Posted on Feb 20, 2019
Is it wrong for a PFC to worry about his promotion points?
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I recently got waived to PFC. Im am entirely aware of how many promotion points I have and how many I need to make SGT. I understand i have a bit of time before I get there, however i would like to prepare. My mindset is to start preparing now so when the time comes i don’t have to scramble to “make points.” However whenever I bring up anything pertaining to promotion points, my chain of command and basically anyone higher ranking than myself says “you are just a PFC. Don’t worry about it”. Am I wrong for monitoring my promotion points ? Is it wrong to be prepared. This is demoralizing.
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 17
Not at all. This is your career. No one will care about your career but you. Take charge early, as many have learned this the hard way.
You may be able to log into the HRC website and run a "mock" PP worksheet on yourself to see. But there are things you can and cannot control with points. PT and weapon qual - practice and get good so you can max those. Awards and badges - you are at the mercy of someone else recommending/approving you to get that - so try but don't make it your #1 thing. Education - boom. That's the gold mine. Get all your correspondence course hours done, and get college credits. That is all 100% in your control and you have time to build your points there.
Or, if you desire to skip worrying about promotion points you can go ARSOF. IF you get selected and complete the training, you will have SGT automatically, though it is not about making rank there as much as it is being good at your job, rank is just a perk.
You may be able to log into the HRC website and run a "mock" PP worksheet on yourself to see. But there are things you can and cannot control with points. PT and weapon qual - practice and get good so you can max those. Awards and badges - you are at the mercy of someone else recommending/approving you to get that - so try but don't make it your #1 thing. Education - boom. That's the gold mine. Get all your correspondence course hours done, and get college credits. That is all 100% in your control and you have time to build your points there.
Or, if you desire to skip worrying about promotion points you can go ARSOF. IF you get selected and complete the training, you will have SGT automatically, though it is not about making rank there as much as it is being good at your job, rank is just a perk.
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CW2 (Join to see)
There's some great advice here. Definitely keep track of promotion point trends in your MOS. Look at Board AARs, and definitely volunteer for Soldier of the Month/Quarter boards. Not only do they give you board experience, but it shows you off to the deciding people, and they usually come with some awards/decorations that are worth even more promotion points, especially when you get into Divison and higher level boards - USASOC literally gives out tablets to participants and customized firearms to winners on top of an MSM.
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100% care about your points and work to do your best to achieve the NCO status you wish to attain. There are only two ranks in the Army that YOU can achieve on your own and they are SGT/E-5 and SSG/E-6. Of course you have the recommendation of your superiors and the board itself to award points, but no other rank has the inputs that YOU control. I wanted to make SGT in 36 months and that was the sole goal of my first enlistment starting out E-1 PVT. It was being a damn good Soldier, in the right place, uniform and time as needed. Always being ready for inspection and attending and competing in month and quarter boards to broaden my knowledge and gain valuable experience talking to senior NCO's. Having goals and working on them when others look for mischief is admirable and honorable, would have you on my team anytime.
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In your case, you do have time to get your points up there. There is nothing wrong with you monitoring your points level. No, there is nothing wrong with being prepared. I would advise you to not put too much emphasis on it presently. Keep an eye on them, certainly...but don't get tunnel vision.
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