Prior Army E4 trying to promote E5 USAFR. Why won't they accept my Army NCOA?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:34:35 -0400

I did Army NCOA back in 2016, was denied promotion for almost 2 years after graduating from BLC, I left the Army for the Airforce Reserve still an E4 (8 years total service this Aug) I'm being told they wont accept my NCOA. Why is that?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2019 2:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 14:43:08 -0400

Ran this question by my brother who is an Air Force CMSgt. He said the same - have to attend the Air Force version - Airman Leadership School. Just the way it is.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2019 3:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 15:27:12 -0400

I'm curious as to why/how you were denied promotion for almost 2 years after BLC.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2019 6:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 18:31:17 -0400

The rules must have changed. I did PLDC, as it was known, in 1991. I took a long break in service, returning in 2005.

I did not have to retake the course. In fact, I tried to take WLC anyways so I could get a refresher, and I wasn't allowed to enroll.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2019 10:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 22:35:29 -0400

Simply put, you had too much hooah and not enough hooray. In all seriousness, it's the same reason other services' leadership schools don't usually count toward Army promotions either. Each service has a specific way they want to grow their leaders.

Response by SFC Timothy Dutcher made Jun 14 at 2019 7:07 AM

SFC Timothy Dutcher — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 07:07:30 -0400

Would it surprise you to know Walmart diess not accept Costco's leadership program as a substitute for their own? Sure it would save them money and time, but there are different components and objectives to the programs.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2019 6:47 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 06:47:45 -0400

You know, they will promote you if they have confidence that you can do the job. When I returned from Ranger School, after passing without recycling and after needing the honor grad in pre Ranger at 82nd course, I had a new squad leader. Immediately upon returning to the unit I was sent from 1SG to 1SG for an endorsement to get promoted to SGT. The all said yes. Then, my new squad leader, said I don’t know you. You have to prove yourself to me. In an infantry unit when a scout squad leader say something it pretty much carries a lot of weight. So, the BN said ok. Promotion was put on hold. I worked my butt off for eight months. The squad leader left and may or may not have ever agreed to promote me. While at PLDC, now BLC, the platoon leader and platoon sergeant can to see me and tell me that my squad leader had left and I was the new squad leader. The BN Commander had approved it and that I would soon be promoted. This off course pissed a bunch of SSGs in the battalion because an SPC was selected over all other NCOs. So, you have to gain the confidence of your leadership, you have to be good, and you also have to have a little bit of luck in timing. Do the AF course, kick but, and the timing will be there for you to succeed. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2019 1:45 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 13:45:06 -0400

Had just the opposite. I got out of the USAF as an E6 (TSgt). Went to get in the ARNG after a break in service and was told they could only take me in as an E4 and I would have to take voluntary reduction to SPC if I wanted in. Yeah, had to repeat PLDC in order to get E5 even though I had completed Air Force NCOA. Almost as bad as when the ARNG forced me to attend the "pre-command course" 6 months AFTER I had completed my time as a Company CO. Sometimes things just don't make sense and you just have to rub the lotion on your skin and do as you're told in order to not get the hose again....

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jun 22 at 2019 10:04 AM

SSG Brian G. — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 10:04:35 -0400

Why won't they take your NCOA? Simple. Different standards, different areas of emphasis and importance. While NCO's from the various branches all share similarities, they all vary slightly, subtly.

Have a drivers license from VA? Great, drive the roads all day long. Move to say AZ and take up residence and you have to take their tests to their standards of driving and road rules to get an AZ license. Same thing in changing from one branch of military to another. Things might look and feel the same but are subtle and different.