Is sponsoring a Soldier a task that a first line supervisor should embrace, or a task for any NCO within the section to perform?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:16:32 -0400

In my unit, I've seen NCOs that don't want to take their soldiers to the board, simply for the fact that they don't want the soldier to get promoted. Mind you, the soldier is an excellent worker, studies on a regular basis, and shows plenty of interest in wanting to be in the military. I get it, it could be that there is other issues within that soldiers section, and it's wrong for his supervisors to be debating on who the sponsor is going to be. But c'mon now, you can't hold a soldier up from progressing, especially if there's no paper trail stating that the soldier is messing up. How do other members within the RallyPoint community feel about sponsoring their soldiers?

Response by SGT David T. made May 20 at 2015 3:21 PM

SGT David T. — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:21:34 -0400

I was really big on it when I was in. I always recommended the promotion board unless I had documented reasons why they shouldn't attend. If they corrected those reasons then I recommended it. Of course the last time I made the recommendation the Soldier got an Article 15 and the point became moot. However, last I heard she was a Staff Sergeant now, so I guess it all worked out.

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made May 20 at 2015 3:25 PM

SGT Nia Chiaraluce — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:25:58 -0400

It is absolutely the first line's duty to sponsor a soldier. I will be fair and impartial when recommending reward and punishment. Just because a soldier falls short of expectations doesn't warrent non-advancement. Like SGT David Thomas said monthly counselings will help validate if the soldier is ready. A key indication that it is not the soldier and a leadership issue is if there is no packet to reflect non-recommendation.

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made May 20 at 2015 3:54 PM

SSG Melvin Nulph — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:54:11 -0400

I took pride in my soldiers, and took a lot of them to boards. I also had to answer the questions that they messed up on or was as the 1SG called it "become tongue tied and twisted under pressure". It was my job to make sure they represented our section, and or company depending on the board as well as to progess or ets when the time came. I didn't like getting in class A's anymore then the members of the board but if my member went, their counseling packing backed him or her Being there and we was ready. The only reasons I wouldn't be there would be if I was 8n the hospital, school or deployed away at the time of the board. Duty the night prior wasn't a reason to allow someone else to have the honor of being with my troop at their best.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 4:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:13:03 -0400

A sponsor should be someone of equal rank or one above that is of the same gender and marital status that has been in the unit for a while with knowledge of the area. The first line leader should be overseeing that the sponsorship is being done correctly.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 20 at 2015 4:21 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:21:55 -0400

If leader does not want his soldiers to get promoted, then they are not a leader and they need to get out of the way and let someone else lead.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2018 6:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 18:38:58 -0400

What regulation? If there is one that states the answer.