Master Sergeant List for FY15 posted today. Who made it?

I made it. 14 years, 2 looks. Feeling very blessed and fortunate, as I was one of only nine 35M and 35L (we compete for 35Y) that made it, and the only one in my BN and one of two MI Soldiers in the BDE.

I've had a lot of great support and opportunities. My wife is a big supporter as she is also military, and I often confer with her on things. Timing was right for me that the worst NCO in the Army (my 1SG) was relieved and forced to retire four months before I deployed, and I ended up having my company for 16 months. Right place, right time, right date of rank. Also I've had a lot of great Soldiers, platoons, and my company. You know how it is, the more senior you are, the less your NCOER is really about YOU. I usually only have MAYBE one bullet per section about me specifically. The rest is usually something my guys/gals did. So I'm also fortunate to have a bunch of people that kicked butt and took names, and then I am successful because of them (despite how cheesy that may sound).

A lot of hard work, but also a lot of fortunate events. I know there are a lot of deserving people out there that get passed up for whatever reason, be it budget cuts, no slots, or just not QUITE the right wording on an NCOER.

My suggestion, smile in your DA Photo. It's the only chance for the board to meet you. I got picked up with a smile for SFC and I was passed over last year when the photographer took my photo before I could smile and refused to re-take it. This year, I got my smile in, and got picked up.

Call it coincidence or not.

Also read the board AAR. They post almost the same stuff every year, and yet every year the same errors in the board files come out.

Congratulations to all that did and those who did not keep your head up it will come take it from a guy that has been a SFC for almost 8 yrs.

Congratulations to those of you who were selected for promotion to Master Sergeant!

For other's who were eligible, but not selected do not let this define you. Not all of us will be selected for Master Sergeant. We never volenteered to become Soldier's in the world's greatest Army to serve our Country for promotions or monitary gain.

Our rank does not define us as it is our actions that speaks volumes above anything else. Nothing is fair in life and the centralized promotion selection board is far from perfect. Admittingly there are alot of tic turds who look good on paper while they couldn't lead a troop of boy scouts down a fire trail with smokey the bear!

The only thing a non-select can do is continue to Soldier on and be the best Sergeants First Class that they can be!

Hold your head's up high and know that your service to our great nation will never go unappreciated!

Thank you for your service!!!