How best to prepare for promotion board and E5?

2021-04-01T19:21:55-04:00

I am about to make my E4 next month and my NCO chain is highly encouraging me to go to the board in Fall of this year.

If I pass the board they said it's possible I could attend BLC next year and make my E5.

What should I consider and study to prepare? Is there anything you find that helped you or your troops with the board?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2021 7:44 PM

2021-04-01T19:44:03-04:00

Go to your CoC or S-1 and get an MOI.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2021 7:45 PM

2021-04-01T19:45:53-04:00

Knowledge is important but military bearing and presence are more important. For your board appearance practice saying your bio out loud before you go to the board. Practice saying your creeds out loud. Practice projecting your voice. You actually have to practice these things before you go into the board, it won't work trying to remember to do these things while you're in the board

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 2 at 2021 9:09 AM

2021-04-02T09:09:46-04:00

First, begin by referring to ranks, not pay grades. Very few 1SGs look favorably on Soldiers who refer to achieving a pay grade - it tells them they are only in this for the money. I know it sounds nit-picky, but trust me, a LOT of 1SGs like to find that particular nit.

Next, ask your CoC about going to Soldier of the Month boards. They are GREAT practice for NCO boards. The questions SHOULD be a little bit different (focused on Soldier skills, as compared to leader skills), but most units are too lazy and use the same question sets. Either way, it is great practice AND it gets you known. If you win Soldier of the month (or even win it a couple times) you make a name for yourself that will help you out in the future. Even if you don't win, if you go to the SoM board four or five times, those leaders will learn who you are.

As SSG Private RallyPoint Member said, get an upt-to-date MOI for the board. It will tell you all of the topics being asked about. Those are the things to focus on studying. There are MANY board guides out there, broken down by topic. That is a good start. But even better is getting nose in manual and actually READING the regs or manuals that are applicable. For things like "Army programs" go to the web and look at what is available to guard Soldiers in your area.

The ultimate goal is that those 1SGs want to know that you have the knowledge necessary to help Soldiers out, and the willingness to do so. Even out-of-the-box solutions can work - especially for guard Soldiers. Maybe you don't have an Army Community Services building handy like us AD folks do - but you have a State military resource liaison who links Soldiers up with local non-profits for a variety of causes. That certainly wouldn't be under an "Army program" but if it is a resource you can tap in to to help your Soldier - why not toss that out there? If you have a Soldier who is out of shape, maybe you don't have a full gym at your armory, but you have a membership at Planet Fitness that allows you to bring a buddy. Most 1SGs I know would be impressed with your resourcefulness rather than mark you down because it isn't an "Army" program.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2021 1:35 PM

2021-04-02T13:35:20-04:00

The thing that helped me the most was mock boards. Ask your NCOs to hold some for you. In Korea it was required at the time to go to the Soldier of the Month board prior to going to the promotion board. It took less stress off “failing” and it gave me practice and more confidence for the promotion board. The base sometimes holds mass mocks boards to prepare them as well.