How does promotion to SFC work?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 13:48:54 -0500

So recently my fellow SSGs in my troop and I came to the realization that we are completely clueless regarding the next chapter in our careers which is promotion to SFC. It is my understanding the TIG requirement is 48 months as a SSG before you can become promotable and then receive a sequence number on the OML.

Would someone care to elaborate on the process?

Additionally, would someone care to give me their opinion on how competitive I may be when the time comes to be issued a sequence number? Currently I am at 10 years TIS. Will be coming up on 4 years TIG in 2 months. I have completed airborne school, jumpmaster, air assault, AF deployment, scout leaders course, in addition to other troop schools and will be going OC as my next assignment. I also have an associates degree. I always hear about how important it is to stay competitive but constantly see SFCs with little to no army schools and things of that nature.

Overall, any insight would be much appreciated.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 1:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 13:57:26 -0500

Contact one of these three gentlemen... they are very knowledgeable in Military related questions/issues.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 8 at 2022 2:25 PM

COL Randall C. — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:25:43 -0500

First and foremost I would like to say that most of this information is readily available --- Google is your friend. Having said that, I'll repost some of the low-hanging fruit from the regulations, Military.com and the Army's website and throw in a few comments myself.

Army Ranks: Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (E-7 to E-9)
Although the Army does not make the official distinction in the rank structure, enlisted ranks of sergeant first class and above (E-7 to E-9) generally are referred to as Senior NCOs, and they carry increasing levels of responsibility and demand greater levels of respect and deference.

Although there are only three pay grades, the SNCO ranks actually cover six separate ranks or designations -- sergeant first class (platoon sergeant), master sergeant, first sergeant, sergeant major, command sergeant major and sergeant major of the Army.

Unlike the promotion processes for private through staff sergeant, unit commanders have little to do with the promotion process to the SNCO ranks. These promotions are centralized completely at the Headquarters of the Department of the Army (HQDA).

There is no minimum time-in-grade (TIG) requirement for promotion to the Army SNCO ranks, but candidates must meet the following minimum time-in-service (TIS) requirements to be eligible for promotion:

Sergeant first class (E-7) -- six years.
Master sergeant/first sergeant (E-8) -- eight years.
Sergeant major (E-9) -- nine years.

Sergeant First Class (Platoon Sergeant) (E-7)
The SFC is the first level at which the term senior NCO properly applies. The platoon sergeant or sergeant first class generally has 15 to 18 years or more of military experience and is expected to bring that experience to bear in quick, accurate decisions that are in the best interest of the mission and the soldier.

Depending on experience and billet assignments, the SFC's role may be that of platoon sergeant or NCOIC (NCO in Charge) of the section.

Platoon sergeant is a duty position, not a rank. The platoon sergeant is the primary assistant and adviser to the platoon leader, with the responsibility of training and caring for soldiers. The platoon sergeant takes charge of the platoon in the absence of the platoon leader. Platoon sergeants teach collective and individual tasks to soldiers in their squads, crews or equivalent small units.

The position title of platoon sergeant is considered key in the command structure of the Army. The platoon sergeant generally has several staff sergeants who work under his direct leadership.

During the Vietnam era, the platoon sergeant was referred to affectionately as the "Plat-Daddy," and although the term has since faded, the role remains that of the "Father of the Platoon."
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Ok ... all that above is just cut & paste stuff. Here's a response I gave from another topic on this very same question (https://www.rallypoint.com/status-updates/7968168?urlhash=7968177)

There was a great article written in the NCO journal about six or seven years ago*. It didn't jump out when I looked for it, but I'll keep searching and post it if I find it. It would be slightly dated today (selection boards instead of promotion boards .. changes in points .. etc), but the core of the article still stands.

You'll have an in-person or virtual BOGSAT (Bunch of Guys/Gals Sitting Around a Table) where they all get a chance to review your file and give you a score (I THINK it's still a 1-6 score with 6 being the best). What would give you the best score ... that is the question that has been asked A LOT.

The answer is "it depends".

I've been on boards where another member fixates on the photo and the attention the Soldier gave to his ribbons. When I asked him about this, he told me, "I give so much importance to this because it's a great indication of attention to detail. If they are going to screw up a small detail that's important to them, how can we trust that they aren't going to screw up the small details that are important to others?"

I've been on others where they give a lot of credence to education (both military and civilian). Their approach was "A leader is always learning. Learning how to refine something that works to make it better or learning better ways to do something. If a leader shows me that they stopped learning, then in my opinion they've topped out".

I consider those opinions being 'outlier' opinions. I'm not saying they are wrong, just that those aren't the mainstream opinions about "what makes a great leader". I keep saying leader, because that's what we expect of senior NCOs - to be great leaders.

THAT'S what's going to make you stand out among you peers. When you're up for your E7/E8/E9, I want to know you're a great Soldier (all your individual metrics - APFT, weapons qualifications, etc), but more importantly I want to know you're a great LEADER. As an NCO you should be focused on the troops under your care. Do THEY have great individual metrics. If so, that reflects very favorably on you. If they don't ... well, that also reflects.

There is a saying in the military - you control your own future.

Make sure you engage with your leadership, especially your rater and senior rater. Make sure you make their goals your own and do what you can to accomplish them - If your platoon leader/PSG have weapons qualification as one of their stated important goals, than it should be one of your important goals. If it's vehicle licensing for them, then it's vehicle licensing for you. And so on.

Make sure you press for formal or informal feedback on "how am I doing"? You don't want to come across as a lackey or someone who's most important focus is how someone else perceives you, but you do want to get feedback on how you are doing, what you can do to improve, what areas you are excelling at, etc. Reinforce success and adapt and fix your shortcomings.

All that said, if you are focused on taking care of your troops and supporting the successful accomplishment of your leaders' goals, then you're 90% of the way there.
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* found the article after I posted the above response on the other thread
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/nco-journal/docs/searching-for-the-secret-to-promotion.pdf

What are the unspoken reasons the get you overlooked for Sergeant First Class | RallyPoint

What are the unspoken reasons the get you overlooked for Sergeant First Class

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 5:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 17:23:35 -0500

HRC Enlisted Promotions page has an entire brief about the senior enlisted evaluation promotion process that you can pull down and check out. This subject is an entire 30-60 minute class on its own

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 8:07 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 20:07:00 -0500

When you meet the minimum requirements, your file will go before the Centralized Board at the Pentagon. You will be scored amongst your peers in your MOS. Based on their decision, you will then be given an OML number. You will need 48 months TIG as a SSG. See MILPER Number: 21-142

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 8:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 20:51:41 -0500

I'm pretty sure if you go on HRC they explain it - there's always PPTs and stuff on there.

The change with the OML is that your number doesn't stay the same. Before the OML, people got a sequence number and you kept that number and got promoted when it came up. Now - the OML will shift every board. You could be #5 on the OML one board and #20 on the next if you don't stay competitive. That's even how it was explained in a class we got from a SGM in my last unit. The OML intent is to make people be more competitive and keep their number up. It's not going to be easy to get promoted to SNCO ranks anymore if you aren't making an effort.

Like - I have less than 2 years to retire so I honestly don't care if I make MSG. When they switched to OML I think I was 1200 something out of 1492. Next one I was 1100 something out of 1492 for my CMF so I guess I moved up but I know I'm never going to be in the top of any OML. If I could have gone to SLC in 2015 when I initially got slotted, I'd probably be MSG by now under the old system - but I had to defer it 3 years for my daughter due to her medical issues.