Does anybody here have any tips, advice, or preparation information for a quartely awards board?

2017-03-20T11:46:28-04:00

I have been selected by my leadership to put me in for a quarterly award. I have been informed I will go in front of a board to be evaluated. Any tips/ advice/ preparation for that portion? #USAF

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 20 at 2017 12:18 PM

2017-03-20T12:18:02-04:00

First off, congrats.

While I did not serve in the Air Force, I think most boards are the same between the branches. I'll provide you with words that were given to me as I prepared for my first promotion board. First, get plenty of sleep the night before. Wake up, eat a good breakfast. Be ready and confident. Remember, those that sit on the board put their pants on one leg at a time like you do. Lastly, breath and don't lock your knees. Everyone there has been exactly where you are about to be.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Mar 20 at 2017 12:59 PM

2017-03-20T12:59:34-04:00

If you're asking for advice, I'm guessing this is your first board. So the biggest thing is just relax. Don't stress out over it. If you "fail" your first board, just use it as experience for the next board.

So don't stress out is the biggest piece of advice.

Uniforms... make sure they are ALL ready to go and looking nice. I don't know about you, but when I was in, I had my regular duty uniforms, and a set of uniforms set aside for inspections. I know people that haven't worn their uniforms since boot camp, so they don't even fit. Others that don't have proper rank, etc. But then the board comes out and people are rushing to the tailors to get their stuff fixed. Make sure your uniforms are good.

Knowledge... I'm sure you learned stuff in boot camp. That stuff doesn't go away. Random trivia. Famous battles. Well known members of your branch. Whatever you can reabsorb, do so. But like I said, don't stress out, because you don't know what they're going to ask you. Also familiarize yourself with the chain of command. I've known a couple guys who didn't even know who their CO was... despite him walking into our office every morning. Uniform regulations... if you're a male, expect to get at least one question about female uniforms and vice versa... females can expect one question about male uniforms. Most board members like to throw this trick question in because most service members typically only focus on their uniform and not the uniforms of others.

Last piece of advice I can give you is to have some bearing. I've seen people sweating bullets walking into a board. Stay Calm, Cool, and Collected. If you answer a question wrong, who cares. Stick to your answer and get some points for military bearing at least.

Response by PO1 Martin Findley made Mar 20 at 2017 1:33 PM

2017-03-20T13:33:18-04:00

If it's anything like the Navy ones, you have to be "politically correct" in all your answers. Talk about yourself like you at bragging on a co-worker, not yourself.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2017 6:14 PM

2017-03-20T18:14:57-04:00

Congrats A1C Cody Gunton: Having served on many boards, here's my two cents worth. I've attached an example of a program outline from a random base. Recommend you look up yours. Hopefully, your supervisor used the instruction for guidance when writing your package. This is important because a big percentage of your score will come from the AF Form 1206. As many have said, uniform, bearing, and communication skills are important. You can expect questions ranging from USAF history, regulations and current events; however, questions may vary at your base. Try and find the Airman who went up for the previous qtr nomination and ask them, but understand that each board is unique and questions will vary. Usually, each board member is given a broad category from which to create a question. I would recommend you brush up on USAF history, regs., etc. Make sure to keep track of current events leading up to the board. When answering a question from a board member, look them in the eye, address them by their rank /name and answer the question. It's useful to repeat the question back to the board member when answering. This tells them that you understand the question and also gives you more time to formulate your response. Typically, the first question asked is for you to tell them a little about yourself or why you think you deserve to be selected. Remember they are judging you based on your accomplishment over a specific period of time. Get a copy of the AF FM 1206 your supervisor submitted...use that as a guide and highlight significant achievements. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't BS, simply state you don't know; however, there can be open-ended questions and you should attempt to answer them the best you can. Be proud and confident...just being selected is an honor.

http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/2af/publication/2afi36-2801/2afi36-2801.pdf

2afi36-2801.pdf

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2017 1:52 PM

2017-03-21T13:52:09-04:00

Here is one that is often overlooked, at least at Army boards. You are almost always going to hear: "Tell the board a little bit about yourself". Many Soldiers don't give this enough thought. "It's my life, I know it, I don't need to practice it." WRONG. Write out your bio, make sure it is concise and says what you want to say. Then MEMORIZE and REHEARSE what you wrote. This does two key things: 1. It keeps their interest and prevents you from meandering verbally (kills the "Uh") and 2. Makes you sound confident, and because it comes before questions you don't know the answer to, it MAKES you more confident. If they make you march and do facing movements, swing your arms (not kidding, people get wound too tight and forget) get a fresh haircut, doesn't have to be more military than you normally get, don't get a high and tight just to impress, but it should be new for the board so all the lines and tapers are crisp. Do NOT sit down with your dress uniform jacket on until the board. Keep it on a hanger. I have seen people drive to their board wearing their jacket, makes ugly creases in the back. If there is a study guide, little bits at regular intervals is better than a huge cram right before. Good luck.