How to get released from your branch for career progression

2014-06-18T14:50:59-04:00

The Army preaches career progression at just about every briefing. Leaders always say to set yourself apart from your peers but when the Army has a quota to meet, Soldiers get PSC'd to like assignments. Those assignments are hard to distinguish yourself from your peers. What do you do when your branch wont release you to take a career progression assignment that also fills a vacant spot for the Army?

Response by 1SG Chris Brown made Jun 18 at 2014 3:01 PM

2014-06-18T15:01:45-04:00

I guess it dependds on what Branch we're talking about and whether or not the assignment is within the bounds of your MOS. For example, if you're asking to go work JROTC, does your Branch have a valid slot for that? I made a trip to HRC last month and our Aviation Branch won't assign anyone to JROTC positions, though there is a MSG in our field who managed to get a slot before they stopped allowing it. If it's a slot in your career field that you believe you're qualifed for, talk to your CSM at Battalion or Brigade level. It's funny what a phone call from the CSM direct to the SGM managing assignments in your branch can accomplish. Most Branches won't send personnel TDA to TDA if they can help it. It took my current Brigade CSM calling over and over trying to secure me for the 1SG position I'm currently in before they finally allowed it. You could also try asking the CSM at the unit you want to go to call up your Branch. If he really wants you to come to his unit, he may be able to steer you his direction.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jun 18 at 2014 3:36 PM

2014-06-18T15:36:04-04:00

I would recommend that you speak to the Installation EOA/EEO. That individual will be able to sit down with you and go over the prerequisites and put in the initial paperwork to see if you would be a good candidate. He/she may also be a great source of information about the selection process.