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

Boy do we have short term memory. Just a few years ago you didn't get points for deployments. You got them for the board, PT, Civ ED, Mil ED, and marksmanship. This was just in 2010, in 5 years you can't tell me people don't remember this? If you want to get promoted I guess you better start hitting the books.

This is stupid. This is nonsense. WE are a military at war. So tell me how speaking Spanish and going to college helps you lead a squad.

The army is starting the transition back to the professional force. They want to see people actually perusing as opposed to receive credit. For the most part deployments and NCOES aren't things we volunteer for, we just kind of get told to do it. College education and special schools show the desire for promotion. "It is what it is".

Personally I think combat should still provide points because that does show that you can't maintain calm and still provide leadership, I've always looked up and respected leaders who have deployed because they have that experience that has made them better at what they do.

Here is what I am looking at. We are transitioning from an Army at War to an Army at Peace preparing for War. Yes we are still deploying troops to Afghanistan and Inherent Resolve, however in all reality, we are not that OIF Army. Therefore, the Army is actually putting more emphasis on what is going to be important to our troops when they LEAVE the Army. It makes sense. While I do not totally agree with them not giving ANY points to those that deploy, where is the line going to be drawn? Those troops that wen to Afghanistan? My roommate here at ARC was one of the first group of troops in Iraq for Inherent Resolve setting up communications in those COPs and FOBs. They were literally fighting ISIS so they should get credit too right? Ok so give them credit, what about those that are sitting on the border of Kuwait waiting to go North if the need be? They should get credit correct? What about the troops that go on rotations such as the Pacific Pathways? They deploy for months at a time so they should get credit as well?
It is not that I am trying to make a case for or against the points for Combat Experience. What I AM making a case for is making the Civilian Education MORE important, because THIS is what is going to count in the end. When the Soldier leaves the military service either in 4 years or 20 they NEED that education. They NEED that Bachelors degree. One of the classes that they were giving today was from a retired CSM and he told us of one of his fellow SGMs that was leaving the service, who was in charge of either a Brigade or Division, yet when he went to get a job with someone offering 6 figures a year they at the last minute pulled the offer. WHY? Because he only had an Associates Degree. It is CRITICAL that education be put on the pedestal that it deserves and if it means people losing out on promotion points because they are not taking advantage of what the military offers education wise then, they have to re-evaluate things. It is time to reshape our thinking folks, it is time to look at the new Army and the way forward.

What about awards? Any awards earned still are worth points right?

Im all for it. If you cant show initiative to improve beyond just doing the minimum, then you dont need to be promoted either.
Now before anyone blasts me, i earned 1.1. On my language qualification for Russian. Personally completed more college credits during a deployment than all other Soldiers in the battalion combined over a 15 month deployment all the while a battalion night battle nco. Busted my rear but stayed away from mwr and xbox/Playstation. Dedicated 3 off duty hours per day 4 days a week to studdies even if that meant only 3 hours of sleep.
I constantly did dime drills with my assigned weapon as well as making my soldiers do it too.
Always looking at maps and pace counting even if a gps device was in possession.
These are the things you need to do to be good. They should have implemented these rules years ago.
There are too many opportunities for Soldiers to succeed now days, they choose to play games and drink. Those ones will never be great leaders. Im sorry if that seems harsh but im not the only one that feels that way else these new rules would have never been presented much less adopted.
The best leaders i ever served with or under were always looking to improve themselves and their teams. We need that quality in these times where entitlement and minimulistic standards run amok

A deployment is important, but not for all MOS in my opinion. Take 42A for example, you think it is really necessary for them to have multiple deployments? Does that make them a better S1 Clerk, or NCO in general? They already will get an end of tour award for the deployment, if not a Combat Action badge. Just my two cents

Have we forgotten a time before they awarded promotion points for deploying?

I think there should be a bigger emphasis on civilian education.