How does getting promoted to SGT work in the Reserves?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 22:40:38 -0400

I'm starting BLC on Tuesday. I've completed SSD-1 and I have a passing APFT. Do I still need a specific amount of promotion points? I meat the promotion points for 12B on Active Duty, but I'm not sure if there's a reserve requirement. I want to get promoted. My promotion packet is being reviewed by my BN promotion board this month. Any help is appreciated.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2019 10:43 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 22:43:40 -0400

The reserve side is different. Your points are still computed and weighed against vacancies, but it’s more about the mileage you are willing to drive to drill. The number of MOSs that you hold will also help because you can compete in each position.

The main thing is setting your mileage radius. When I went up, I put down 250mi. Just recognize that you’ll have to be at that unit for at least a year to keep your rank.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2019 10:51 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 22:51:18 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2019 12:13 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 00:13:00 -0400

Points count but they don't count. The points put you on the Order of Merit List who will be that gets promoted next in the Reserves. It's mainly going to be about your MOS and your willingness to travel for said promotion. I see that you said you put 450 miles on your Distance Sheet. If there is a unit that has an open 12B SGT slot within said 450 miles, then you will promote into that unit and you are on the hook to stay in that unit for one year in order to pretty much keep the new rank. If no slot is open within that distance, then you won't promote until one does. So, if there are no Engineer units within 450 miles of you, you will need to increase that distance.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jun 2 at 2019 12:58 AM

SFC William Farrell — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 00:58:39 -0400

Good luck SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member. Ive been out way to long to offer any help but wish you all the best in your promotion. Sounds like you are doing the right things.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2019 1:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 01:44:49 -0400

NCOs are required to provide accurate feedback and critique to soldiers. As such, they much must be able to receive feedback and critique.

Respectfully, if you’re, “...not sure if there's a reserve requirement”, you might not be prepared for promotion. I’d ask, ‘why should the Army promote a soldier to higher rank if he/she doesn’t even know the basic requirements for attaining that rank?’. That would then beg the question, ‘if he/she doesn’t know the basic requirements for the desired higher rank, what else doesn’t he/she know about being that higher rank?’

Army Regulation 600–8–19, ch 3 might be applicable. Memorizing regulations isn’t necessary, but knowing how to find relevant regulations is. Honestly, “How does getting promoted to SGT work in the Reserves?” isn’t best question for a soldier in the Reserves to be asking; particularly a soldier who thinks he’s ready to be a Sergeant.

Best of luck.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 2 at 2019 3:27 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 03:27:55 -0400

My friend SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member sorry i can't provide any useful information.
I certainly hope you will be promoted to Sergeant.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jun 2 at 2019 4:20 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 16:20:56 -0400

Just relax...the board will let you know.. all depends if your unit is under strength or over strength.... Plus the army reserve still needs to keep good soldiers in, and promotion is one way they do it.... the one sergeant below did give good advice ...learn the US codes laws.army and the VA regulations ...they're up for anybody to read. Then when you're Admin is lying.... you'll know it....

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jun 3 at 2019 12:49 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 00:49:16 -0400

I've been out a while so things have probably changed. Basically, Reserve promotions are driven by vacancies. No vacancy in your MOS - no promotion. Its that simple. If there is a vacancy they go to the current promotion list for that MOS and see who is at the top of the list. If they are currently eligible for promotion - they get the promotion. If not - they go to the next soldier on the list. The "trick" is to get as many points in as many areas as possible - PT, marksmanship, leadership (primarily determined by your NCOERs), NCOES, Civilian education etc. Basically, they want you to be a "well rounded" NCO.
The biggest things to getting promoted are 1. pass PT and 2. don't give up. If you work hard and wait - you will move up. Some move up fast and some, like myself, not so fast. Hang in there and you will succeed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2019 4:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 16:34:23 -0400

Each state is different but there should be a decentralized promotion board conducted annually which the promotion list is generated from. Bottom line if your not on it you won't get promoted until the new one publishes, you can check with your unit FTUS to see where you stand. If listed, promotions are done based on the highly ranked SM that elected to be considered for the position and the process in automated. Lastly, if your unit has no E5 vacancies you can't get promoted there and it will be in a unit that does