Can I be denied receiving a 'Go' for a promotion board if I accidentally use gender pronouns? Should I get the IG involved?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 May 2023 10:12:58 -0400

I recently just attended the E-5 promotion board and absolutely nailed it. Uniform, confidence, presence was on point. Answered questions correctly and to the best of my ability. Walked out of the board feeling like a million bucks. I am waiting for my sponsor to come out, and he says I received a 'No-Go' because on the first question I was asked I referred to a soldier as "he should" instead of "the soldier should." This apparently was the decision that prevented me from being promotable according to my sponsor, despite answering the other 9 questions I was asked to a T.

Is there anything on Army regulation about this? Should I get the IG involved? What if this belief is against my religion and I don't agree with it? I know the SGM has a transgender kid. I do not want to cave to using these terms if it does not align with my beliefs. I know the worlds' headed in this direction but this seems absolutely insane to me that despite acing a board, I can be prevented from promoting due to using gender pronouns. What

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made May 11 at 2023 10:32 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Thu, 11 May 2023 10:32:21 -0400

This question is very much in the Present. I definitely would like to hear more details as I am unaware of use of pronoun regulations. The only slight inference in your narrative is that the SGM has a transgender kid and thus I infer there maybe local preferences -- this could be a situational awareness thing, but to give a no-go is not a sword I'd fall on. Keep RP posted with updates

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2023 11:56 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 May 2023 11:56:38 -0400

Short answer, no. IG has no reason to be involved from what you're saying. But, yes, you can be denied for your use of gendered language.

There may have been more to the decision of the board than you or your NCO were privy to. I would continue to push up your chain a request for clarification of why you were denied. You could also ask to speak with your 1SG about this, but get your advice from your first-line and PSG first. Either way, I would recommend a 1-on-1 with your 1SG. Think about this like an E5, not an E4. If you do that, then you should understand why this should result with some mentorship and clarification from your 1SG.

After going through your NCOs, then you can go two additional routes. The Chaplain, and your EOL (Equal Opportunity Leader), otherwise known as your EO rep. The Chaplain will help you understand your religious rights and how they merge with Army regulations and federal law. Then they can support or protect you if there has been any funny business or simple misunderstandings. The EO rep will instruct you on what the regulation says regarding all this new gender stuff and how it's supposed to apply. They can assist you with understanding the protected categories and in challenging this decision if you feel there is discrimination. I was an EO rep at every level, brigade on down. If your rep has any backbone, they can fight for you behind closed doors and ensure everyone is adhering to this new stuff, by the book. Times are hard in the EO world, or let's just stay they are challenging, at best. This stuff is very confusing and counter-intuitive and by default it inches into our religious beliefs.

If you go either of those routes, tell your NCO. There's nothing to hide here.

If it were me, I would be loudly, but tactfully, challenging this decision. However, I am no longer on the enlisted side of the house, so take my advice with a grain of salt. None the less, it is my strong opinion that you should challenge this. Professionalism and EO regulations are to be taken seriously and both are an important gauge of your character at your level. Yet, in my view they are often given too much weight and are easily skewed with bias and political baggage, sometimes with the best of intentions, sometimes not. If you want to be a leader you need to learn how to engage in mature conversation. Not just for your yourself as you seek promotion, but for the Soldiers you will someday serve. Someday, you may be the NCO who's Soldier is denied promotion for some slip of gender usage. How you will instruct them? How will you support them? The Army needs competent, caring, and convicted leaders who not only follow orders, but are aggressive in their leadership efforts and constantly take the initiative.

In other words, if I was your LT, I would tell you that your promotion board isn't over. You walked out the room but you're still being evaluated. How you respond to this denial will show everyone what you're about and what kind of potential you have. Your most important window will be how you act in the next 48 hours, before the week is out, while all of this is still fresh in the board's mind.

Response by COL Randall C. made May 11 at 2023 1:21 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 11 May 2023 13:21:58 -0400

First, if everything is as you related (no offence, I have no clue if that's the complete story or your interpretation of it), then my feeling is that that was a very chicken**** thing for the board to do. However, my reaction is probably not for what you're thinking. My reaction would be because the situation was that you were being denied a "GO" because of a 'gotcha question' which I'll come back to in a bit.

To your specific question, "Is there anything in the regulations about this" - Yes and No.

If "this" refers to 'local policy', 'Commander directives', or other 'non-traditional' methods of evaluation of a Soldier appearing before the board, then the answer is no. The only prohibition is that hands-on tasks cannot be used in the board (i.e., "Ok Soldier, we want to see how fast you can disassemble your weapon and put it back together again"). The general GUIDANCE that HRC gives on the conduct of the board is that the "Questions should focus on leadership, awareness of military programs, and knowledge of basic Soldiering and world affairs. The Board should consider the Soldier's overall personal appearance, bearing, self-confidence, oral expression, conversational skills, and attitude when determining each Soldier's potential to serve at the next level of NCO responsibility."

HRC issued additional guidance for semi-centralized promotion boards in ALARACT 068/2021 which states, "To reinforce team and squad leader understanding of how our army cares for its soldiers, promotion to sergeant and staff sergeant will include situational questions in the areas of sexual harassment, suicide prevention, misuse of drugs and alcohol, physical and mental fitness, failure to attend a noncommissioned officer professional development system course, and a subordinate’s decision to reenlist. The purpose of these questions is not to have soldiers appearing before the board quote back army regulations pertaining to these subjects, but to provide the board an assessment of how that individual would react with their soldiers when leading them through these issues and questions. These situational questions reinforce the “this is my squad” initiative within our noncommissioned officer corps and those soldiers about to become noncommissioned officers."

So, CAN the local promotion board consider things outside of the categories of leadership, awareness of military programs, and knowledge of basic Soldiering and world affairs? Sure. They could ask you questions regarding the military's policies regarding transgender Soldiers serving and how you would handle a transgender Soldier in your unit. They could ask question you about how the Army goes about lodging those Soldiers in the barracks or handle personal hygiene with other Soldiers. They could even ask you if you will support the Army/DoD policies regardless of your personal beliefs and/or feelings towards those policies.

However, this may or may not apply in your situation. Getting back to your comments above, you stated that you received a "NO-GO" because you used a gender specific term instead of using a generic term of "Soldier". Is there local policy or training that you went through regarding this or statements by leadership saying so? As far as I know, there hasn't been any instruction regarding using generic references in the Army* (only case I know of is that that US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) issued directions to stop using gender pronouns in written communications), but that doesn't mean that you weren't told to do so at a local level.

Regarding your possible objections to it based on beliefs, it's a non-issue because they weren't giving you a hypothetical situation and asking you to "misgender" someone - the reason for the "NO-GO" that was given to you was for not using "Soldier" instead of a gender specific term. You may not agree with that approach (again, IF it was local policy), but I'm not aware of any religious denomination that would have an objection to using neutral language.

Now, with all that out of the way, to the crux of your situation. Again, IF everything regarding the situation is as you stated, then was the board conducted fairly? My OPINION is that it was not. Again the reason for the board is to gauge your leadership, awareness of military programs, and knowledge of basic Soldiering and world affairs.

However, if your leadership has put out policy and has been reinforcing it with their view of the importance of using gender neutral references to Soldiers ... maybe it was fair. Have you ever been instructed or counseled about using 'Soldier' instead of gender specific pronouns? What I'm getting at is if there is some guidance or official direction from leadership about doing so, then you might not have much to stand on.

If on the other hand there exists no such policy or guidance, then you probably do. The one thing that the regulations DO state is that the voting board members must be unbiased and you would have an argument that the SGM could be biased (if he was in fact a voting member of the board).

I would take advantage of the open door policy and talk to your commander. Assuming there is no policy detailing the use of gender neutral terms for all Soldiers, express your concerns as well as what you were told. Again, IF there is local policy, then you don't have much of a leg to stand on regarding being evaluated by the gendered pronoun (yes, I do still view it as a nit-noid gotcha approach if they used that instead of asking you about policies and such).
--------------------------------------------
* HQDA Memo - https://www.hrc.army.mil/asset/26313
* Army policy regarding transgender Soldiers is that whatever is reflected in their DEERS records is the gender they are treated as an referred to as.

HRC Homepage

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2023 4:24 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 May 2023 16:24:06 -0400

If your answer and the subsequent decision based on that answer is officially documented, by all means approach the IG. In other words, you're going to have to prove it with some sort of concrete evidence.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 16 at 2023 7:30 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 16 May 2023 07:30:57 -0400

This is a question first for the leader above the one who was the president of the board. If it was the CSM then ask for an office call with the brigade CSM. The IG is not the answer.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made May 16 at 2023 1:00 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Tue, 16 May 2023 13:00:55 -0400

The responsibility of the board is to determine if you are ready to be an NCO. By your own admission you intentionally ignored gender guidance because it went against your beliefs. NCOs follow guidance as long as it is not illegal whether they agree or disagree. There are transgender soldiers and one could be assigned to you or be in your chain. You are unable to follow the Army’s guidance. You are not ready to be an NCO. The board did it job and the SGM’s child is just a red herring to distract from that.

Response by SGT Loren Hammons made May 17 at 2023 11:37 AM

SGT Loren Hammons — Wed, 17 May 2023 11:37:09 -0400

I believe with each generation the values of society change and though we disagree with those vlaues and the Military should make it clear to soldiers that this policy has changed, you will have to go with their findings. As with anything else in the military, if you feel you will need to bring it up, I will start with the chain of command who will be able to tell you if there is a regulation change you need to be aware of. I see this as a failure of the leadership to communicate the change. The Board members should have addressed this to you specifically after the results.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 20 at 2023 11:18 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 20 May 2023 23:18:17 -0400

First off we don’t truly know if that’s the only thing that got the no go. You asked one person.

Second, boards grade you against the other participants and their single intent is to eliminate all but one. They may have got you on a gotcha question. Maybe.

Did they violate UCMJ, local policy or Big Army policy? More than likely no from what you have shared.

Response by COL Thomas McGrath made May 21 at 2023 8:58 PM

COL Thomas McGrath — Sun, 21 May 2023 20:58:36 -0400

Go to the IG.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2023 12:52 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2023 00:52:36 -0400

Who tf would think this is even gonna be a thing. Crazy world.

Response by SSG Lucien Hecker made May 23 at 2023 9:50 AM

SSG Lucien Hecker — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:50:41 -0400

I don't believe, based on the information you provided, that you should have received a 'No-Go' for one question the board deemed incorrect.
That alone shouldn't sink your promotion. I too think you answered the question incorrectly, but I understand your implication in the answer. I would have answered with the "he/she" qualifier. But I was in from 1985 - 2009. It was definitely a different time.

Response by SPC James Jackson made May 23 at 2023 2:44 PM

SPC James Jackson — Tue, 23 May 2023 14:44:40 -0400

JFC. To see how far my beloved Army has fallen over this type of stupidity is heart breaking. As a kid when we were asked what you want to be when you grow up my answer was always a soldier, I had no second choice. For me it was a calling until I got injured and the Army decided it had no more use for me but to see the sham, the travesty the military is becoming saddens me. AF that can't fly aircraft, Navy that can't steer a ship on open water without running into another ship, Marines that.. well keep on eating crayons brothers and the Army that has lost all sense of itself and mission over this kind of nonsense. I weep for you all. What happened to the days of "Deeds Not Words"?

Response by PO3 Shayne Seibert made May 24 at 2023 10:51 AM

PO3 Shayne Seibert — Wed, 24 May 2023 10:51:25 -0400

The new military DEI BS is going to cost a lot of good troops promotions because they make a mistake in a board. How you treat troops and talk to them, regardless of gender, is what kind of leader you will be. Superiors on boards are all in on the DEI initiatives because they have to be, but there is no give in their interpretation because they have received guidance on how to base advancements from that indoctrination.
The politization of the ranks is the main reason I got out. If you've gained any skills, I would highly recommend moving toward EOS. This nonsense isn't going away, so save your sanity and go private sector.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made May 24 at 2023 12:05 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Wed, 24 May 2023 12:05:44 -0400

Allowing women to serve in combat roles began in 2013 therefore making them eligible to be called Soldier. And even in some non infantry positions I couldn't give them more praise. Your answer looks to be nothing more than a grammatical error and should be reviewed as such. All the board had to do is ask if you were referring to all personnel or just men.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made May 24 at 2023 2:47 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Wed, 24 May 2023 14:47:51 -0400

This is now a thing in the Army? Have we rewritten our FM's to reflect our new inclusiveness as they were all written as non-gender denigrating he ? Is Connie a transgender now? Is Half-Mast wearing 'tucking' underwear purchased fron Target under his issued uniform?

Response by MSG Michael Gay made May 24 at 2023 8:11 PM

MSG Michael Gay — Wed, 24 May 2023 20:11:12 -0400

It seems that any attempt to get past this will be on shaky ground. The pronoun issue is a major issue from the Commander in Chief through everyone that desires any favorable action.

Response by SSG John Gillespie made May 27 at 2023 6:53 AM

SSG John Gillespie — Sat, 27 May 2023 06:53:36 -0400

As of 2015, when I retired, DA was encouraging gender neutrality in professional communications, though "he/him" was still the default reference to a non-personified "Soldier;" particularly pertinent in TRADOC publications and revised Field Manuals to that date. There were a few contemporary publications which flipped the default to "her/she", but these were obvious outliers and did not fit with the unified doctrine and official language of the Department of the Army at that time. Given the historical and contemporary composition of the Armed Services and the basics of English grammar, it makes sense for the non-personified reference to a Soldier to remain "he/him," though there are always malcontents on the periphery who always wish to control how and what you think and say on political grounds.

Fast forward 8 years and we are now seeing an obvious political agenda being pushed to change the culture of the Army, largely to the detriment of the professional nature of the Service, to include creating obvious readiness and cohesion issues which have no reason for existing other than interference by political actors whom have no experience in or practical knowledge of our particular cultural subset of Americana. They are doing it because they can largely get away with it, under penalty of law for dissent.

For your particular situation, the Hatch Act (Specifically, 5 USC §7324. Political activities on duty; prohibition) forbids personnel in duty uniform or while acting in an official capacity from engaging in political speech or activity. Unless there is a specific AR inclusion governing pronoun usage in speech in recent years, or a specific and published Command Policy letter in your chain which can be traced to being backed by a Federal Law in this regard, then the situation as described would seem to be a blatant violation of 5 USC §7324.

IF (and I stress IF!) you were given a No-Go on your promotion board recommendation due to using standard English language in correctly answering a question, which may be deemed politically inappropriate or incorrect by some actors, and IF the political incorrectness of your use of language was used to determine your performance as unsatisfactory, then the only logical conclusion to be made is that the decision was politically motivated and thus in violation of Federal Law.

Carry on from here, Soldier, just be damned sure of what you do with this information as it WILL burn bridges and you'd better be able to back it up with testimony and evidence if you proceed on these grounds.

[Edit:]
Also, the world is NOT heading in this direction - the political establishment in power is. That is not the same thing.

The issue of alternate pronouns is completely nonsensical in most other Indo-European languages and seems to be tailored to destabilizing culture and society in English speaking countries, specifically.

Response by PO1 Robert Ryan made May 27 at 2023 11:10 AM

PO1 Robert Ryan — Sat, 27 May 2023 11:10:22 -0400

If what this soldier states is true.is this how politically correct the Armed Forces has gotten. I can't believe that a persons induvial rights to their own beliefs as long as they don't advocate any discrimination is wrong.. Sorry for being a dinosaur in this new world.

Response by CPT Ian Stewart made Jun 2 at 2023 10:10 AM

CPT Ian Stewart — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 10:10:39 -0400

COL Cudworth gave a very complete answer, but I think we need more information from the SPC. How did the board phrase the question? Unless they provided some clarification (i.e. biologically male soldier transitioning into female or vice versa), the SPC using standard English grammatical rules answered correctly and therefore should have received a "Go".

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Jun 4 at 2023 11:02 AM

SGT Juan Robledo — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 11:02:42 -0400

You answered the way you know how, if the SGM has a problem then he is using his own personal experience and that’s a conflict of interest and he or she should recuse themselves

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jun 14 at 2023 10:56 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 22:56:41 -0400

That sounds like a very bullcrap thing for the board to do. But at least your NCO support channel didn't tell you to get all of your stuff prepared for the promotion board and to show up on the day of the board and wait for your sponsor to show up and they never show. That's what happened to me.

Response by SPC David C. made Jun 29 at 2023 9:23 PM

SPC David C. — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 21:23:14 -0400

100% fight this bullshit! The SGM's family issues aren't your problem. If this isn't stopped now, it absolutely WILL only get worse.

Response by SFC Benjamin Varlese made Jul 5 at 2023 2:25 PM

SFC Benjamin Varlese — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 14:25:44 -0400

When I was getting out (2018) and females were getting integrated into the infantry (with disastrous results I might add), we were instructed to use more “inclusive” language, such as “soldier members.” It was a BS call by the board, but likely falls under “command guidance.” Get out now, go work for a defense contractor, and go back in when we have a CinC with a spine and conscious

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2023 1:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:59:11 -0400

Sounds like time to ETS!!!! I’m glad I’m getting out!!! Sad to see the ARMY collapse under political correctness! It’s failing in its job to secure and defend the nation, it’s more about defending feelings!!!

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 11 at 2023 5:44 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 17:44:37 -0400

Life is full of challenges and roadblocks and you have to navigate them to be successful. While you may disagree with this, when is the next board? If they want to play stupid games and create new challenges then you find new ways to overcome. Thanks for being stupid and I will raise you...if you were playing cards. Get back in the game, overcome this and create an environment in the army you want. Dont bring the SGM family into this, you will not win. This sounds unfair, stupid, and next month you will beat this shitshow.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2023 8:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:01:29 -0400

If it were me, i would advise the 1SG and my plan and then I would request a meeting with the CSM and ask that question the the CSM, point blank. Most CSMs will be open to giving direct feedback. Additionally, ask to see the board member appraisal worksheets. If that is indeed the case, ask to speak to BC and BDE vommand teams before going to IG. Hope this helps.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2023 11:03 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:03:28 -0400

I don't think this has anything to do with transgender folks. I think it has to do that you forgot you have female peers, subordinates, and leaders. If you default to every soldier is a "He", you are implicitly leaving out women. Unless your religion states that there shouldn't be female soldiers, I'd say tough luck and drop the victim complex.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Jul 12 at 2023 1:25 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:25:50 -0400

Wow! Just ... WOW! As COL Randall C. states, it's more of a "gotcha question!" His advice is absolutely spot-on; follow it.
I'll just add that it's embarrassing what our military has become. Today, I might not last a week if I were still in!

Response by CDR Amy D made Jul 12 at 2023 5:55 PM

CDR Amy D — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:55:11 -0400

Is referring to women and men in the Army as Soldiers against your religion? To the best of my knowledge the equivalent terms have not changed as far as Sailors, Marines, and Officers since I was trained for the Navy in the 90s. Were you actually asked to use "difficult for you" pronouns during the board or just a well accepted term for all people in the Army that demonstrates compliance with policy? I interpreted the theory of the decades old DOD level doctrine as if you consistently say Soldiers maybe that will help you to see just Soldiers. The transgender policy is not that new either, if your religion requires prejudice maybe you should not have enlisted. I retired from the Navy including several Joint commands and operations just before pronouns became a hot topic.I clearly recall before ANY board, especially such a JUNIOR board, the things the board were looking at were generally stressed pretty hard. I'll bet referring to your Soldiers as "Soldiers" has been stressed pretty hard 24/7. I'll bet there are GMT posters in the galley or chow hall and in the head or latrine and the p way and all over the base or camp. "We are all soldiers" or something equally awesome with the word "Soldier'' emphasized. You are now publicly whining about it. I am not sure you could ever overcome this public mistake in a Navy career, especially if your Chief community found out about it. I certainly would not want to be you. According to another comment even though your were reminded during your board you couldn't even follow orders for what 5 to 30 minutes? Now, as a junior enlisted you are still not recognizing your teammates as teammates with the easy button word given to you "Soldier." Somehow your religion requires the use of he and she. Believe or not Women in Services wanted to called Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines . . . even before pronouns became more complicated, probably before you were born. I recommend if you want to stay in the Army, you worry a little bit less about matching your religious beliefs as a gender pronoun-ist up against the rumored identity of the SGM's kid, and a little more about learning to be a better Soldier including listening to directions of your superiors.

Response by SGT Gifford Allaire made Jul 12 at 2023 11:13 PM

SGT Gifford Allaire — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 23:13:49 -0400

I'm old school....but the whole "woke" bullshit is, in my opinion, exactly that. That being said, getting the IG involved is the last option. This is just my thoughts, but if that is where the army is going, get out. Ain't worth compromising your morals.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Jul 12 at 2023 11:51 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 23:51:19 -0400

When I read Comments Like These, It Please Me I Was In The Service From, 1961 - 65,
And NOT At This Time In History. The BS That's Asked About Now, Wouldn't Have Even Been Considered Previously.......Are We Sure We're Discussing The AMERICAN Military?

Response by SFC Dennis Rodriguez made Jul 13 at 2023 12:49 PM

SFC Dennis Rodriguez — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 12:49:02 -0400

Is this where we are headed? Insane! God help us all.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2023 2:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:38:45 -0400

I'm so glad I retired when I did. This issue has absolutely NOTHING to do with being a good leader, soldier, warrior, or human. Our military is broken.

Response by SFC Frederick Dalton made Jul 13 at 2023 7:42 PM

SFC Frederick Dalton — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 19:42:58 -0400

And the Army wonders why they have a recruiting and retention problem. Excuse me while I go kiss my DD-214.

Response by TSgt Gary McPherson made Jul 15 at 2023 4:43 PM

TSgt Gary McPherson — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 16:43:07 -0400

I'm just happy I retired when I did as I would never join the military today.Everything is upside down.

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made Jul 15 at 2023 6:30 PM

SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 18:30:25 -0400

What a ROTTEN REASON not to receive the promotion! I guess that is important stuff to know when engaged in battle. The idiots should hear themselves as to what they are saying to destroy a great military. And they wonder why recruitments are falling through the floor.

Response by PFC Lisa McDonald made Jul 15 at 2023 9:14 PM

PFC Lisa McDonald — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 21:14:30 -0400

Last I checked everyone in the Army is a soldier! Honestly, I am not a fan of "Transgender" I do however think its more important to focus on soldering more than the gender of the soldier. I think its as important to women and maybe more so than it is to "transgender" activist.
Soldier is an umbrella term and is neutral. Again honestly, I cannot see a legitimate religious complaint about calling a soldier a soldier or a SGT a SGT etc. No need for gender pronouns and better without them.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2023 8:24 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 08:24:05 -0400

Well I say F what gov is trying to shove down our throats. There ARE ONLY HE or SHE and if u are XY u are He and XX IS she. What u are IS NOT fluid and goes against ALL science. ANYONE that would vote no go on this should be thrown in Leavenworth forever, PERIOD.

Response by LTC Jorge Cordero made Jul 16 at 2023 1:19 PM

LTC Jorge Cordero — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 13:19:27 -0400

If your account is correct, perhaps the board was justified in denying your promotion. How are you going to handle a "Transgender" person when they are assigned to your squad/team? If your religion already makes you prejudice against them how are you going to treat them fairly, as you want the board to do with you?

Response by LTC Jorge Cordero made Jul 16 at 2023 1:45 PM

LTC Jorge Cordero — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 13:45:51 -0400

If your account is correct, perhaps the board was justified in denying your promotion. How are you going to treat a transgender person when they get assigned to your squad/team? If your religion already makes you prejudice against them how are you going to treat them fairly, like you want the board to treat you?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2023 6:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 18:19:19 -0400

God Bless all our soldiers serving. Thank you for your service. I fear I couldn’t serve today under the conditions you do.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2023 7:47 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 19:47:44 -0400

If this is why you were denied, then there are bigger things to worry about than a promotion. Our army has become weakened, ineffective, and unable to perform It’s mission.

We are headed down a very narrow path due to social engineering by a leftist element in our society.

The job of the military is to protect our country and the American way of life, and kill the enemy. It is not to make room for people with mental illness ie transgender, etc.

If you are suffering from what you are the military is not a place for you. The people in charge of the military are political hacks, not soldiers. When China comes knocking in WW3, our military will be busy worrying about E5s misidentifying someone who doesn’t know what they are instead of fighting and winning. Glad I’m no longer a part of the military. What was the last vestige of American Pride has been destroyed.

Response by SP5 Sandra Dockeney made Jul 17 at 2023 10:42 AM

SP5 Sandra Dockeney — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:42:24 -0400

Why would any promotion care whether a soldier is addressed as he or she? This sounds stupid.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Jul 17 at 2023 11:24 AM

CPL Sheila Lewis — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 11:24:18 -0400

Don't quit and continue to fight for that stripe and the next one too.

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made Jul 17 at 2023 2:22 PM

SGT Tim Tobin — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:22:50 -0400

Your going way to deep. There are now female soldiers and your response eliminated them. "The soldier should" has nothing to do with Trans vs straight it is excluding anyone but a male soldier

Response by CSM Todd Smith made Jul 21 at 2023 11:58 AM

CSM Todd Smith — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 11:58:18 -0400

I am so glad that I am retired and don't have to put up with this BS. Fact: there are only two sexes/genders male and female. The percentage of people who are born hermaphrodite is .018. All these other "genders" are made up and not based on science just wishful thinking. I'll probably get some hate mail but this is the truth.

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Jul 21 at 2023 3:28 PM

Cpl George Matousek — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 15:28:27 -0400

I do not feel that should have made and difference. Semper Fi

Response by CW3 Dan Mackey made Aug 3 at 2023 5:34 PM

CW3 Dan Mackey — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 17:34:03 -0400

Rest easy for a bit. Going to the IG will label you as trouble by everyone in your unit. Don't be fooled for a second into thinking that they won't know it is you. Only so many people can fit the criteria of the complaint. They can make your life miserable. When I was an E5 I pissed off our platoon sergeant by showing the LT that we had gone the wrong way on a field training for the battalion. The next month I was move from being squad leader to machine gunner. The platoon sgt. simple smiled and told me that the machine guns needed to be in the hands of the smartest men in the platoon. I was pissed, he had the power and did nothing wrong, I got screwed and put in my place. My buddies talked me out of going over his head. In less than two months I was promoted to E6, I had been boarded, I know I would have been accused of hitting my wife or something like that If I had complained. A buddy from Ranger School had that derail his promotion to E6 because of something similar. OG Army guys know a million and one ways to screw you within the rules. It sucks and it is not right and IT IS A PART OF SERVING. Just tighten up your prep and wait for the next chance in three to six months. It will feel long but it will happen.

Response by 1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) made Aug 7 at 2023 8:23 AM

1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 08:23:17 -0400

First of all, if that was the only reason, the Board should not have denied your promotion for what they considered to be a major fault - it would be a very poor decision! However, I am looking at your response in a slightly different way. Responding with "the soldier should" has nothing to do with transgender, gay, or whatever... It has to do with accepting that all of our Brothers and Sisters in Arms share equally with the overall accomplishment of our mission. During my time in service (a long time before yours) I had a difficult time accepting this. It took a while but I eventually understood the significance of being all inclusive. I don't think religion would prohibit anyone from using the term "a soldier should". What you consider to be "a soldier" is within your own mind and cannot be interpreted by anyone else. Looking for regulations or getting the IG involved is probably not your best plan of action. Instead, talk to your sponsor about going before the next board. Show everyone that you can learn from what they perceive as mistakes and move forward, You sound like an intelligent, dedicated, and hard working soldier. I look forward to your future promotion to Sergeant Major of the Army! Hold your head up, be proud, and drive on!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2023 11:01 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:01:20 -0400

This is nonsense. The board President had a predetermined “gotcha” question based on personal feelings. Boards aren’t supposed to be a “gotcha” moment.

Does the CoC believe this individual should be promoted? —Yes, board deems promotable if the Soldier demonstrates a reasonable level of board preparation

Response by SFC R. Lee Linebarger made Aug 28 at 2023 3:22 PM

SFC R. Lee Linebarger — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:22:17 -0400

IG for sure.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Sep 20 at 2023 11:23 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 23:23:27 -0400

All other comments aside, here's another view.
I had male and female MP's. I referred to them as him, or her, as appropriate. Were I asked that question in a board, I'd have stated something like, "I would talk to him or her, and..." Of course, even "back when," replying, "I would talk to the soldier, and ..." would have been fine.
Would the answer he gave be less objective if his subordinate soldiers were all male? It would be a perfectly natural response in that case.

Response by 1SG Mark Rodgers made Sep 21 at 2023 6:30 PM

1SG Mark Rodgers — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 18:30:48 -0400

Those of us that served in the Army and reserve, know we were Soldiers and should always be referred to as such.
I doubt ever getting IG involved would work because the decision was made by the board, probably the president. Has nothing to do with pronouns Soldier! Lesson learned.

Response by SGT Warren Crutcher made Oct 20 at 2023 2:35 PM

SGT Warren Crutcher — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 14:35:23 -0400

Ok, You said the first question you were asked, you referred to the soldier as "he should". Did the question refer to the soldier as a male or simply as a soldier? If the question was not gender specific, then perhaps you should have answered the question as non-gender specific such as "the soldier should". Maybe that was the actual issue. A soldier is a soldier no matter what their gender. Just something to think about the next time you go to the board. It's the small details that will make or break you.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Oct 20 at 2023 2:47 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 14:47:05 -0400

YOU'RE COMMAND IS WOKE

Response by SP5 Richard Barton made Oct 22 at 2023 2:53 AM

SP5 Richard Barton — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 02:53:11 -0400

Our country and especially the military has huge problems if political correctness runs everything. Bureaucrats pull this crap to exert power they wish they had. I'd go to the AG so faster than a construction worker on a burrito.

Response by CW4 Don Nicholas made Oct 22 at 2023 10:59 AM

CW4 Don Nicholas — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 10:59:32 -0400

We need a WOKE military as much as allowing transgender to be recruited so they can get "reassignment"surgery. All your doing is putting a lifetime of physical and mental health problems onto the VA. You can bet they won't have the same hoops to jump through that combat veterans are forced to do.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Oct 24 at 2023 8:20 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 20:20:38 -0400

Well, my first response is thank Gen Cracker Jack Milley and austin for having to even be placed in a position where if you don't comply to popular or not sentences you can't be promoted. This is what the IG is for or your personal attorney.

Response by SSG Cary Myers made Oct 25 at 2023 8:03 AM

SSG Cary Myers — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 08:03:07 -0400

I am grateful that I was not still in the military when all this gender confusion started. I personally think that by catering to the delusion of the soldier and not getting them the psychiatric help they need, we do both them and the service a terrible injustice.
Addiction, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and others are all issues that are considered to require counseling. Gender dysphoria should be considered the same way.
As for promotion boards holding a minor issue that is controversial against an otherwise perfectly suitable candidate is not only unfair to the soldier being considered, but also to the service.

Response by PO3 Dn King made Oct 25 at 2023 1:41 PM

PO3 Dn King — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:41:47 -0400

Don't take legal advise from a comment section, but... No, seriously, that's my advice. If you think you've been unjustly discriminated against, talk to a reputable law firm. If your case has no merit, they won't waste their time on any of it. If your case appears to have merit, they'll accept it because that's literally their job, what they get paid to do. If a lawyer won't take your case (or refer you to a specialist colleague), most often it's because you don't, in fact, have a case. Taking advice here, or from any non-expert, has the potential to steer you in the wrong direction, and going in the wrong direction WILL cause you harm.

I've used this tactic several times and I've saved myself thousands of dollars and days' worth of time. Not for discrimination, but child custody, auto accidents, theft, etc.

As for your infraction, you don't describe anything in what they said that would imply a trans rights issue. "He" instead of "the soldier" has been the norm for a long time because women also serve. Back in the 80s, the Catholic nuns at my *religious* school taught us to avoid assuming genders when none is specified or strongly implied. Being a soldier, sailor, or marine doesn't imply you're a man. Being an airman reeeeealllly doesn't imply you're a man.

Response by SFC Lynn Santosuosso made Oct 25 at 2023 10:38 PM

SFC Lynn Santosuosso — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 22:38:01 -0400

It seems moot. If you know the soldier you are referring to identifies with the pronouns of he/ him then it wouldn’t/ shouldn’t matter!
I am a member of the LGBTQ Community and as far as I am concerned the whole pronoun thing is bullshit! If I see a girl in front of me then I am going to refer to her as she, if I see a boy in front of me then I am going to refer to him as he. At what point are we going to get back to the fact that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck then it isn’t a dog so it must be a duck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2023 11:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 23:47:22 -0400

I Me Mine? Let It Be. ---> Stick with a universal identifier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seqaTuXkqFI

I Me Mine (Remastered 2009)

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupI Me Mine (Remastered 2009) · The BeatlesLet It Be 2009 Calderstone Productions Limited (a division of Universal...

Response by SPC Daniel Dresen made Oct 26 at 2023 8:11 PM

SPC Daniel Dresen — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 20:11:13 -0400

Guess what, being gender neutral because you serve with men AND women means using a third person perspective is appropriate for a board answer. Unless the question you received directly stipulated a pronoun, you are wrong. Period. The board does throw in questions like this to weed out someone like you who would end up with an EO complaint. So only cis gender men can serve? Is that it? Then you are in the wrong country's military. Even Russia has women in their military. Heck, even terror cells use women for various operations. About the only military for you is Mauritania. They prohibit women from serving... only country in the world to do so. And if you KNOW the SGM has a trans child... you are just ate all up on many levels. So either 1) learn from this or 2) ets.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2023 9:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 21:18:50 -0400

I would doubt the reason was so petty, has to be another reason.

Response by Brad Miller made Nov 6 at 2023 12:49 AM

Brad Miller — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 00:49:05 -0500

In English, male is the *default* gender for any unspecified setting.

Response by SP5 George Butts made Nov 16 at 2023 3:39 PM

SP5 George Butts — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:39:44 -0500

The state of pressure to conform to, for lack of a better word, Woke "Indoctrination" ("The process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically") in the modern military is alarming and unfortunate as I see it. Seems a sector of leadership (from Congress to the highest branch level) has, to an extent, given in to too much attention to feelings. Consider; one's identity does not determine biological reality. For one to deviate from reality is delusional ("Characterized by or holding false beliefs or judgments about reality that are held despite incontrovertible evidence to the contrary, typically as a symptom of a mental condition.") So, are the inmates now running the asylum? Seems so! The unfortunate SPC going for promotion had not been indoctrinated thoroughly to the promotion board's Orwellian requirement to practice "Newspeak." All a good indication the concept attributed to former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushev is now with us. "We do not have to invade the United States, we will destroy you from within." Little did he know just how that would happen.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Nov 19 at 2023 8:06 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 20:06:41 -0500

Don't feel too bad. At least you got to appear before the board. My leadership told me to get ready, make sure all of my paperwork was in order & that my uniform was squared, and I didn't even to appear.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2023 12:31 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 00:31:06 -0500

I will preface this with I don’t care about being PC, just be honest. I am not the PC police but your excuse for not doing something was, it was against my religion…kind of sounds like you are working the system here. You are in the military, we don’t care about your religion or which religion you believe in, you do what your government tells you to do, when they tell you to do it. So calling someone by a pronoun that they physically aren’t is against your religion but killing because that same government sent you somewhere to kill is okay lol. Sounds like you don’t like to follow orders that you don’t agree with, maybe the military isn’t for you if you are going to pick and choose which orders you will follow.

Response by MAJ Steve Daugherty made Nov 20 at 2023 12:30 PM

MAJ Steve Daugherty — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:30:16 -0500

Do you only deal with male soldiers? Even in the 1970's and 1980's there were a number of female soldiers. You should have been corrected to use a nongender reference but seems a small reason to deny promotion if everything else is good.

Response by SSG Eric Eck made Nov 21 at 2023 5:24 AM

SSG Eric Eck — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 05:24:52 -0500

The real fact of the matter actually goes back before transgender situations. When women started filling more roles in the Army they used the terminology to include them. When I got out in 2014 it was expected that in counseling and when referencing soldiers you were to userank and name or the soldier without actually saying he/she because if your not talking about a specific person it could be deemed sexist. You're also expected to not answer questions with "I".

Response by 1SG Lamar Dee Evans made Nov 23 at 2023 2:49 PM

1SG Lamar Dee Evans — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:49:29 -0500

Questions like these prove what we all fear…woke af…

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2023 8:36 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:36:33 -0500

It's against your religion to acknowledge there are both female and male Soldiers? That may be where the board president was coming from not specifically referring to transgender persons which it seems like your trying to imply. However to answer your question some regulations have indeed changed from giving Soldier a specific pronoun other than Soldier. So by all means go to IG and let everyone know. You should go to the division CSM as well.

Response by PO1 Don Uhrig made Nov 24 at 2023 6:44 PM

PO1 Don Uhrig — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 18:44:35 -0500

The board response was not about "pronouns" it was because your response of "he" was not even a smidge inclusive of your female battle buddies. Their response is not about trans etc. You should learn to use gender inclusive terms. "They" are everyone around you - not just men. If others before the board used inclusive terminology and answered equally well as you, then "they" nailed it and were deemed worthy of promotion. There are only so many slot - you unfortunately lost it this time. You can try to go all legal - but you better be 100% sure you can win. Anything less will brand your career in a negative way. Being inclusive is part of showing Honor, Courage, Commitment and Respect.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2023 11:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 23:33:34 -0500

The only thing an IG can do is "suggest." I lost my career because a boneheaded "commander" decided to take a female's word over mine. I went to Benning IG and you know what mr. King (yes he was the IG at the time). "It is not a IG issue." IG is worse than useless. To have an IG is to give hope where there is none. Needless to say I sued ms. Pamela Hall in court in Kansas (the female who lied on her sworn statement) and my lawyers took her apart on the stand as written in the official court transcript (her testimony is scanned into my book from the official transcript). Of course the US Army Board of Corrections did nothing.

Response by SFC Clifford Brewer made Nov 26 at 2023 2:23 PM

SFC Clifford Brewer — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 14:23:23 -0500

I read the writer board questioning what confused me with what did the board questioning had to do with CSM having a transgender kid. The only thing I see you couldn’t or didn’t know how to use the soldier in your answer. Hell I use the term hey soldier if he or she had their back turned to me.. I think you didn’t seen NCO matter to the board.. and your sponsor should have explained more in detail why you got a NO-GO.. plus you can go to your 1SGT ..for a explanation

Response by MGySgt Samuel Steen made Nov 26 at 2023 5:15 PM

MGySgt Samuel Steen — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 17:15:16 -0500

No there is no such requirement that I’m aware that you must use gender neutral language and if that’s truly the reason you received a NO GO, I would contact the IG if my chain of command is pushing you to use gender neutral words and denied you a promotion. If it’s a male you can say he, him and if it’s a female it’s her or her’s. I seems to me that’s a bull.&$/ reason to not recommend you for promotion and if it were me I would file a complaint with the IG. I’m so glad the Marine Corps does not use that as a criteria to get promoted if you have met all requirements for promotion, rifle range, PME, PFT and time in service and time in grade there’s no board until reach Staff Sergeant but even then only your service record book is at the board not the Marine.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Nov 26 at 2023 7:20 PM

1SG James Kelly — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 19:20:58 -0500

You have Studs and Bumpy Soldiers.
That's it.

Response by 1SG Rene Davis made Dec 17 at 2023 7:27 PM

1SG Rene Davis — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 19:27:56 -0500

What in the world has happened to my Army?

Response by Col Dan Ketter made Dec 17 at 2023 8:32 PM

Col Dan Ketter — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 20:32:53 -0500

The Supremes have ruled that this is nonsense. And an appeal is more than justified. I've been thru this nonsense far to many times in my career and unless some says something it just get worse

Response by SGT Mark David made Dec 18 at 2023 12:27 PM

SGT Mark David — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:27:44 -0500

Wow. If you stopped after your first paragraph, I'd be thinking you were treated unreasonably because of a slip of the tongue--forgivable because "he" was historically the grammatically correct choice, and maybe you grew up where and when it still was. But your second paragraph convinces me otherwise.

What you seem to be saying is that its against your religion to respect other people who you disagree with, and therefore you have to poke them in the eye with a verbal stick at every opportunity. I'm not religious, but if I'm having dinner at a table where people want to say grace, I don't start eating until they do and I don't talk while they're saying grace, simply out of respect for them as fellow human beings. I think it's silly to want to be referred to as "they" but if that's what someone want to be called, I try to accomodate them, the same way I try to remember not to call someone "Phil" if he prefers to be called "Phillip" or vice versa. It's just a matter of common courtesy. You might want to consider doing the same.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2023 7:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:14:29 -0500

Nothing personal, but I'm definitely calling bullshit. There's no way in hell you failed a promotion board just because you used "gendered language." Either the board is only giving your sponsor a part of the story, your sponsor only gave you part of the story, or you're only giving us part of the story. Either way, there's a hell of a lot of information being left out of this.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2023 7:58 AM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 07:58:10 -0500

Old post, but IF this was true, you should absolutely go to the IG, to Congress, to a bunch of organizations.

However, my gut tells me this is 100% a troll.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2023 8:14 PM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 20:14:14 -0500

This seems like a thing very specific to the composition of this board. I think this has less to do with transgender policy and more to do with a position of this particular board and their feeling that there are no men or women soldiers. There are just soldiers. You could certainly file an IG complaint if you feel that sort of thing goes too far. The IG may disagree.

Response by CPL Patrick Lowe made Dec 20 at 2023 9:35 PM

CPL Patrick Lowe — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:35:00 -0500

If this two start gets axed for one "offside" commit, what do you think any enlisted will fair better?

The U.S. Army yanked Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves‘ nomination to a third star because it determined that he called a female congressional staffer “sweetheart,” according to Stars and Stripes. This violated the Army Command Policy’s rule on “dignity and respect.”.
8 Jan 2018.

Response by SGT Kenneth Potts made Dec 20 at 2023 10:35 PM

SGT Kenneth Potts — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 22:35:23 -0500

First rule that you broke, is never assume. You assumed the Soldier was male. You just happened to be before a board that was not picking. Lesson learned, keep studying and wait for a chance to go again.

Response by MSG David Holmden made Dec 21 at 2023 12:40 PM

MSG David Holmden — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:40:45 -0500

I can see “depending” on how the question was asked see why they wanted it stated as “the soldier should”… first instance would be we are “all” soldiers so if it wasn’t related to a specific gender THAT could be why they wanted to hear the soldier… vs he should, because if there are male AND females that could do that MOS etc that would be why they wanted SM. Because male/female ARE SM’s not just him. But now if the question was related to a gender specific ie a male SM then yes, that’d be totally wrong for them to gig you for “he should”. Not knowing how/what the question was is kind of difficult to say yes or no they are wrong. “Just my two pennies for the day”

Response by SFC Douglas Welch made Dec 21 at 2023 1:33 PM

SFC Douglas Welch — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 13:33:33 -0500

Some of these comments are so subjective. One standard should fit all. From one unit to the next, policies should enforce, promote and ensure an action or task. Wokeness in the military will be the downfall of the United States. Just my opinion from a family with 200+ years of active duty in all the branches.

Response by SGT John Baker made Dec 22 at 2023 7:51 PM

SGT John Baker — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:51:17 -0500

We must all bow and genuflect in the presence of our overwhelming numbers of Liberals and their lockstep speech/mind/thinking control. The only thing I can see wrong with this is what if we find ourselves facing an enemy that does not care about political correctness? What if they win?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 23 at 2023 9:54 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 09:54:56 -0500

I've been out since 2013, I know things have changed. Has a DOD, or Army directive been issued forbidding the use of gender pronouns?
If not, is there a local policy?
If not, and the senior enlisted sitting the board allowed what you allege.. That senior enlisted has failed you as a leader. And there is little you can do about it... the promotion board is a highly subjective thing.. you can pass or fail at the whims and feelings of those sitting the board.
So even if you speak to your commander, and then make an IG complaint.. You might get a re-board out of it... But do you think that same senior leader is going to "feel" you are ready for promotion the next time?

My advice as someone how went through many boards sat on many boards, had to get senior to me people to do what I wanted them to do.........Tell your 1SG you understand the mistake you made at the last board, and tell him you will get it right the next time, just give you a chance to prove it.
Nail the board and get the recommendation for promotion you need, get promoted and then make a difference, lead and be the NCO you think your unit needs.

Response by PO2 Michael Henry made Dec 24 at 2023 1:40 AM

PO2 Michael Henry — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 01:40:43 -0500

The military's prime objective is to win wars and the hell with political correctness. The military is not a social experiment. Regardless of you saying he, she, or something made up... that's pointless and those involved have nothing else to do but have their heads so far up their ass is inconceivable. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES is this supposed to be used against you. Not every military job has women in the ranks. Yes, to cover your butt, "The soldier" would have been safer as the military has been letting women join for decades. However, where is the UCMJ code that actually states "one must use the proper gender pronouns at all times." I aso mean, not the standard "Sir for men/Maam for women or rank" but the made up stuff. Don't use the "Refusal to follow orders argument". Any such order is illegal as it is detrimental to unit morale and removes focus from the actual objective. Does one need to be ordered not to kill or steal from fellow servicemembers? No. Those are separate charges. All this woke BS just so the top brass/enlisted involved can brown nose thier way to the next rank. I know I'm an E-5 and there are some high ranking officers here, some maybe still active, but there are enough old-school vets who will likely side with me on this. We are in a position we will be getting marched over by China or some other country if they try to invade because they are going to use the political propaganda as a weakness. Do not cave to the woke mob. Regardless if the SGM has a "transgender" kid makes no difference on whether the SGM can actually perform the required duites of the position. Seems like they can't if they are bowing down to this crap. As for a religious argument, were you asked to accept policies that fly in the face of scientific logic and religious teachings? Pretty much a given since day 1 nowadays. When DADT was repealled, they stated in the briefings, that we could use a religious exemption to the new policies. I knew that would be a farce because they would find another way around the policy to make your life hell. I chose to get out months later because it was the top of the downward slide we were marching towards and I wanted no part of it.

Response by SPC Sarah Wingo-Story made Dec 24 at 2023 3:57 PM

SPC Sarah Wingo-Story — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 15:57:33 -0500

"The soldier" can also imply female soldiers not just trans. So maybe get used to being inclusive of others or get out?

Response by LtCol Bruce Janis made Dec 24 at 2023 10:06 PM

LtCol Bruce Janis — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 22:06:51 -0500

Been retired since 94, so not up to date, but can you ask for a copy of the board’s decision? If so, it might answer your question. From my 90s perspective, seems to be a CS decision to make…best of luck with this.

Response by SPC Julia Jaworski made Dec 25 at 2023 9:13 AM

SPC Julia Jaworski — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 09:13:18 -0500

Defend yourself; take the time to learn your military code of conducts and guidelines yourself. Then when you speak, you'll speak with authority and no one will BS you. You'll know what legal ground you have to stand on and use it, go right up your chain of command. If someone gets in your way and the chain of command go around them and even go to the top and let it work down. Don't ask, tell them with knowledge and facts what they're going to do and not going to do. You got to decide whether you're going to be a follower of others or a leader to yourself. Don't be looking down because there's no discharge on the ground nor help to get up, you got to do that yourself. You can do it buddy, get-r-done!

Response by PO1 David M Burns made Dec 28 at 2023 5:43 AM

PO1 David M Burns — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 05:43:02 -0500

Yes,go to the I.G. The moron who disapproved your promotion because of the weird assholes running smoke should at the least have his sorry ass whipped, this woke bullshit should have never gotten into the army nut what do you expect with a recruiting video of a female stating, “ I have two moms!.

Response by Sgt Lew Dunham made Jan 21 at 2024 4:18 PM

Sgt Lew Dunham — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:18:47 -0500

Pronouns??? What's next? Commas, semi-colons?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2024 2:42 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:42:21 -0500

If this is the actual case then that is total bullshit. As president of those boards as well as members, those questions. "gotcha or not" should have been presented and vetted by the president and members. That is not even a gotcha answer. A gotcha answer example would be how much is a first class postage stamp knowing that it was raised a day or two earlier. Not sure if that's IG material but good luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2024 5:05 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 17:05:53 -0500

If it is exactly as you say, you should take to someone starting with your chain of command.

I do not understand “misgendering”. SM’s are the gender on their DEERS marker, and there is a specific process to be followed and documented for the DEERS marker to be changed. Reminder in this uncertain time, I always address soldiers by name and rank, or “warrior” if referring to them in 3rd person.

Good luck, stay strong, and soldier on!!!

Response by CAPT Edward Schmitt made Jan 26 at 2024 8:00 PM

CAPT Edward Schmitt — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 20:00:08 -0500

Gender pronouns? Why? Sounds like someone who wants promotion based upon sex/orientation/race rather than accomplishment. No soup for you

Response by TSgt Alex Barkey made Feb 18 at 2024 8:37 AM

TSgt Alex Barkey — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 08:37:41 -0500

I retired going on 7 years now and I was seeing some of this back then. I do not agree with the direction the military is going. I hope you get promoted...so you can make little changes from within that can lead to strengthening then military. Good luck and keep the faith that you can make a difference.

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Feb 19 at 2024 7:07 AM

SPC Matt Ovaska — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 07:07:06 -0500

Welcome to Uncle Sam's or should I say Aunt Sam's modern day twisted military that can only get worse every day. ETS might be your best bet. That light in the tunnel is in fact a train.

Response by HN Chris R. made Feb 26 at 2024 3:07 PM

HN Chris R. — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:07:51 -0500

Pronouns have NO place in the military. Last name, rank, soldier should be enough to identify a member of the armed forces.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2024 7:15 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 07:15:53 -0500

Quit thinking that the IG can do anything. They can't. I went to Sgt King, Fort Benning IG over an order that was not able to be followed. The IG got in touch with the Commander, who said he would take it under "advisement." No one has to listen to ANYTHING that the IG, or for that matter, the EEO says. My career hung in that balance and I lost everything because I had a "commander" that decided a "peer" was telling the truth about me somehow finding out where this peer was staying over Christmas Exodus and going to that place. Without regards to the 7 eyewitness statements and my mother's affadavidt stating that I was with her in Georgia. Not in Kansas where we later found out that this peer was staying - at her Parent's house, after I sued her for libel, slander, and defamation, put her everyone at that house on the stand where they admitted that no one saw me in Kansas and the "peer Ms. Pamela J. Hall, admitted that she lied because she did not want to be recycled. It is all in the official Kansas City Court transcript. Commanders don't care how far fetched the story that someone tells is. Mr. Carl Bergaman sure did not. I ended up witing my names named nonfiction book because of what they did. For years afterward I wondered where was MY protection against something like that. And then someone told me that The IG and EEO can only advise. They can not force a commander to do anything. So they did not, and I paid the price.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2024 10:20 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:20:36 -0500

There’s nothing wrong with using non gender specific terms. IE “The soldier…”

I draw the line when “they” want non traditional pronouns.

Response by CPT Edward Baker made Feb 27 at 2024 4:53 PM

CPT Edward Baker — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:53:06 -0500

I had to read through this a couple of times before responding. There are two sides to this in reality. Yes, it could be the new gender BS but at the same time it could be just an old soldier mentality. When I served there was a mentality of there is no male or female we are soldiers, and the only color was green. This could be what happened to you. We didn't refer to genders. Everyone was a soldier. With that in mind, it would depend on how the question was asked and what the question was. I think even in todays military referring to everyone as soldier eliminates the confusion of what pronouns to use.

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Mar 3 at 2024 12:12 PM

SGT Juan Robledo — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 12:12:52 -0500

It's BS if that's the Board Mentality and if they use it against you

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Mar 3 at 2024 12:15 PM

SGT Juan Robledo — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 12:15:27 -0500

Sounds like the Military are nothing now days but SNOWFLAKES

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Mar 6 at 2024 9:02 PM

SPC Matt Ovaska — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 21:02:38 -0500

Welcome to the kinder gentler army. How does that make you feel? Most of the real soldiers have left the military. I told my son not to join. He'll be the first man in my family that will not fight for his country.. I hope things turn around.

Response by SFC Robert Farley made Mar 6 at 2024 11:35 PM

SFC Robert Farley — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:35:56 -0500

Unfortunately you can be denied a go for anything. However, the reason you didn't receive a go is total horseshit. Stuff like this is why I discouraged my son from going into military, he didn’t listen, but he tells me once a week he should have listened to me.

Response by LTC John Burgess made Mar 19 at 2024 8:17 PM

LTC John Burgess — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 20:17:03 -0400

Nonsense from my perspective... while I respect the idea that we should respect people's personal decisions and not ostracize them for their sexual orientations... provided they leave them out of the workplace.... they have no business in the office or the foxhole... we should not penalize people for dumb shit like this. Now... the flip side... "attention to detail"... if you are asked a question that involves a "soldier" (no context regarding male, female or otherwise)... I guess you should take the lead and simply use the "asexual" term "soldier". However... I dont believe that using he or she (most soldiers, statistically, are "he"s) should be amount to justification for failure... I would like to see the "question" and the scoring rubric for it.... seems the use of an acceptable pronoun should be secondary to whether the answer was a good answer.

Response by PO2 Howard Carrell made Mar 20 at 2024 1:34 PM

PO2 Howard Carrell — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 13:34:25 -0400

There are two genders Male and Female.

Response by PO2 Howard Carrell made Mar 20 at 2024 1:38 PM

PO2 Howard Carrell — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 13:38:09 -0400

There are two genders MALE and FEMALE.

Response by PO2 Howard Carrell made Mar 20 at 2024 2:44 PM

PO2 Howard Carrell — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:44:33 -0400

In my opinion, what could be a Mental issues, should not enter into the discussion on any level.

Response by PVT Steven Bornman made Mar 29 at 2024 2:08 PM

PVT Steven Bornman — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:08:59 -0400

I am so glad to be out of service. When the military started turning boys into girls under Obama made me sick to my stomach. I am sure hate speech with surely come. Pretty soon there will be "No Country for Straight Men" a new movie of the old days where men were men, and women were women.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2024 2:04 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 14:04:08 -0400

I'm so tired of politics getting involved with military decisions & day to day operations. Yes go to IG & if you're from a state that is conservative and contact your congressman. This identity politics and social justice nonsense is doing more harm to the military for years now. And the military wonders why retention is so low. I've had friends who were gonna be career but after deployment & all the nonsense that is pushed he called it quits. The only way to get back out of this is by reporting every single thing like this to anyone that will listen carers are being hurt. The military is losing good ncos & officers to the bs politics being pushed. And with the generation no where as many as joining up. I mean what is it 50k short this year in the just army this past year.

Response by CW3 Debra Irby made Apr 1 at 2024 4:51 PM

CW3 Debra Irby — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 16:51:37 -0400

You may not like my answer because I am old, a woman, and a Warrant Officer. You know the type that doesn't believe in BS. This is crazy if the story is accurate. I must admit I am glad I retired a long time ago. I was in an Army where everyone was treated equally bad. The truth is there are only two genders. If we are worried about this "stuff" how are we going to win wars? I wish you good luck with this issue and hope you get a deserved promotion.

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Apr 3 at 2024 7:31 PM

SGT Erick Holmes — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:31:33 -0400

fact that you brought up gender pronouns is ridiculous. I understand that this is a safe place for all comments. I will do my best to be non whatever you want to call it. I can't speak for everyone nor the old schoolers however some will agree with and most won't. But the fact that United States Military one of the finest organizations in the world has to deal with pronouns and identity this and identity that is quite frankly annoying. Again I believe that I am entiled to my opinion without (hopefully) offending others. I understand that times has change but this is the military. As a former member of this fine organization I didn't have the time to worry about if I said this pronoun correctly or that pronoun that way or what I said offend you, them, they etc. I think the military has gone soft and taking in politics and jamming it down our throats. When I looked at a person and saw their last name I said it. If I pronounced it wrong I was immediately corrected. I didn't worry about PVT such and such being called they or them PVT such and such. So to answer your question, I have no idea and I don't think Google would know the answer to this.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Apr 27 at 2024 11:03 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 11:03:38 -0400

The Board probably used the process of elimination because there were others equal to your ratings and they had to choose one. I'm sure they used a "fine tooth comb" to find something on everyone in the promotion board in order to select the best qualified.

Response by CPL Joe Zaucha made Apr 27 at 2024 11:27 AM

CPL Joe Zaucha — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 11:27:31 -0400

Unfortunately, in the world we live in this is what we have to deal with. In the job that I currently have, I went to call a meeting and told them “ hey guys, can everybody come into the meeting room really quick.“ This led to me being approached by someone who wanted to point out that not everyone identifies as “guys“ they were absolutely serious when they told me this. My first reaction was to explain myself that I meant guys in the general term, and not gender term, but realized in this day and age it was best to just keep my mouth shut, not my head and say “no problem.”

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2024 3:39 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 15:39:56 -0400

I certainly hope not.

Response by SrA Joshua Pickering made May 3 at 2024 12:58 AM

SrA Joshua Pickering — Fri, 03 May 2024 00:58:25 -0400

Being transgender myself i don't see anything wrong with what was said. Gender pronouns are a cry babies way to feel special and cause bs self centered look at me attention for themselves. Drop the pronouns and use the traditional military terms. F- stick, tard, shit, bag. Pretty much any word that came after the F. But that's just my opinion don't focus on a stupid word.