Can you offer advice for getting low enlisted promotion waivers?

SGT Robert Pennington — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 09:57:05 -0400

I am in a time crunch to get promoted from E-2 to E-4 in time to meet the requirements for Green to Gold before I am too old for the program (23). What are some ways I can make myself noticed as a soldier who is worthy to get waivers for promotion?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 10:36 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 10:36:53 -0400

Does Green to Gold have a certain rank requirement before you can submit an application? Otherwise, here are some hints. Take charge of things (missions, details, etc) that your Team Leader/Squad Leader feel you can handle. Score max scores in your APFT. DO NOT get into any kind of trouble. Show up early, leave work late. Set yourself above and beyond your peers. And get all kinds of education done now (SSD 1 if you haven't completed it by now).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 8:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:29:22 -0400

23 is not the age requirement for Green to Gold. I went Green to Gold and commissioned at the fresh age of 34.

In the meantime, you need to contact Cadet Command or visit the goarmy.com website to get the most accurate information. In the meantime, you have a duty to be the best Soldier that you can be. If you do your job well and you Soldier well, your platoon sergeant will recommend you for a waiver. Waivers aren't just given to anybody; the 1SG gets waivers from battalion and it's his/her responsibility to seek out their PSGs to see who the most worthy for them are.

There are some things you need to focus on if you are trying to go Green to Gold. The board looks at 3 areas using a SAL worksheet: Scholar, Athlete, Leader. You need to have enough college credits to finish your degree in the 2 years of ROTC you need to commission. Get good grades. If your GPA is less than 3.1, odds are you won't be selected at all. Work on getting a solid PT score; strive for the APFT badge. If you play a sport, look to play in the post intermurals. Lastly, you need to go to some boards. Soldier of the quarter/year. Audie Murphy. SGT Morales board. Making the commandant's list at WLC or any other NCOES schools help greatly.

The Green to Gold selection board seeks out the best enlisted Soldiers/NCOs and awards them the opportunity to be Officers. It starts with basic Soldiering. Be a good Soldier, don't rush into putting your packet in, and do well/take pride in everything you do. Best of luck to you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 5:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 17:17:32 -0400

My advice would be to out perform your peers. Accelerated promotions are allocated from the Brigade Level on down. Depending on availability of slots determines the availability of allocations. Like anything else in this world you need to work above and beyond your peers. Some ways to do this are: volunteer whenever possible, further pursue both civilian and military education. Utilize the Go Army Ed website to request Tuition Assistance.

Every Soldier is allotted up to 16 Semester Hours worth of Tuition Assistance at an accredited university. That translates into free tuition, as long as you maintain a grade point average of B or higher in your classes. You also earn promotion points (necessary for promotion to Sergeant) from civilian college. Another way to stand out is to actively look for and place yourself into opportunities where you can showcase greater levels of responsibility.

Finally, ask your team leader during your next counseling what other tasks, duties you can perform. It will vary with your unit's mission, your MOS and time available. Good luck with your future goals.