Posted on Jul 1, 2015
Do you have any advice on going from E4 to E5?
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I'm currently a SPC trying to get my NCO's to take me seriously and put me in a team leader spot so that I can go to the P board (I guess it's some kind of requirement for this company). I'm motivated almost every day, I'm always working, and the joes listen to me and usually don't give me any lip when I inform them of a detail we need to do. Usually half way through the job, an NCO will walk up and take over and I end up getting no credit for any of the work I put into whatever we had going on. I really don't know where I stand in this company and am honestly getting tired of being overlooked. Any advice would be appreciated because I'm starting to lose faith and motivation.
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 113
Always remember from whence you came. Remember what it's like to be an E2 or an E4, and remember that every time you're promoted, no matter how high you rise. In my day, E5s and rarely ever did grunt work. But, I had an E5 who refused to sit around and drink coffee with his feet up on the desk while we lesser human beings slaved away. He got right down there with us. He didn't have to...he chose to not do what other E5s and up did. I never forgot that example he set. Guess whose work detail all the men chose to work on??? Lead by example always. You will go far that way.
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I know the feeling, as I have a SNCO(E9) told y 1st Line Supv that he was going to make sure I didnt get promoted because I have a profile. He had his favorites and it was known. Needless to say, he got QMP/QSP, which ever was and before that happened I got promoted. He failed me in the board, gave 105 when I only failed one answer. This because he kept asking to repeat my answer because he couldn't understand me because of my accent. A female SGT that was before me got a 140 and didnt even knew the NCO creed. How I beat this?
I exceed by maxing out Civilian Ed and Correspondence Courses. I also mentored other peers and even NCO's (SGT/SSG/SFC) on how to start looking at ACT, as I was looking at it since 2010-2011 when it was just a beta version rumor. I helped my supervisors enroll in college and convert their MOS to civilian education. I made as much effort to do any additional duties or classes that would count for promotion points, so there was no excuses for not sending me to the board. I was lucky to have a 1st Line Supv, PSG, OPS NCO and 1SG that really cared about soldiers and burocrat politicians looking to b-nose and like everyone.
I got to tell you that time rank back then didn't matter and people got promoted left and right just by going to boards every month and didn't even knew their MOS. Just because of the buddy-buddy thing
We had a guy that left PFC and returned SGT just by going to boards every month, didn't even let him work through the whole deployment. He got exhausted but he got it. Im not a board guy, but that might help you too.
A lot of people might vote me down and really don't care. Honest opinions are the ones people don't like to hear.
Just an advise if you want to take it: Mentor your peers. Help everyone succeed around you. Learn your job. Sign up for other duties no one wants, i.e. Bus Driver(which actually counts as primary promotion points), Building Manager, Fire Marshall(College Credits), Key Custodian, Armorer, Ammo Handler etc. All those will benefit you in the long run, plus you will have the experience and no one will be able to tell you anything because they haven't done it and you have.
Success always brother, as Good Luck is for mediocre people and keep your head up. If you need any help, send me a request and I got no problems on helping you.
I exceed by maxing out Civilian Ed and Correspondence Courses. I also mentored other peers and even NCO's (SGT/SSG/SFC) on how to start looking at ACT, as I was looking at it since 2010-2011 when it was just a beta version rumor. I helped my supervisors enroll in college and convert their MOS to civilian education. I made as much effort to do any additional duties or classes that would count for promotion points, so there was no excuses for not sending me to the board. I was lucky to have a 1st Line Supv, PSG, OPS NCO and 1SG that really cared about soldiers and burocrat politicians looking to b-nose and like everyone.
I got to tell you that time rank back then didn't matter and people got promoted left and right just by going to boards every month and didn't even knew their MOS. Just because of the buddy-buddy thing
We had a guy that left PFC and returned SGT just by going to boards every month, didn't even let him work through the whole deployment. He got exhausted but he got it. Im not a board guy, but that might help you too.
A lot of people might vote me down and really don't care. Honest opinions are the ones people don't like to hear.
Just an advise if you want to take it: Mentor your peers. Help everyone succeed around you. Learn your job. Sign up for other duties no one wants, i.e. Bus Driver(which actually counts as primary promotion points), Building Manager, Fire Marshall(College Credits), Key Custodian, Armorer, Ammo Handler etc. All those will benefit you in the long run, plus you will have the experience and no one will be able to tell you anything because they haven't done it and you have.
Success always brother, as Good Luck is for mediocre people and keep your head up. If you need any help, send me a request and I got no problems on helping you.
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I recommend you find a mentor, so you can have an idea of what some else has done to get where you want to be. I would also suggest that you to learn to be patience, because patience is a virtue and I believe everyone should exercise a little patience. I would also suggest that you learn what it means to be a Noncommission Officer and what is expected of a Sergeant (E-5) in the US Army. FINALLY, in sure that your supervisor is giving you your professional development counselings. These counseling should be personal to you and you should walk away feeling that your supervisor knows you, has been watching you, and cares about you and your development. This will allow you to know where you stand professional and how to make yourself better.
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honestly,I would be looking for another unit that has an E-5/SGT slot open and try for that. It sounds like the current unit likes and intends to keep you right where you are.Its a big jump from enlisted to NCO, and unfortunately becomes very political with a lot of in fighting/back stabbing and who knows who. Sad but true.
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This line right here "I'm currently a SPC trying to get my NCO's to take me seriously and put me in a team leader spot so that I can go to the P board (I guess it's some kind of requirement for this company)." tells me you're not ready for promotion as you apparently have no idea how the Army's promotion system to SGT works. Second thing is just because you are motivated (sometimes) and your peers listen to you doesn't mean you're ready for some stripes. If you are having a problem getting them to take you serious then maybe you should stop screwing around (Sorry but you just admitted you are doing something wrong). Also how well do you know YOUR job? How well do you know the job you want? There are many things NCO's must do that are far from their jobs, in addition to their job. There are many days where my guys absolutely hate me, then other days they will say, and I quote, "I wish there were more NCO's like you" or "I wish we could clone you". As with every Soldier (myself when I was in your boots) there is more to the story of why you are not getting promoted.
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Who is currently assigned as team leaders? What is there TIG? Looking at your profile you have less than a year TIG. Maybe they are waiting until you are eligible to apply for promotion without a waiver. It's not just a free handout game, you actually have meet requirements for TIG/TIS and have no flags against you.
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Secondary zone for promotion with at least 17 months TIS, 5 months TIG. Once you have 8 months TIG and 36 months TIS. You are in the primary zone for promotion. One you are in the primary zone your Command will have to explain on a monthly basis why you aren't appearing before the promotion board. You have every reason to be upset about not appearing before the board as long as your doing what your suppose to do. Have you received an enitial counseling? Has the proper guidelines for promotion in accordance with AR 600-8-19 been covered? Have you received your monthly counseling explaining to you by Army doctrine what you need to do to get promoted? If the answer is yes to all of the questions I asked you, don't get discouraged continue to do what your doing and get your civilian as well as military education!! And stay out of trouble!!! Your time will come. If the answer is no, your NCO Support channel and Chain of Command need to be held accountable!! Your in/out calls for your MOS don't justify you being failed or not allowing you to progress, when your doing what your supposed to do. Big Army will just raise the cutoff to 798 to try to slow promotions! Research, Research and Research some more!! The Army is changing and your NCO's failing you won't be looked upon too well by our new SGMA!! I will send you any supporting documents you need, as long as you are in the rite!! [login to see]
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Find good mentors from all backgound. Work on the
"buy in" if folks believe in what they are doing they will do it and improve on it.
Built youself up and education yourself and your peers and subs.
This is a life long process to improve and be better. All Soldiers require different leadership styles so figure out the best approach for each.
"buy in" if folks believe in what they are doing they will do it and improve on it.
Built youself up and education yourself and your peers and subs.
This is a life long process to improve and be better. All Soldiers require different leadership styles so figure out the best approach for each.
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Sorry stud, your complaining and rush to make it to be an NCO to me is an indicator that you are not ready for it yet, seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions and it will come to you!
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Number one way to get recognized... go above and beyond every day, number two volunteer for soldier of the month boards (and win) number three, never give up.... you want them to notice you, make it to where it is impossible to not be noticed... and always be willing to admit that you don't know something, the best way to learn, is by admitting that you don't know and asking for help or finding the answer
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