What is the best way to quickly prepare for a promotion board?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 17:48:48 -0400

I have been informed that I will be attending a Sergeant's Board in 10 days and that my sponsor will be reaching out to me tomorrow.

Previously I was led to beleive I was not eligible to attend this board as I am a new Specialist, so preparing for it fell on the back burner since I thought I had a year to prepare.

Bad move on my part because now I'm eligible apparently and my chain wants me there.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Oct 6 at 2021 5:52 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 17:52:19 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member please make sure your uniform is “squared away”, review your personnel record to ensure everything is in it! Know your Chain of Command and your general orders and basic military information you were taught. Best of luck!

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Oct 6 at 2021 7:59 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 19:59:30 -0400

SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" probably has good advice

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2021 6:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 06:33:42 -0400

Boards are more about military bearing than military knowledge. If you look at the score sheet you'll see half your score is military bearing, uniform and presence. Everyone spends hours studying hundreds of subjects but they don't spend a few minutes rehearsing for the most important part of the board. The fact is, if you ace knowledge but fail military bearing, the board will not recommend you for promotion. But you can fail most of the knowledge and still handle yourself well and be recommended for promotion.

Write your bio out and practice saying it out loud in a manner that doesn't sound robotic. Practice the marching, facing movements, and reporting. Practice your Soldier and NCO creed enough that you can roll through them smoothly without stumbling at all. Make sure your uniform is freshly pressed, your haircut is fresh, and have some NCOs look your uniform over ahead of time. Update your SRB, make sure your awards match on your uniform, that you're wearing everything you're authorized and everything you're wearing is on your SRB.

If you walk in with a squared away SRB, looking sharp, spit your bio and recite your creeds with confidence while projecting your voice, you will immediately set a good impression on the board members.
Good luck

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2021 11:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 11:31:15 -0400

Have your uniform up to date and correct, know how to properly address the board and all members, know your basic soldiering skills, know the change of command, know your record.

They are more interested in what you can do to effectively lead and develop soldiers... think about what an NCO does; we lead from the front, always placing the needs and development of our soldiers above our own. Be prepared to talk about your career to this point and know where you stand on all qualification that are relevant to your MOS. Present your self as a leader and you will be fine. Also, don't ramble on when answering them, be present, be prepared and be professional.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2021 4:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 16:04:09 -0400

I used a book called "Winning the Board" I bought from the Clothing and Sales. There is also armystudyguide.com. Only word of caution with these 2 are the publications they reference have changed so look up actual publication but info is still the same

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Oct 7 at 2021 4:07 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 16:07:55 -0400

Each unit I was in had a study guide. Make sure your uniform is STRAC