Branch not offering PSG slots... How would you react?

2014-06-16T13:50:42-04:00

Branch is trying to put me on orders. I am asking for PSG time his responce below.
"They are not PSG positions they are Range Cadre positions. You have been
promoted for four years now and have had the opportunity to gain your PSG
time and have failed to do so. We are giving another SFC the chance to gain
his."
Keep in mind I got promoted on recruiting duty and when I let I was sent to staff position in a unit that was deploying. Should I be upset?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 2:08 PM

2014-06-16T14:08:41-04:00

Where are they trying to send you? Where are you requesting to go?

There are plenty of Infantry PSG slots across the Army, and I am sure you will get one if you PCS to an operational unit.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Jun 16 at 2014 3:24 PM

2014-06-16T15:24:43-04:00

I think you should be upset, however as most soldiers in that position, they have lost touch with whats going on at the street level. If he looked at your file carefully he would have noticed the Recruiting duty, and then trying to correct you on a PSG vs RC positions. Is it Tomato or Tomatoe? Who cares? Still the same. You have not failed if you were DA or volunteered for Rctg duty, it should be career enhancing no? Besides if he is enlisted I am sure they have a WO2 or higher that can address your concerns.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jun 16 at 2014 3:37 PM

2014-06-16T15:37:47-04:00

That is a very blunt statement by a PDNCO. I would offer this advice. See what installation he is going to place you on assignment instructions to. Then research the units and start contacting the CSMs out there and sell yourself. Tell them that you want to be a Platoon Sergeant. Stay proactive!!!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 5:44 PM

2014-06-16T17:44:40-04:00

SFC Regis, I can feel your pain. Unfortunately with the closure of ten BCTs, there's more Infantry SFCs then there are PSG slots. Now within a respective BCT across our Army I am more than certain there's a job being filled by a high speed SSG somewhere. The problem is the SFC that he is filling in for is either up at Battalion, Brigade or being used as BMP and still counts against that BCTs numbers. The other problem is the SFC population that are branch qualified but still assigned to BCTs are not being identified and placed into an assignment like your current position or out to a generating force assignment so others can move in. I recommend you see your HHBN CSM and see what they can do to assist you in transfering intrapost to one of the other BCTs to get you a PSG position. In part, being mad really is a question you have to ask yourself. Are you satisfied being a SFC or do you really have that fire in your gut to be a 1SG? Did you use the time you had in your current position to better yourself personally and professionally or did you waste it by just coming to work everyday? These are questions that really only you can answer to yourself. I know that there are hundreds of SFCs in your shoes right now in our branch that are not qualified and branch is having more than a difficult time in moving them into PSG positions.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 16 at 2014 5:44 PM

2014-06-16T17:44:51-04:00

I've said it before, sometimes we don't want to hear what we really need to hear. In this case, it looks to me like that's what you got, something you do not want to hear.

A couple things to consider (I had the advantage of reading a couple replies) but first, I encourage you to "hunt the good stuff", don't take the next assignment as you being punished or prevented from having an opportunity or being a victim of someone else's decision.

- does it really matter that you don't have/won't get PSG time, you indicated that you are reclassifying to become a 79R and it is probably more important to be a good staff NCO in that field.

- did you consider the branch manager was actually looking out for you by getting you to a TRADOC position - taking you out of the fight - this gives you an opportunity to give back to the generating force, especially after returning from deployment (did you deploy as part of the IJC?)

However unpopular this comment may be perceived, if you wanted out of a III Corps FUOPS position to pursue a PSG position, I am confident the G3 and G3 SGM would allow you to pursue a leadership position had you went to them - or deploy in a leadership capacity versus deploying in a staff position.

Again, continue to hunt to good stuff.....if you are not a Sergeant Audie Murphy Club member, I recommend you complete that challenge right there at Fort Hood, TX. You have an awesome opportunity available right now.