Can someone still get promoted to E-7 with derogatory information in their file like a DUI?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 13:19:03 -0500

got one as an E5 over 7 years ago. Received a gomor. His first look is in February for E7. lower density non combat MOS. Completed an AA degree, air assault, airborne and has deployed since then. Decent NCOERs. Mostly HQ. Still a shot at promotion? Likelihood of NFQ? Anyone "know a guy" that had derog and made it recently?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2022 1:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 13:34:49 -0500

A SSG with a DUI over 7 years ago as a SGT? I wouldn't say they are in the Top Block to be selected, but the chances are still good. Not the best, but not the worst.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 22 at 2022 2:45 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 14:45:20 -0500

CAN? Yes. LIKELY? Crap shoot, but to coin the magic 8 ball, 'outlook not so good'.

If it happened while you were a SSG, then your chances would be hovering just above zero. However, what you have in your file is now a "negative discriminator". All you can do is make sure you do everything you can to put "positive discriminators" in your column and wait and see. That is, unless this is on another line of questioning such as, "I have a great opportunity if I get out now, but I want to know what my chances are of making E7 if I stay".

According to the last stats on "considered" and evaluated as "Most/fully qualified" by the board for promotion, they eliminated roughly 1 in 20 individuals from the list. In past days, they would give a roll-up of why people weren't selected (in an aggregate, not specifics for an individual), but they don't do that anymore - however, you can reasonably conclude that they were found wanting by the board because they didn't have enough positives in their column to overcome any negatives.

According to the last E7 evaluation board*, fully 1/3 of the eligible population didn't even view their My Board File - the board sees this and it's a "negative indicator" that you really aren't giving your full attention to your career. Anyone that did not have an accurate file or were missing documents/information were viewed "less favorably" by the board.

During the board, there were numerous candidates with SRB/ERBs that lacked accurate data and pertinent information (missing assignment history, mismatch duty descriptions with NCOERs, missing PME, etc) - these individuals were viewed "less favorably" by the board.

I would advise you to look through the board results and address anything and everything you can (at this point, you'll be hard-pressed to go back in time to address evaluations and assignments though).

I part with the words of old crusty CSM when I was a shave tail... "Sir, always remember - 100 'attaboys' are wiped out with one 'Aw shit!'"
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* The AAR from the FY22 SFC Board - https://www.hrc.army.mil/asset/25634

HRC Homepage

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2022 4:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:10:24 -0500

Your "friend who's definitely not you" can request to have their GOMOR moved to their restricted file and the board members won't see it. Of course, they probably have a negative NCOER and they should probably ask to have that NCOER moved as well. Anything that ends in a -R in the board file will be viewed as a negative document.

Your friend will have to submit a request to the DASEB to move the unfavorable information to their restricted file which the board won't see. It has to be mailed, not emailed. A letter of recommendation from commanders would help.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 22 at 2022 4:18 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:18:20 -0500

It's possible but it will be an uphill fight. Especially considering we are more of a peace time speed at the moment. I saw folks get alot of second chances 2004-2010 but as wartime started to dry up so did the second chances because manpower started to reduce.