Should HRC place NCOs on assignment below their current skill level?

2014-03-26T19:54:09-04:00

Recently I was placed on assignment to Germany. The other
day I received my Levy packet as I reviewed my packet I saw it had me projected
to 91B20 level duty position. When I talked to my Branch Manager and told him
about this he explained its not a bad thing for me to be placed one level below
my current level. Even though I explained to him that I was holding a 40 level
position and attending SLC this summer. He could only say it was O.K. and that
the only thing i could do was check back with him every month to see if any
openings come available. My thoughts where as NCO's we should be leaning
forward and trying to advance in our careers by placing ourselves or fighting
for the duty positions with more responsibilities.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 26 at 2014 7:56 PM

2014-03-26T19:56:28-04:00

Agreed completely. I would be furious.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 26 at 2014 8:18 PM

2014-03-26T20:18:49-04:00

Point blank No, it sounds as if branch was blowing smoke up your butt so as to not have to deal with it.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 26 at 2014 8:19 PM

2014-03-26T20:19:25-04:00

While it is ok to be assigned as such, it is far from desirable to be assigned this way. I suggest you talk with Mr. Jeff Herbert (your branch manager). I have a 30 & 40 position open in Graf....I will call him later this week however, I'd like to see your ERB & last couple NCOERs

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 8:20 PM

2014-03-26T20:20:00-04:00

When a Centralized Board sees a SSG who was previously working a 4O level slot now working a 2O level slot, they are going to wonder why. Their surmise is not going to be favorable. Your Branch Manager is hosing you BIG TIME!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 11:40 PM

2014-03-26T23:40:10-04:00

I am not saying my branch manager is a bad person or not doing his job. He has helped me with deferring my orders for 90 days. Since my report date is also around the sametime my wife is due to give birth. However I do wish it was a little easier to lock in a job that would better support the soldier in his or her career and not just full filling slots.

I understand how it works, I was placed into the 40 level position because someone in my chain of command said i could do the job. I understand when I PCS if there are no 40 level slots open I would/should move back to 30 level slot. What I am getting at is HRC should be able to work with each indivual soldier to place them where they would excel and not down a skill level.

Response by SFC Aaron Calmes made Mar 26 at 2014 11:50 PM

2014-03-26T23:50:20-04:00

To get stationed in Germany at this point in my career I'd take a 10 level positon and mow grass everyday! Lol

Seriously though it won't look good as it was stated earlier the full picture won't be available to the board and even if your current NCOER is great it will look inconsistent and when they only have a short time per packet you can't afford any distractions.

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Mar 26 at 2014 11:56 PM

2014-03-26T23:56:00-04:00

To be blunt: hell no.

I would call him again and explain that that is unacceptable. You're not arguing a duty station or a special assignment. You're asking to be placed in a job that meets your qualifications.

It's not an unreasonable request in the slightest.

It's not OK at all, it could affect your career. It's one thing to be stuck behind a desk or pulling shift work at a job with no Soldiers. It's another thing altogether to be rated on a 20 level position with someone at your level about to goto SLC getting looked at for SFC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 5:18 AM

2014-03-27T05:18:37-04:00

I've been having a similar issue as far as difficulties with branch go, I took an open requisition through ASK to make an interpost transfer. Once I arrive to my new unit, I am pulled to work outside my MOS, as HQ Platoon SGT and orderly room NCOIC(of course neither are on the MTOE). While I do not mind working outside my MOS for a bit, I am always looking for my next assignment. I find out there is an opening in FT Stewart, in January 2015 and ask branch if I can have the assignment and send them the requisition number. I will have been at FT Bliss for over 3 years, and at my current unit for a year at the time of PCS. Branch tells me my unit strength is too low. I check the MTOE and to my suprise there is only 1 91B30 slot available for my current unit. I verify this information through S1 and retention. There are currently 3 91B3 in my unit, one is double slotted with a SFC and the other is holding a 91B20 slot. I explain this to my branch manager, and PDNCO. The other 91B30s are new to FT Bliss, only about 5 months on station. Of course, I never hear back from branch, although they read the emails they never respond. I do not know why it is so hard to get them to place you on assignment, I am sure if they were to show up and not have an MTOE position they would want to leave as well. Like I said, I do not mind my current position, as it provides an opportunity to expand my knowledge, but after a bit I need to get back into my MOS. I know branch gets bombarded by emails and calls but this seems like a no brainer to me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 5:28 AM

2014-03-27T05:28:07-04:00

So I recieved an email from the gaining units 1SG about what branch had me projected and asked if it was correct or an error and this is what he send me back. I'll be quite honest I was not impressed with what it had to say.

"As for your inquiry, I will slot you accordingly based off whose in the company
per my MTOE. Tentatively I have a SFC inbound that will be the Motor Sergeant.
As for the 30 level slot, I will slot accordingly per date of ranks since I have
one SSG whose currently serving as my Motor Sergeant. As I've worked a slot down
once or twice in my career, I didn't let that affect me because overall your
rating is based on your performance which is annotated on your NCOER. As you
prepare for boards, the board members will be able to identify who worked above
their level and who wasn't slotted appropriately because of MTOE's. I can assure
you that as long as you performance at a high level it will be rewarding for
you."

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 9:23 AM

2014-03-27T09:23:49-04:00

CSM Michael J. Uhlig told you he has slots available in his unit, did you send him the requested documents? There are plenty of options in Germany for a 91B. There are also NCOA slots that are constantly being filled/vacated. Don't get into a urination competition with the 1SG of the company that big Army is sending you to as that will likley land you in a 20 slot your whole time there! You started the discussion on here and have gotten a lot of personal opinions, so use the other portion of this site (the more important in this situation) and network with others like the CSM and get the job you want.

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Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 5:05 PM

2014-03-29T17:05:44-04:00

Went to FMSWeb and looked up the gaining unit in Germany. And I must say with looking at what the Battalion and Company is authorized I'm scratching my head on why branch said that's where I'm needed. Especially when their is already a SSG (less than 2yrs) there and a SFC inbound. I 'm gonna have to email branch back first thing Monday to see if there is a change. If he cant help Ill get back in touch with CSM Michael Uhlig too see what positions he has available.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Mar 31 at 2014 12:39 PM

2014-03-31T12:39:53-04:00

In any case it is always beneficial to move forward and step into a position that you have not done or one of greater responsibility. It is not conducive to work in a postion that is below your current grade as it is a step backward. Even if you are rated based on your performance you will still be rated for that duty postion which would be a 20 level duty position. Best of luck in networking your way into a better assignmentor position.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 18 at 2022 6:17 PM

2022-03-18T18:17:04-04:00

HRC has no way of knowing what anyone's skill level is, much less assigning them at, above or below it.
I assume you're referring to the 10/20/30/40 portion of the MOS code, but I'd think we'd be hard pressed to prove grade and skill have been connected for decades.