How can I set myself apart from other lower enlisted to make SGT?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:26:08 -0400

What online JKO/ AKO/ ALMS certifications are needed for promotion points and to make E-5?
What other things can I accomplish to set myself apart from my peers?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 1:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:37:11 -0400

Do extra courses that benefit you and the unit. Do extra work that benefits you and the unit. Volunteer for additional duties that provide responsibility, leadership opportunities, etc.. Score higher in PT and Weapons qual.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 1:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:40:29 -0400

Weapons, PT and College will be your best friend! Those 3 categories hold so much weight in regards to not only promotion points for SGT and SSG, but also career progression into the senior ranks.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 1:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:46:31 -0400

Work hard volunteer for everything spend time on ADOS orders you will learn a lot.

Take charge of your career as a soldier be the person who can be trusted and works hard. Their may be times you are working hard while others may be playing.

Learn everyone's job and how they do their job. Work hard and improve your soldier skills learn PRT and D&C along with writing in APA format for BLC when you hit E4 keep being persistent for BLC.

Lastly be super flexible when schools take them. Learn GCSS Army it will significantly assist you. Also Army Carrer tracker it will help you set goals and allow for your first line to track your progress.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 28 at 2020 2:19 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:19:07 -0400

Understand, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.

Sure, you can shorten the time somewhat with military courses and schools (civilian college helps too) and things you can volunteer for, but the real key is to do day in, and day out, what is expected from you. It aint sexy and it doesn't give immediate results, but it works in the long run.

You can shorten the time, but there's only so much you can do to make your journey to NCO faster, so don't focus as much on "get rank quick" schemes; keep up with your PT, score well with your assigned weapon, learn what you can learn, keep your ass out of trouble, and continue to be the example(!) of what right looks like! Do that--and show you are motivated--and you will get there, and then some if you really want.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 2:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:24:55 -0400

Apft/acft, weapons quall, don’t fail Ht/wt/tape, Jko classes that are worth promotion points, college classes (need at least 60 credit hours to get points), and go on at least one mobilization or two temporary duty assignments. Also try to get some awards, like an AAM or the volunteer service award.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 2:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:29:27 -0400

*junior enlisted

Sorry, it’s a pet peeve.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 2:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:30:09 -0400

Along with what everybody has stated, remember that you can rise above the rest with all of that but if you have a poor attitude and lack professionalism, then it will not matter. Just ensure you are also keeping a positive attitude as well.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 2:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:33:03 -0400

Well............. look at the promotion packet check list, and look to see how points are allocated. Those things directly in your control are education points, fitness points, and marksmanship points. Now, additionally points are allocated toward awards and certificate of accomplishment. Those have a better chance of being earned while on missions, ADOS, and deployments. Even AT exercises might see some awards.

Technically, all that matters is not being flagged, having current passing fitness and weapon scores and completing BLC, and finally getting your commander to approve your packet. That is what gets your packet in front of the eyes of the approvers.

Lots of recommendations that you step up and volunteer for things, but if they don't translate into documentation (awards) that results in points on your packet then all you are doing is greasing the wheels for your commander to sign your packet (which is probably a forgone conclusion that your commander will sign off on all non-dirt bag packets anyway).

************
BTW

Those education and award points will carry forward onto your E6 packet.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Jul 28 at 2020 2:40 PM

CSM Michael Chavaree — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:40:10 -0400

Ranger School

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 3:24 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 15:24:42 -0400

Drink plenty of water, always wear your reflective belt, keep your hands out of your pockets and whatever you do...stay off the SGM's damned grass.....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 4:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 16:18:09 -0400

It all comes down to results... if you are professional and on time; everything else is results. Let your career results speak so loudly they notice you before all others. Best PT, weapons qual, attitude... it all matters. You also need to be humble and patient, as promotions in the Army are the long game, sprinting will only make you tired and angry.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2020 7:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 19:38:42 -0400

On JKO if it doesn't say DL Points that it wont count for correspondence hours. All of skill port has giving me hours for points. Search Netcom on skill port and those are the ones I did for points. Each Cert like Sec+, Net+, A+, ect. gives you 10 points up to 5 technical certs. If you maxed civilian education than going to the actual army sec plus class gives you 10 points. This is located under resident hours and is separate from correspondence points. Good Luck PFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jul 29 at 2020 2:07 PM

SSG John Jensen — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 14:07:26 -0400

a bit on the esoteric side - pick things that aren't your MOS - and hang out with those guys -maintenance , commo, etc. - learn some of the tricks of their trades - all about expanding your knowledge.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2020 1:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 01:52:27 -0400

To be honest. I hated doing that. Competing against your fellow soldier is the worst thing you can do. Instead focus on yourself. Work on your PT, your weapon qualification. Ask your NCO for more responsibility. For instance one of my first job was managing the Supply Cabinet. It was small but I went out of my way to organize completely, including getting supplies from the supply sergeant to add to the cabinet. Making sure that we stocked up on everything. Then I took it upon myself to clean the SCIF every day that we worked in, even though I wasn't asked to do it. Trust me your chain of command will notice it.