Chasing points is the worst thing the army came up with

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 00:44:16 -0400

Dnt you just hate when you wait a whole month for points to come out and then find out you missed cut off by 5 points

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jun 26 at 2015 12:49 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 00:49:33 -0400

I'd like to see the Army adopt something like the Air Force and Navy have with routine re-qualifications and tests on MOS skills...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 12:56 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 00:56:20 -0400

CPL, I know how that is. I chased SSG points for 9 months and I consistently missed by only a few points that never seemed to be updated by my S1. I totally understand the frustration. Just keep your head up and keep demonstrating your ability to do the job. A NonCommissioned Officer's potential is only limited by his/her work ethic and, tenacity, and ability to perform, not their rank.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 26 at 2015 6:34 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 06:34:02 -0400

I can feel your pain. I was a Cpl for 34 months. It hit the point where the Company Gunny said "Damn Cpl K, when you picking up Sgt?"

But keep in mind how the point system works from a "functional" level.

It's essentially "statistical information" which ranks you against your peers. At the end of the period they determine how many X they need, count down the list that many, and announce the score of the person at that point on the list. So if they need 10 Sgts, they rank all the Sgts and go down to #10 look at his points, and that is the cutoff score (if there is a tie, all those below get it as well, which can cause block ups later).

On the USMC side 5 points would be 1 month TIS/TIG, which basically means no change in list status.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 26 at 2015 7:45 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 07:45:41 -0400

The Army didn't come up with 'chasing points'...the Army provides an opportunity for each qualified Soldiers to earn a promotion based on current needs.

What have YOU done to earn those extra 5 points?
- Did you earn a 300 on your last APFT?
- Did you fire 40 out of 40 on the range?
- How man college classes have you completed? With one point per semester hour, completing two classes would have been 6 to 8 points.
- Have you maximized your military education?
- Have you volunteered your time and earned the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM)? That's 10 points by itself.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jun 26 at 2015 8:04 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 08:04:40 -0400

I waited for 6 years as a SGT(P) for points and watched mine climb slowly, then I changed my view of the situation. The Army gave me a checklist (The Point System), so i set a goal of completing everything on the list and busted my but on doing so. I am not against the system but i feel a skills test like MAJ Bryan Zeski referenced would provide much needed added value.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Jun 26 at 2015 9:03 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 09:03:03 -0400

You ain't kidding CPL Private RallyPoint Member. They only promoted 5 91D's in the whole Army for July. That is crazy!

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 26 at 2015 1:32 PM

1LT William Clardy — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 13:32:35 -0400

CPL Private RallyPoint Member, I wouldn't have minded that so much.

Try having the highest point total in the battalion, but getting on the list 2 months after they raised the E-6 cut-off to 998 and all you can do is watch your TIS and TIG points tick up month by month.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 26 at 2015 5:58 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 17:58:07 -0400

It is the nature of the system, but those five points can be earned.