I will be going to the soldier of the month board and then the promotion board (E5). Any advice?

2015-07-16T20:15:10-04:00

Response by SFC Joseph James made Jul 16 at 2015 8:17 PM

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Be yourself and be honest. If you don't know it don't try to fake it. You'll do great!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 8:17 PM

2015-07-16T20:17:46-04:00

Talk to others that have recently attended boards, study, have your supervisor look at your uniform, study, seek out advice from your supervisor, and STUDY!

Response by 1SG Joseph Wolf made Jul 16 at 2015 8:21 PM

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Study up before hand. Get a good night sleep. kick butt in PT that morning and eat a good breakfast. Breathe.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 16 at 2015 8:21 PM

2015-07-16T20:21:24-04:00

Congratulations, breath, practice and don't be afraid to fail. You well have questions you don't know be honest. Lastly do a Mock board.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 9:16 PM

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I just passed the promotion board a few months ago. My best advise to you is remain calm and be confident (be cocky but not too cocky you don't want to come off as a selfish person)! Make sure you study and if it helps get a study buddy. Another important aspect of passing a promotion board is getting a good sponsor who has actually worked with you and knows and has the ability to "sell" you as a outstanding solder to the board members. Lastly if you don't know the answer to a question don't freak out calmly say "1SG (or CSM) I do not know the answer to that question at the moment can I please get back with you with the answer?" Make sure you get back with them too!! There are many other polite ways to say you don't know the answer to a question that was just an example but the important thing is to stay calm when you don't know the answer.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 9:27 PM

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STUDY STUDY STUDY. Always remember to breathe. Make sure your uniform is locked tight. Be prepared to think on your feet. Be prepared for questions you may not know. Don't BS the board members. But always remember that the board members were once upon a time ago PVTs and SPCs. They are actually human. They will not eat your soul.

Response by 1SG Adais Garcia made Jul 17 at 2015 2:39 AM

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Study and Study

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 17 at 2015 2:42 AM

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SPC James Hill, Prepare yourself w/ study/impeccable uniform and seek solid Intel from others in the unit on what they experienced. Build yourself a G-2 network! A good network can last a lifetime!

Response by MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 8:53 AM

2015-07-17T08:53:55-04:00

A lot of good advice here already...confidence is the key! Make sure you have done a mock board with your first line supervisor. Check your uniform...have your sponsor check your uniform. Get a haircut the day prior...have on your identification tags, any smart cards that are part of your units sop...have them on you.

Good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 9:05 AM

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You want to blow them out of the water...do something that makes you stand out. I always say the NCO creed with a lot of emotion. It actually means something to me, but when you say it like its your creed...you will be remembered. It is a small piece of advice (aside from be confident, don't lose military bearing, maintain your tone and pitch, study...) that might do you some good! Good luck!

Response by 1SG Scott Munn made Jul 18 at 2015 12:39 AM

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Know your chain of command. Your first answer is the only answer. Don't second guess yourself. Answer and be confident in yourself

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 9:05 PM

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Study and get in some mock boards to prepare. At the very least, remember what regulation covers what topic area. A good NCO finds answers to questions with research. In time, you will remember certain chapters of certain regulations because you will reference them more often and apply them to real world situations. As for the board, study...study...study. Good luck.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 20 at 2015 9:28 PM

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Be confident and not cocky. Be prepared. You've got this!

Response by 1SG Brian Allen made Jul 20 at 2015 11:42 PM

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Study, study, study. Practice your bio. The key to being an NCO is knowing where to go when you cannot remeber the specifics. For example if a question is asked about the wear and appearnece of a army uniform and you cannot state the exact answer reply with I do not know the exact answer but if I go to AR 670-1 I can find it. You cannot rely on saying this for every question but as a retired 1SG who sat on a ton of boards this helps.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 21 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-07-21T13:54:11-04:00

@SPC James Hill - this advice comes form one whose early military career got a jump start with the Soldier of the Year Boards: (1) Get and memorize one of those study guides. Most board questions from from there. Get to the point where you know the answers backward and forward. (2) Practice, practice, practice - if you can get a study buddy to drill you with questions, say for an hour each night, you'll see your improvement and confidence rise (3) Night before the Board - get a good rest. If you've followed items (1) and (2), (3) will follow. (4) On Board day, be calm, cool and collected in front of the Board, and you'll be fine. Make certain your uniform is squared away. Something I found that worked is to repeat the question so you know which tape recorder to play. It also provides those crucial seconds you need for a clean shot to center mass. Then, speak clearly so all can hear, enunciate so all understand and remain calm. Board members (having been one I can tell you) notice twitchiness and other distractions. Sit with your hands in your lap or on the arms of the chair. If you're reciting something (eg firing functions), SUBTLY and without noticeable movement, press your fingers into something so you can keep track, but not so that Board members will notice. THEN, after all is said and done - RELAX. That round's headed downrange and ain't no calling it back or do-overs.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 10:13 PM

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Find a good study partner and practice answering questions out loud. A lot of folks study alone and only think about the answers. They are the ones that get all tongue tide on board day. A good study partner is one that is not afraid to give you constructive criticism. Iron sharpens iron.Good luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 5:43 PM

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Confidence is key. Studying gains you confidence. Knowing all the answers doesnt always win boards, knowing where to
find them is a plus. Own the room and belt out that creed!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 4:06 PM

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1)Yes learn to articulate answers with the questions they give.
2) never forget to address them with rank in your answer
3) don't repeat answers such I don't know that question say at this time but I just say you can find the answer in this regs- or DA PAM
4) uniform squarerd away by your section basically get on their nerves
5)famous quote like others don't be cocky but confidence
6) the crease/cut behind your asu pants is a West Point cut.
7)knock loud and presentation is key
Last but not least 8) the board members put on the same pants like everybody else relax.boards are meant to build up a soldier.. Trust me

Response by CSM Tee Oden made Jul 28 at 2015 8:51 PM

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Study!!! Preparation is the key.

Response by CSM Stuart C. O'Black made Jul 31 at 2015 11:27 AM

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Previous advice I have given to others.

Understand your NCOs think you are squared away already or they would not have asked – told.

1) Make sure you were given the board memo so you know which subjects to study. (not just a study guide ARs/FMs)

2) Know who will be sitting on the Board - situational awareness only.

3) Talk to past members who went to a similar board - especially if you know a past winner.

4) Have your fellow Soldiers ask you question at work. Let everyone know you are going and want help learning. See if your NCOs will set up a mock board so you understand how the board proceedings will
work and it will give you practice under pressure.

5) Confidence is number 1 - even if you get an answer wrong it is best to be confidant it is correct answer than sound like you are guessing. ***I cannot overstate enough that your military bearing
and confidence as a Soldier is very important. Probably the most important thing when going to boards.

6) Practice your opening statement - meaning if they ask you to tell them about yourself you are prepared. Don’t draw it out and hit the main points, the highlight of your career so far. You’re your short
term and long term goals. Focus mostly on your military goals but schools and education is okay as well.

7) Don’t just use study guides as said. Soldiers and Leaders will tell you to go to studyguide.com and study the area your board published. True a lot of boards use study guides but be familiar with the regulation, ARs, FMs etc… *******Also, if military programs are on your Board memo do one important thing. GO TO those agencies. You will learn far more than any a piece of paper and be able to answer more than just the basic stuff everyone else says.

8) Don’t forget what you have learned. It is not just about a board but making you a better Soldier and future leader. What you learn during the process will make you successful throughout your career. It will help you take care of your Soldiers in the future.

Your NCOs have faith in you otherwise they would not want you to go and represent them at a board. So be proud they asked and even if you don’t win know you already succeeded by representing your command. If you win there will be more boards ahead and if not ask if you can go back again later. Don’t give up and quit just because you lost a board. Do all of the above and I am confidant you will be successful.

Best wishes - and knock three times loudly!

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Apr 12 at 2017 2:23 PM

2017-04-12T14:23:13-04:00

Stay on point !
Don't give extemporaneous answers
Unless they ask you to delve further
Good luck and Godspeed Soldier !

Response by SSG Grant Hansen made Sep 9 at 2018 10:00 PM

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Study the all of the provided study material until you know it cold. Not just the main points, either, but the smallest details. Once you have that down. Have your buddy do a mock board. Act as if it's the real thing and have your buddy critique you.