Looking for advice to help with my nervousness on the promotion board.

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 15:16:41 -0500

I am attending the promotion board next week and I am really nervous, any suggestions on how to help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 20 at 2013 3:24 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 15:24:51 -0500

First, good luck with the board next week.  The best advice I can give you is the same that was given to me.  1) Try and get some rest the night before.  This will be hard to do because you'll keep thinking of things.  2) Get them jump boots up to a high shine!  3)  Eat a good breakfast the morning of the board.  Other than that, study, study, study.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2013 3:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 15:30:27 -0500

SPC Pounds,

The advice SFC Gates provided is sound. Another thing I would add is expect to get an answer wrong. It happens. If you expect it, you are less likely to become flustered if you do miss a question.

Also if you do not know an answer, state you do not know the answer, but that you would find it in regulation (Insert number). Give what you do know. Memorize your creeds (NCO and Soldier). Ask your NCO Support chain for what to study, usually there is information put out to the units as to what will be covered on the board.

I remember my first board. The only question I got wrong was the current events question, and we were deployed at the time. I was prepared to get an answer wrong, so it did not get in the way of the other questions that followed.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Nov 20 at 2013 3:38 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 15:38:38 -0500

You have received some sound advice here SPC Pounds.  Let me give you my point of view from the 1SG chair on the "other side of the table."  First of all, be confident.  Your leaders have recommended you for promotion.  You have demonstrated that potential.  I am sure that you are prepared to answer questions.  Understand that you may not know the answer to everything.  Don't get flustered if you forget something.  Like SFC Weems stated, state you do not know the answer to the question.  If you know the FM or AR it is located in, tell the Board member that you know you can reference it.  Know your Creeds.  Very important. Oh yeah...knock like you mean it before you enter the Board.  Keep your movements crisp and clean.  Good luck!!!

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 20 at 2013 4:48 PM

CMC Robert Young — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 16:48:54 -0500

SPC Pounds, my assumption is the Army promotion boards are similar to the Coast Guard certification boards, and as such, please let me offer you this. Study as much as you can ahead of time, but give yourself the last day to decompress. It really is possible to over study, and nothing we do in the last 24 hours seems to help much. Glance over your study material the last day, but don't get knee deep in something last day. Consider gathering some of your trusted peers, and have them stage a mock board (preferably in the room where the board will be conducted). Get their feedback. I have done this several times, and it will build your confidence. If nothing else, you will become more comfortable with the environment.  Focus on the basics (square away your uniform, shoes, hair, etc.) Remember the board will form their first opinion of you from your appearance. Even if you don't believe it, you need to project an air of confidence.  Don't let one question throw you. If you get one that stumps you, take a breath, repeat the question back to the board to make certain you understand exactly what's expected, and if all else fails, don't try to BS your way out of a bad question. Own your situation by explaining that you need to research that particular topic. That's what good leaders do. Finally, a good workout the day before and a good night sleep will do wonders. Hope that helps some. It looks like you're getting some good advice from your army team. GOOD LUCK!!

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 20 at 2013 7:05 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 19:05:40 -0500

My recommendation would be mock board with some NCOs whose advice you trust, and who have been there before and succeeded. You'll do great -- just do the absolute best you can. That's all anyone can ask for.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2013 7:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 19:16:12 -0500

SPC Pounds,

Best of luck to you with your board. After reading all of the other replies I'd say that the technical answers for a good board performance have been taken care of. Let's take another angle. When you're in the board you may feel yourself getting nervous. Take a deep breathe and find a way to you can build your confidence. I did it by telling myself "you may out rank me, but I'd kick you a** if I had too". I wouldn't really do it, but it made me feel better. Remember, they are people too. They aren't super human or anything. They breathe the same air as you and put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. Know your material and look at the CSM like they are sitting in YOUR chair. Everything else will take care of itself! :)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2013 7:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 19:38:16 -0500

The nervousness for me dissipates the more I study. I truly dislike speaking in front of people, but ya gotta do it. So my nervousness was prominent.. I answered all my questions correctly, presented properly and everything but these same E7s and 1SGs I see and speak to daily had now become "board members".

I try to pick 1 spot to seemingly stare into their eyes, but I actually am looking at the walls. I definitely do the meditative breathing so my body can try and remain calm and I try and find something to laugh at before I go in, it lets off more nervous energy.

Have you done a few mock boards?? They really helped as well.

Goodluck!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2013 7:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 19:45:27 -0500

Remember to maintain your military bearing.....they are there to see if you possess the qualities, capabilities and skills a Leader should possess. If you're thoroughly prepared then you'll walk away with your promotable status which puts you one step closer to becoming an NCO.

Some key points to consider:

***Military bearing (probably the BIGGEST point)
***Knowledge
***Sounding off (in this situation, it's okay to YELL at your leadership....they recommend it lol)
***Discipline

And above all, remember to relax and let things flow naturally.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2013 9:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 21:02:54 -0500

All the advice given is very sound and from a lot of experience. Studying is the key, but one thing I've found to help me in all types of boards is CONFIDENCE. You may know every answer to every question, but we are all human and subject to forget things when we get nervous. So if you forget the answer be up front and tell them you don't know, but be confident when doing so. If you give a wrong answer, do it confidently, like "I know it's wrong but I'm sticking to my guns!" Many boards appreciate a confident person. So will Soldiers appreciate a confident Leader.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2013 9:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 21:03:06 -0500

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2013 9:15 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 09:15:01 -0500

SPC Pounds,

You got this. The advice presented in this threat is top notch. Go in there and get the job done. Do your best and don't worry about anything beyond that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2013 2:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 14:05:44 -0500

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. I really do appreciate it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2013 2:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 14:28:08 -0500

goodluck you got this!

Response by SFC Melissa A. made Nov 21 at 2013 3:42 PM

SFC Melissa A. — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 15:42:22 -0500

SPC,

Everyone here is giving you sound advice! From my experience being a promotion board recorder and being privy to conversations after a Soldier leaves is this. You will be nervous but to help with calming yourself, practice your bio. This gives you a chance to talk about yourself and CALM down. Also, know about your current events. You'll have the opportunity to tell them about certain things going on in the news, which also gives you time to CALM down! Once each board member is finished questioning you, the president of the board most likely will give you the opportunity to respond again to the board. You can use this opportunity to answer a question you may not have been able to when you were originally asked. I've seen that this also impresses the board, because it shows you were paying attention and wish to answer the question now once you are able to recall the answer. Good luck!

Response by SFC Perry Thorington made Nov 21 at 2013 4:25 PM

SFC Perry Thorington — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 16:25:23 -0500

Just remember that they put there ACU trousers on the same way you do. Don't worry about the tone in their voice or anything else but answering the question. Pause at least one, preferably two seconds before answering even if you know the answer before they get done asking. Remember, it's basically just a question and answer session to se if you can handle the pressure and test your knowledge. On a side note, if your immediate or next line supervisor can't or won't help you then they should be fired! Remember, always take care of your soldiers and they will take care of you! It's your job, it's what a leader should live for!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2013 8:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 20:05:14 -0500

1. Memorize the NCO Creed. Say it over, and over, and over again this weekend. Record yourself saying it, play it on a loop and sleep to yourself saying it. I have never taken a Soldier to the board that passed (or even made it in) if they didn't have it memorized.

2. Tomorrow morning, get a copy of the board Memorandum of Instruction if you don't already have it from your Training Room or 1SG. Find out what topics are being covered, and then get online to Army Doctrine 2015 and read each AR that is covered.

3. You are nervous because you care- that's absolutely normal. Your chain of command wants you promoted, or they wouldn't have sent you to the board. The members recognize this- but their job is to ensure that the Soldier being sent has the basic skills needed to be an NCO. Confidence, bearing, and being able to articulate yourself well are big parts of the board. Attention to detail on the uniform, making sure that what you are wearing matches your ERB.

4. Look at just your unit. How many NCO's are assigned to your company/troop alone? Each of them has been to the exact same type of board you are going to and have passed. You'll do fine as long as you prepare.

5. Get a good night's sleep before the board, don't eat anything crazy, spicy or change your basic routine in the morning. Have a light snack the morning of so your brain isn't tired when you get in there.

6. There's a lot of good advice coming to you from what I see so far, and it's all valid. You are going to get asked stuff you don't know the answers to, just expect it. Don't get flustered and don't tell them you'll find out the answer and get back to them.

7. Know the basic unit history, when the unit was formed, where it has been deployed to, any famous Soldiers that have been assigned there. Know your chain of command from CSM and Commander from Battalion, Brigade, Regiment and Division. Know the Screaming Eagles song. (we have a rendezvous with destiny is how it starts)

8. Anyhow, good luck to you. You'll do fine.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 25 at 2013 11:29 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 11:29:57 -0500

SPC Pounds, you going to let us all know how you did on the board right? LOL

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2013 11:34 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 11:34:19 -0500

It is normal to be somewhat nervous and in fact, can work to your own advantage. Just take deep even breaths and don't try to force anything. They will already know you are a bit tense and will not exploit that, though they may test you a bit.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2013 1:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 13:57:17 -0500

As of yesterday I am promotable. Thank you for all the advice it is very much appreciated.