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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.