Posted on Dec 22, 2013
Is the promotion from SPC to SGT working, or are we giving it away to soldiers that answered some questions at the promotion board?
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I haven't been in the military for nearly as long as many of you senior NCOs and Officers but I have noticed that soldiers who have NO leadership potential go to the promotion board to "earn" their promotable status.
Answering some questions, being polite and lying to the CSM face (yes CSM I wanna be a jump master) just to get the promotable status is not that much of a challenge.
I understand that the board members take a look at the soldiers file and all the good stuff in it, but in most cases that does not reflect on the ability to lead soldiers.
I am not wiling to just be one of the NCOs that, do not know how to get the job done, but I wanna have the stripes on my chest so I can tell somebody else to go get the job done.
Posted in these groups: 
Promotable
Promotion Board
Promotable Promotion Board
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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SPC Andrejco - Let me start off by saying this, before a SPC is sitting in front of a CSM and a panel of 1SGs for the Promotion Board, that SPC is recommended by his/her Squad Leader, PSG and 1SG. Second of all, I am very disappointed in the wording of your last paragraph. If the reason that you want "stripes on your chest" is "so you can tell somebody else to go get the job done," you are not ready to put stripes on. There is so much more to being a Noncommissioned Officer than telling "somebody else to get the job done." I suggest that you do some research and take some time and sit down with your NCO Support Channel and talk to them about what becoming a Noncommissioned Officer is all about.
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1SG Steven Stankovich
Tracking SPC. If you do not feel that you are "the leader that your Soldier deserves to have as an NCO," then I would challenge you to make yourself that leader. We are in a profession that builds leaders. A lot of that building comes from personal / individual initiative and a desire to become better at what we do. Good luck!!!
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SFC Michael Whipple
Leaders lead from the front. The Be, Know, Do concept has been slowly dissolving from the NCO Corps and I was tasked to write my first APFT failure NOCER on a SGT who knew better, but just didn't cut it. My PT was not top-shelf Schwarzenegger material, but if you continue to challenge yourself, and challenge your men, there is nothing more satisfying to Soldiers than seeing their NCO assist with the PMCS, cleaning common areas, as well as other ancillary services.
I miss my Soldiers, the way of life, and the brotherhood. Civilians don't get it, don't understand, and look at us like freaks of nature. There are many SGTs out there that need to be knocked off their horse, as well as some SSGs. Lead from the front, Be confident, Know your job, your role and responsibilities, and DO the right thing, legally, morally and ethically.
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SSG Audwin Scott
That's why I say bring back the Specialist positions, everyone just isn't cut out or ready to be a leader, but they maybe very good at their MO'S.
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SGT Ron Fillion
i was in during the 70's 80's and made sgt. this position has alot of responsibilty knowledge and leadership, and much more . most of all respect !
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I have been out of the marine corps since 1990. there are some questions on those promotion boards ( in my own opinion ) that have nothing to do with your MOS. which i think is way out of context.. If you know the so called guide book. an present yourself very well... you will get promoted.. its wrong... should be done on your MOS. period.. for instance i went before a promotion board. an was ask a question about the proper length of a woman marines skirt... what does that have to do with being in the infantry? that was years ago. but now who knows... its to easy...
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1SG Tom Conner
I retired as an Army Master Sergeant in 1999. MOS questions are covered every day in your work. Common Tasks on the CTT. There were senior NCO's on my Sergeant promotion board who knew nothing about my MOS, but did know about the leadership attitude and ability which I should have.
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I don't feel that the system is "giving away" the promotion due to how you perform at the board. You have to be recommended to attend the board first of all. If you attain your promotable status then it is still ultimately up to you to receive the amount of points needed to make cut off according to your MOS.
I had to re-class to another MOS just to try and make a reasonable cut off score. I eventually made it with 659 points.
The number one question I receive is " How do I get points?" You have to go above and beyond in all areas to receive points.
The response I get is " Well I have points in all these areas but I don't have any awards, this command never gives out awards." I received 7 AAMs and 2 ARCOMS in one command. I did it by going to boards, volunteering for competitions, and always doing my best at my job, even when no one was looking. Once a soldier realizes this and starts being proactive they figure out how to get it done.
As for the other aspect of actually getting recommended for the board.. I read a response saying it's all about who you know not what you know. I would have to say that's absolutely incorrect. That is what every soldier comes to in there mind when there not getting to where they want to be and don't understand why. I showed up to a new command with a brand new MOS, transferred from forscom to medcom, so I was completely out of my element. But I just worked my butt off and kept fighting for what I wanted, I got told I couldn't go to the board because here were others at this command that still needed to go before me. So what I did and I recommend to all soldiers in this situation is say "Roger that, may I at least go to the soldier of the month board?" If you are asking to go there is no reason to say no. You go to that board and blow them out of the water. I guarantee that you will be on your way to the promotion board in no time. If any soldiers are struggling to go to the board or get points feel free to contact me for advice. It was a battle for my promotion so I understand your frustrations. Best of luck!
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