How likely is it for a 42A to be promoted to MSG/1SG?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 11:20:04 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2018 11:24 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 11:24:16 -0500

To give you an idea, on the February 2018 SNCO promo list, there were 16 42As promoted to SFC, 2 to MSG, and 6 to SGM. So, I would say the chances are decent. All just depends on how many eligible Soldiers compared to slots and how on top of your required PME you are.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2018 11:45 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 11:45:47 -0500

There are not a lot of billets, so I guess the question would be better framed as "how does it compare to other MOSs?"
I can say that historically, 42A has had a bottleneck to E-5 and -6 due to a 798 cut off score. I have always been bewildered by that, as I have yet to meet a 42A that shoots 40/40 or maxes PT... much less both. But I digress.
The road to -7 is much easier, but at -8 the limitation is billets.
On a whole, comparable to other Combat Service Support MOSs, but very competitive at middle ranks.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2018 1:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:37:57 -0500

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member there are too many variables to really give you the correct answer. The one I would say, is depends mostly on you. You must continually separate yourself from your peers. It sounds cliché but it is the truth. Also, look at DA PAM 600-25, ensure you have what is recommended for the current grade in your MOS. Next, be successful in everything you do. Check Board AARS and statistics often. No one can predict what selection rates will be in 10 years. What about OCS, or WOCS? Good luck in the future, I hope you reach your goals and you find the answer you seek.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2018 9:30 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 21:30:31 -0500

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member - Rylee, don’t over look that 42A is a feeder MOS for Warrant. In getting my ducks in a role to make E-8, I missed my opportunity to go Warrant in the process.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2018 7:20 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 19:20:16 -0500

Not sure warrant is the way I want to go. If i did I would go back to the field I’m currently in as a watercraft warrant but that’s my last resort once I’ve exhausted all my NCO duty oportunities.

Response by SFC John Hatton made Feb 10 at 2018 8:44 PM

SFC John Hatton — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 20:44:25 -0500

Become an Army Reservist, they promoted some of the most retarded, fat and useless all the way up to even Commading Generals. My advice is to stay on Active Duty and retire with dignaty. For Enlisted, NCO Academys provide solid upward mobility. Teach, deploy and Teach again.

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Feb 10 at 2018 9:44 PM

CW2 Louis Melendez — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 21:44:40 -0500

SPC McMillin,

DA Pam 600-25 will give you the framework for everything. Besides that, try to separate yourself from your peers.

Also, tryout for units that have some sort of selection process (e.g. SOF) because that will give you more experience and a different angle on how the Army works. Specially from a Special Operations perspective. SOF assignments are very challenging but they topically accelerate your learning process within your own MOS. Think about it and start preparing for the upcoming years.

Good luck

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 8:36 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 08:36:37 -0500

Depends on your Component and your Status.

Response by SFC Glenn Kozak made Feb 11 at 2018 8:56 PM

SFC Glenn Kozak — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 20:56:45 -0500

On the AGR (USAR) it was tough. I don’t know about RA or NG. I know three female Soldiers that made MSG as 42A. One had a Masters Degree. I was an E7 for over 11 years at retirement.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2018 6:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 18:04:24 -0500

Get a degree now this is the best time for you to get one, because the higher up you go the less time you’ll have to work towards one. It’ll also set you up for success in the future, as well as points.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 7:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:53:54 -0500

Look at the percentages for your MOS strength. Should be able to find it on your MOS page on ACT. It is a decent predictive tool. Especially if say MSG is at 77% and SSG is at 110% or vice versa.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 15 at 2018 10:59 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:59:15 -0500

Some become sergeants major. Remember that every unit brigade or higher has an admin NCO who is an E-8 or E-9.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2018 7:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 19:48:28 -0500

You can view the promotion rates on HRC. However as a whole only 2% of military members are selected for MSG

Response by MSG Tom Behan made Mar 4 at 2018 11:03 AM

MSG Tom Behan — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 11:03:00 -0500

There is always the possibility. Why are you asking? Are you there for rank or are you there for your fellow soldier. If you are there for your battle, then you have a probability to be a MSG or FSG. If you are striving to BE KNOW DO to the fullest and are being the backbone you are suppose to be,. It is possible. Be fair concise and consistent. Don't look for it,. Do everything in your power to be the soldier you want tour soldiers to be. The system will find you. It will find you because you are being everything you need to be. NCO Lead the way. LIVE AND BREATHE THE NCO CREED. if you are still confused,. I guess. You are not meant to be. Your are never to be a rank or a pay grade. You are a time honored tradition of leadership. Show it.. they will honor it, and recognize it. Give them hell and nothing to doubt.

Response by 1SG Marion "Ron" C. made Mar 11 at 2018 6:50 PM

1SG Marion "Ron" C. — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 18:50:00 -0400

SGT McMillin, SFC Arguello is correct about the variable and setting yourself apart from your peers. I would suggest that you seek out a few 42A that are currently a MSG/1SG and ask what they did to get to that level. I suspect you will hear different paths that each took. One piece of advice I can give you is to strive to be the best you can and excel in everything you do. That being said, as you progress through the ranks excellence will precede you. Believe it or not, the Army is smaller than most people realize. The 42A field is very small and the higher in rank you progress the smaller it becomes. Another piece of advice I can offer is to seek out the hard jobs and go to school. I wished I had attended college while I was in and maybe I would have been promoted faster. So, if you take anything from this post, take every opportunity that is offered to you and excel while doing it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2018 2:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 14:10:38 -0400

Very likely