Changes for NCOs: New requirements and promotion points. Have You Heard?

No, it shouldn't count because what does a deployment have to be with being a leader? Promotion should be based off stuff you can control and deployment is not one of them. I didn't deployment until I was a SSG, but it was not from lack of trying. However I know SPC with 3 deployments. So even though this new system does not affect me personally I'm glad to see the change.

No, it shouldn't count because what does a deployment have to be with being a leader? Promotion should be based off stuff you can control and deployment is not one of them. I didn't deployment until I was a SSG, but it was not from lack of trying. However I know SPC with 3 deployments. So even though this new system does not affect me personally I'm glad to see the change.

No, it shouldn't count because what does a deployment have to be with being a leader? Promotion should be based off stuff you can control and deployment is not one of them. I didn't deployment until I was a SSG, but it was not from lack of trying. However I know SPC with 3 deployments. So even though this new system does not affect me personally I'm glad to see the change.

No, it shouldn't count because what does a deployment have to be with being a leader? Promotion should be based off stuff you can control and deployment is not one of them. I didn't deployment until I was a SSG, but it was not from lack of trying. However I know SPC with 3 deployments. So even though this new system does not affect me personally I'm glad to see the change.

No, it shouldn't count because what does a deployment have to be with being a leader? Promotion should be based off stuff you can control and deployment is not one of them. I didn't deployment until I was a SSG, but it was not from lack of trying. However I know SPC with 3 deployments. So even though this new system does not affect me personally I'm glad to see the change.

No, it shouldn't count because what does a deployment have to be with being a leader? Promotion should be based off stuff you can control and deployment is not one of them. I didn't deployment until I was a SSG, but it was not from lack of trying. However I know SPC with 3 deployments. So even though this new system does not affect me personally I'm glad to see the change.

They are changing it because we are supposed to "be at peace" now and many Soldiers would not have a chance to earn points for combat. I am all for the points going toward things Soldiers can control such as education and APFT. Let the motivated Soldiers earn as many points as they can.

I don't believe that anyone should have ever gotten points for just being deployed. That sends a bad message, people who worked in an office on a huge fob for 8 hrs a day and then hit the gym and played their xbox get points for that? We all know more than 1 shitbag that's been deployed a few times. No, that was a bad call. NCOES....again, not jecessary to give points for them. You have to graduate course x to be promoted to rank z, that is the same accross the board...so why give points which are arbitrary when anyone going for that promotion has those same points...it's a wash and being tracked for nothing. Personally though, I don't believe that college or other outside education should count towards anything for enlisted personnel. As an enlisted man your military education is all that should be looked at...and even then only of it directly relates to your MOS. PT and marksmanship I don't necessarily agree with either....but this is a huge organization and there are only so many things we can standardize and then measure...

Maybe it's something having to do with this new Garrison Army we've been transitioning to for the past couple of years. I don't agree with it but hell I'm only an E-5

Chances are this will change again when the next conflict kicks off...

I'm a little torn here. For one I don't agree with combat tours not counting for points for those that have deployed multiple times. On the other hand I don't think that NCOES should count for points for the issue that depending on your MOS you might be waiting years for ALC to get you enough points to get to SSG.

Damned if you comment, damned if you don't.
Feeds into the concept of kinder and gentler Army I suppose. While I believe education is a pillar of good leadership, experience, combat or otherwise is the foundation. We train for war, why not reward those have experienced it, from POGs to Grunts. The experience gained down range cannot be 100% replicated in education or training. Failing to include combat tours in promotion consideration would destroying the warrior foundation we strive so diligently to build.

I think it evens the playing field because not everyone is in a position to deploy even when they want to. Focusing on civilian education, PME, weapons, awards, APFT, and correspondent courses is the way ahead and is fair for all. No more excuses!

I think it's a good change especially since the war has simmered down. Now those that won't have the opportunity to get combat experience can have a chance to get the points elsewhere. Plus I don't think that going to combat necessarily means that you're ready for leadership.

Let me ask a stupid question. If the draft was re enacted, would all of this college study to get point promotions go out the widow? I mean, would the draftees have to qualify in education before qualifying for NCO? That seems bass ackward to me. I don't think it's fair at all that a combat experienced NCO should be overlooked for a promotion because they haven't completed the college courses, because they were deployed to a combat, boots on the ground, deployment. Doesn't make sense to me. But, what do I know about today's modern Army? Nothing, but I can still see its bullshit for some and horseshit for others.

I was made an NCO due to a vacancy that needed to be filled when I was in Vietnam. In today's Army, would that have been taken away after I got back due to passing / failing some tests?

I think we should move back to the spec5-7 system. Good lab techs and other technical workers that usually pulled rear D were punished for not deploying when their job didn't really demand it. The move to remove WLC is kind of agreeable. In becoming a SGT, the appropriate SSD and NCOES is vare bare minimum. People shouldn't get points for doing the bare minimum. Now you have to make it really count by getting honor grad, etc or it doesn't count at all.

http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/05/army-determined-to-eliminate-all-operational-memory-of-war-on-terror/

It seems like the Duffel Blog gets it right again.

As good as civilian education is, and I am for it.. but in many enlisted jobs it will be only a promotion booster - which mean that people will flock to easy education that will get them most bang for the buck (or time). This waters the idea of actual education down.

And no points for combat? Where are this Army going? I need to get out fast!

How exactly do you quantify combat performance? And how would you rate someone who performed poorly over someone who did exemplary?