -0400

As a SPC my advice would be to find yourself a good NCO who can mentor you and prepare you for the promotion board. Try to distant yourself from lower enlisted as they are more inclined to do the wrong things or party. Once you become an NCO the lower enlisted will respect you more as opposed to if you are their party buddy.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Jul 13 at 2018 3:18 PM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 15:18:28 -0400

I know you still want to be part of the crowd, "E-4 Mafia" to certain extend. But there comes a time when you have to be yourself, grow up, and start figuring out where you want to go. You're the only person in charge of your own goals and obtain them, not your buddies. The important thing is that you need to master your job, take responsibilities when the opportunity comes. NCOs are always watching, they know. The way you conduct yourself speaks a lot about you too, be professional on all aspects of been a Soldier and a Leader.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2018 4:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 16:54:31 -0400

Take charge of details and duties.
Study Army material (TMs, FMs, ADPs/ADRPs if you're feeling adventurous, etc...)
Train other, lower ranking soldiers on weak areas (PT, "Battle Drills," Level 1 Soldier Tasks)
Show desire to go to boards like Soldier of the Month
Just a few things that tend to make yourself stand out from your peers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 12:47 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:47:48 -0400

Study like crazy, and then Ask to go to the board. If they say your not ready for promotion board, then ask for soldier of the month board. If they say your not ready for that ask when the next mock board is. Do not take no for an answer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2018 5:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 17:19:10 -0400

SPC just knowing your job is very minimal to be consider set apart from your peers. You have to perform above your peers as far as the Total Soldier Concept. Meaning, PT, Weapons, Soldier Task and Drills, Personal Development (College), Professional Development (resident courses, distant learning) etc. Did you volunteer for the SoM Board, did you do well or win. Being good at your MOS is good, but that is only part of what is required of us as Soldiers and Leaders. It's like that all the way through the ranks, there is always more you can do to set yourself apart. The question is, do you have the dedication, patience and time to do it?

Response by SSG James Bloodworth made Jul 22 at 2018 1:07 PM

SSG James Bloodworth — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 13:07:41 -0400

Do your job every day as a professional soldier to the best of your abilities. Always do whats right in every situation. Always be honest, with your peers, your leaders, your family, and most importantly to yourself. And Always hold yourself to a higher standard. And remember, they are your peers, not your soldiers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2018 9:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 09:13:22 -0400

By asking the question, you've already set yourself apart from your peers. What will encourage your NCOs more will be your ability to work within the Team. If you haven't already, seek the difficult tasks, but make it a point to give credit to the team that you are working with.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2018 11:55 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 23:55:51 -0400

I think it's better to share your knowledge with your peers. Trust me, your Plt leadership picks up on who knows their stuff. You could, however, start coming up with plt PT plans, start taking lower enlisted under your wing and getting them trained on their positions on a team or on the track. You can never go wrong when organizing training.

Response by SFC Kurt Brunken made Jun 3 at 2020 9:09 AM

SFC Kurt Brunken — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:09:44 -0400

Show up early, work hard, run fast. The Army respects fast runners and 300 PT scorers. Compete for Audie Murphy or similar organizations.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Apr 6 at 2021 10:42 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 22:42:14 -0400

Never complain. Never sham. Be the first choice for any task that's important.