ERBs, ORBs, and You: Is Yours Accurate?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:22:49 -0500

First off I want to thank everyone in advance for your input on something I've noticed since becoming a Human Resource Specialist.

My first duty station placed me with a Company that was 3 hours from my Battalion where I was their lone HR personnel and was placed in charge of their PAC office with very limited oversight from my S-1 along with no direct supervisor outside of the Company 1SG. As a result I was forced to live on the HRC website, milsuite, or APD to get my tasks done on a day to day basis.

What I began to notice as time went on was that nearly every ERB or ORB that was brought to me was missing odd pieces of information or awards. Some of these issues appear to be systemic of how MEPS and IET handles the entry of data results in missing entries such as Country of Citizenship or the NDSM and ASR.

However it became apparent that a large percentage of the Soldiers who fell within the UICs I could assist were missing service stars for phases in the Iraq & Afghanistan campaigns, OSRs for 11+ cumulative months within a 24 month period in a TDY/TCS status, NCO Professional Development Ribbons for each level they had completed or one at all having completed WLC, and several other fairly common errors.

The number of absent awards is so widespread that at two different stations I've had several 1SGs ask what exactly I had put on their units ERBs when I applied MQBs into their award columns for their most recent M4 and M9 ranges.

I've also ran into some ERBs/ORBs that have contained outdated or incorrect medals and ribbons. Several Soldiers had ADSMs, a medal for service between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941. Maybe I was wrong, perhaps they were just incredibly spry patriots who had through guile and ingenuity managed to re-enlist using their great-grandson's birth certificate and SSN.

The wide spread nature of these issues has left me to wonder where the problem begins and what can be done to correct it. Is it a lack of training for team leaders who should be reviewing these documents or is the lack of knowledge linked more with HR Personnel who are not noticing these issues and pro-actively addressing them? Would some sort of 'Sergeant Time Training' arranged by S-1 to educate team leaders on these areas that they can catch during monthly counselings be of any assistance?

I am open to thoughts or ideas that can assist me in helping others maintain an accurate OMPF and record brief, whether they decide to remain in the military or not.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 12:12 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:12:49 -0500

The problem begins and ends, at least for enlisted, at the first NCO in a joes chain of command. It is their responsibility to ensure that their soldiers are squared away, and that means not just professionally but administratively as well. It's their job and their duty to understand how an ERB works, and if they have any questions then they should be smart enough to consult the subject matter experts which is their S1 shop.

After that, it's a beautiful cycle. NCOs teach joes how to ensure their paperwork is accurate and up to date, and then when those joes become NCOs they in turn teach the same skills to their soldiers.

Some administrative mistakes are S1s fault, but it's a soldiers responsibility to stay on top of their records and catch these mistakes as they happen so they can be rectified. As the old saying goes, nobody care more about your career than you do.

Response by SGM Gregory Tarancon IV made Jan 19 at 2015 10:41 AM

SGM Gregory Tarancon IV — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:41:56 -0500

I can't remember the last time my ERB was accurate. Currently, my ERB is missing end of tour award from last deployment and USASMA. The admin section at my unit is working to update. I fully agree that no one cares more about your career or what is in your records that the individual.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jan 19 at 2015 11:36 AM

CSM David Heidke — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 11:36:19 -0500

We have been using 2-1's for the past umpteen million years, so mine is new. There is a lot that isn't accurate.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 1:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 13:06:01 -0500

I say yes with caution as it seems as though you have to constantly look at the ERB to ensure there was not some kind of computer gig or S-1 clerk playing around and just punching without regard to the actual record.

First I want to say that you SPC Private RallyPoint Member are the exception. Your Unit and Soldiers are very lucky to have you. You are a True credit to the Military.

Many of the people within your own M.O.S. do not know many things as I am a unique case with continuous duty from Active to Guard to Active. I had a heck of a time getting mine correct and it took a bunch of work on my part for sure. Of course I did not have an issue with this as I know that computers have not always been around.

It does maze me how many people have no clue about the things which go on the ERB; such as the MQB in the Awards section VIII as you mentioned. The Technical Certification which many have no clue what they can obtain and how little effort it takes.

I have been trying to put together classes on reading the sections of the ERB and ensuring that they are correct. How to look at the re-enlistment Eligibility / Prohibition codes.

All I can do is hope that they listen to me and fix their own records as I cannot do it for them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 1:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 13:40:41 -0500

I would have to say it falls heavily on the SM. If they dont stay on top of their own records then its bound to not be accurate. I can say that my S-1 shop are fairly good with keeping up-to-date on the ERB's but you have to keep up with it as well. If i ever found anything wrong with mine i supply the supporting documents to up date it. As far as my OMPF file its all sorts of a mess with stuff missing.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Jan 19 at 2015 1:50 PM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 13:50:28 -0500

I believe it is an individual responsibility to keep records up-to-date. It is certainly easier the more one progresses through the ranks. But, it is also more important as one progresses. It sounds like you are very proactive and service oriented--keep doing what you are doing!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 2:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 14:13:52 -0500

I review mine at least once every quarter, my P status has fallen off due to PT tests not being added correctly

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 2:15 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 14:15:23 -0500

You are your best career manager!