How much weight do Selection Boards put into Generating over Broadening Assignments?

Where does old guard stands on this list because I heard that an automatic e7 slot because it a great assignment.

I recommend you look at the past Senior NCO centralized promotion board’s after action reviews on the Human Resource Command website. And review chapters two and three of DA Pam 600-25.

Each board is different, but if you complete yourbkeybdebelopmental position, and have diverse background were you perform well in all assignments you will be viewed favorably.

I deciphered part of the code for SFC promotion for 68W. Personally I chose the SGL broadening assignment. When I went to BNCOC back in 94 this assignment was very useful for promotion. Most of the SSG SGLs were picked up. I got the chance to teach 4 years later and things had changed. I missed the tidal wave of promotions by 2 years. We had fat list for E7 97 and 98. Then talk of shrinking the force began plus mandatory reclasses put the brakes on promotions. Things were so bad that our ANCOC crew had to cancel a couple of classes because there were not enough students. So my sure fire broadening assignment didn't do me much good. Fate was looking out/cursing me though. I came down on orders for Korea. I am a flight medic and was tagged to fill a 20 slot since the theater was critically short flight medics. You can guess what happened when I hit 8th Army reception.G1 sent me to an area support medical company instead of a MEDEVAC unit. I immediately called the CSM for the medical evacuation battalion and he told me he would handle it. That was in Dec 01. I didn't hear a thing about the situation until February 02 when I was told I was transferring to DUSTOFF. Well the area support medical company offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. They slotted me in a 40 slot and rated me as the ambulance platoon Sergeant. I was picked up by the next board after my tour ended. I knew about the Korea option since 1989. I knew a few medical SSGs that went so they could get a coveted 40 slot and get promoted. I used to counsel my SSGs to volunteer for military transition team assignments. 68W30s were guaranteed promotion after taking this assignment. Every volunteer was promoted. So promotions revolve around assignments, end strength, operational needs, and the strength of your packet.

You don't see many Soldiers promoted to E7 that didn't go above and beyond at some point. You can tell the ones that just put in their time and got lucky. When your promo packet is reviewed by someone you have never met, there, in my mind, needs to be something in it to jump out and catch their attention.

Interesting but the evidence is more anecdotal that's cited. One thing would be to take a look at board precepts and see what is the flavor du jour. I'd presume they're published similar to the Navy by the HR side. In general, they talk about the elements that are measured for promotion. If there is an imbalance in the bodies on board, they may favor certain pedigrees, experiences, progressions, etc. They also talk about what isn't fair game. Then there's the middle ground of the "shall not be disadvantaged" items. The Service Secretary signs out selection/promotion criteria that gets used at the varied boards. I've sat ENL, JO, and Senior boards. The focus at the higher levels shifts because you're looking at a smaller group, know the jobs they're headed for, and you're looking for best fit and best chance of success.

SFC Steven Harvey great topic, from my experience you can broaden your career and navigate it with your career advisor at DA. The more the better leverage you can persuade at the unit and DA level IMHO.