On active duty, when you go to the board to get your E-5, what's it like? What do they ask you?

Confidence is key. You want to portray a calm professional demeanor. You should get a checklist of the topics that will be discussed during the board. Some leaders like plain black and white questions like (what regulation covers uniform and appearance for example) and others like scenario based questions like ( what do you do if a Soldier does ______?) Talk to your squad leader and he can help you prepare when your time comes by doing mock boards so you can have a feel of what will happen.

They'll ask you about Army knowledge, knowledge of your unit, perhaps what you do and how you do it, but it's much more than a simple Q&A-therein lies the trick if there is one. It's an evaluation of the soldier standing before them: their poise & bearing, confidence, etc.

It's a little stressful your 1st couple boards because you don't know what to expect. But the biggest thing is bearing. Remain calm, cool, and collected. Typical things they ask are rules and regulations, history and traditions, etc. Sometimes they might throw in a "trick question". Like asking males what female uniform regulations or vice versa. Don't stress it, you'll be fine.