Can a Specialist be denied promotable status at the board for not having enough correspondence hours?

You were not denied promotable status- you were not recommended for promotion.

Depending on what the members of the Promotion Board is looking for/at...I've seen SOM board members weigh more on appearance than knowledge and vice versa. I have to ask...what did the rest of the packet look like? Was it filled with just the basic requirements? Minimum standards met? Nothing that stands out? Bare minimum Soldier? I ask because if this was the kind of packet I was looking at as a Board Member, then I would not recommend them for promotion.

Yes, i have heard of this. The board looks at potential for advancement and leadership. If you haven't put in the time to complete correspondence courses which help in professional development, what makes you ready to be a leader?

It speaks to personal motivation, drive, discipline, all indicators of Pete tidal leadership.

If a promotion board decides not to recommend you for promotion that is their right as they can recommend you for promotion, the board is a evaluation of potential

Dude if NCO’s will Article 15 decorated combat wounded soldiers for missing a medical appointment by five minutes they’ll deny you the board for not doing correspondence hours. Grab a beer or two and knock it out.

Soldier in question was one of my junior specialists, I can easily see how his packet would not have been competitive compared to another junior enlisted with more hours. Thank you all for the great responses, we will be focusing on some of the great points brought up here for the next board!

The board can decide to not recommend a Soldier for promotion for a variety of reasons. Lack of initiative as demonstrated by the low correspondence course hours could be a reason. If a Soldier only has 7 hours after three years, it's because that's all he's willing to do. You can get 7 hours on a weekend.

I was told that boards are mainly on how your top shirt recommends you lol

Best way to advance whether officer or enlisted? If there is a course they suggest you do for your career do it! Education education education. It always helps and never hurts.