Finally made cut off.

Congratulations Sergeant.  I ask that you do not worry about those with lesser points being brought into the Corps of the Non Commissioned Officer with you.  Your hard work and dedication will help you when it is time for consideration for promotion to Staff Sergeant, you have already demonstrated the desire for continued service by earning the points you've earned.  Now you are about to embark on a different journey for the remainder of your career.

You are now looked at harder to be the standard bearer, the example setter and the professional.  The Creed of the NCO is your rule and guide for how you conduct business.  You will be given the NCO Charge, understand it, live it.  You have to have the professionalism to separate yourself from peers as a Specialist, you have to be able to lead and guide them, and counsel them!  I encourage you to ensure you are involved in the lives of your Soldiers and their families, do not take for granted that they are ok, make sure you always inspect what you expect.  Talk with your Soldiers, not to them, continue to challenge and build your team and you enjoy your leadership time.

Once again, congratulations Sergeant.  Hooah!

Congress/Army says "We can have xx # of NCOs of each type of rank."  Army then looks across the board and first asks "Do we have that many of each rank and MOS?"  If the answer is "no" then they say "We need xx more NCOs of this rank and this MOS."  Once that # is determined then they go to the list of the next lower rank and pick that many NCOs off the list. 

For example, the Army says "We only have 10 11B20s and we need 12."  So they go to the list of E-4s and pick the top 2 11B10s.  At least this is the way it is supposed to work.  How it actually is getting executed may be different or even wrong, but that's where Officers and Sr NCOs should be monitoring and improving the system.