Posted on Aug 28, 2015
SPC Dakoda Mckinneypotter
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I have been in my primary zone for awhile now and desperately want to go to the board my COC wants to send me also but my SGT.MAJ has made pre Ranger or ranger school a requirement for promotions to E-5 in his battalion. Due to the medication that I'm on I am ineligible for ranger school and must be off my medication for one year before I would be elligable. This is making my career progression come to a grinding halt. How can I approach this without making the head shed upset or personally tanking any thoughts of promotion in the future?
Posted in these groups: Promotion board logo Promotion BoardArmysgt SGTTh %282%29 Ranger School
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Responses: 42
SFC Retention Operations Nco
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For starters, your CSM can't make that a policy. It's invalid, and just short of illegal. In fact, JAG would destroy that if it was actually in a policy letter. The thought is, "Army sets the standard for what is required for promotion, not a unit CSM." So, what you have is a very valid IG complaint that needs to happen. There's some dirty pool going on.

Secondly, I highly encourage you to go to Ranger School. Like the RTB medic stated, there's no requirement you be off a certain drug for a year, you just have to possess an up to date physical. Does your medication require you to be off it a year to pass a Ranger School physical?
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1SG Aircraft Maintenance Senior Sergeant
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>1 y
IG all day long. Your CDR should be stepping into the BN CDRs office as well to address your situation or your 1SG talking to the CSM. Promotion is Dept of the Army covered by Army Regulations and no where in that Regulation does it state that BS requirement. You have to be recommended by your COC to go to the promotion board and if they don't, you HAVE TO BE COUNSELED on why you were not selected and if that BS reason is on your counseling run it up to IG.
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SGT Airborne Ranger
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
what's another year in a E5 slot holding you back from... Simply Duties. It's better to get promoted late than early, especially in the infantry. Go to Ranger school, get your tab, and then become a sergeant.
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CSM Carlson C.
CSM Carlson C.
9 y
I understand what you are saying SGT Rivet, however, there should be only one standard, not multiple. This is a situation of creating an unfair, almost illegal environment. Now, I can understand that the CSM wants the best well trained SGT's. Unfortunately, we are standing in a situation where an impromptu standard has been created that doesn't hold water for the rest of the Army.

IG all the way.

"Write checks your shoulder boards can cash"
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SSG(P) Floor Nco
SSG(P) (Join to see)
9 y
Exactly!
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CSM Michael Chavaree
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I am the Senior Medic at the ARTB, there is no requirement to "be off a drug for a year", have your PCM email me at [login to see] , I will let you know if you are good to go. Its only a 61 day course, just do it and thank your CSM when you graduate.
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LTC Yinon Weiss
LTC Yinon Weiss
>1 y
Thanks for your outstanding support!
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SFC Senior Financial Manager
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>1 y
If a Soldier is trying to get promoted,no leader should be trying to hinder that by making additional requirements just because they can. Being ranger qualified is not a prerequisite unless you are trying to compete to be one. I think you should use your open door policy or ask to go to another battalion or brigade that reconmends Soldiers according to the regulation.
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1SG Senior Enlisted Advisor
1SG (Join to see)
>1 y
Someone needs an education on what taking care of Soldiers is about. There can not be any additional requirements for eligibility above what is stated in the Regulation AR 600-8-19. Ridiculous that a CSM would do this and get away with it. Get IG involved if this is actually going on.
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SGM Erik Marquez
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Sounds like it is time for a open door policy request for your CSM.

Ask your 1SG to make the request and ask him to be three with you so there is no he said she said or stoppage in the discussion where the CSM needs to "talk with " or confirm with the company COC.

Be ready to answer why you feel you are ready for the promotion and how you will accomplish the leadership duties as a squad or team leader without the exaperance of the army's premier leadership school.
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SSG Squad Leader
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I would also say don't go direct with the 1SG start with your team leader/squad leader use all of your NCOs. Be that soldier that your NCOs want to promote.
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SGM Command Sergeant MajorAD
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>1 y
The Army doesn't recognize locally imposed requirements for advancement. If true this is illegal
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SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA
SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA
>1 y
SGM Steve Wettstein - If the CSM fails this soldier just for going to IG and having his arm twisted, then the SM has a clear case of retaliation and that CSM is really fried.

Wrong is wrong. NOT doing the right thing (going to IG and outting this CSM) is wrong.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
>1 y
SGM (Join to see) -
Recommending someone for a promotion board is both objective tangible data and subjective opinion

While a SM might meet the objective based requirements to be eligible they must still be recommended to appear and part of that is the subjective observations by the chain or command and NCO support channel.

If in that leaders subjective opinion a young SM in a infantry unit deoes not possess the requisite leadership qualities required for consideration of a promotion board he need not recommend them

While I personally would not mandate Ranger school to be eligible I certainly would mandate that they demonstrate potential if not actual leadership capability some would say that capability is clearly demonstrated after the completion of Ranger school

The only mistake a senior leader might make is to say it out loud you must pass Ranger school he could make this exact same call using his subjective opinion and still not allow the soldier to present before the board

Not even remotely illegal perhaps not great leadership but that's a different issue
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