Posted on Apr 25, 2017
Should I update my Class A's for a lateral promotion?
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In short, I have been holding an E-5 slot since January, and was laterally promoted from Specialist to Corporal while awaiting BLC in September. My unit will not be performing a Class A inspection until December, nor do I think I'll need my Class A's until then. Should I update the rank to CPL or leave it until after BLC and the official promotion?
Posted in these groups: Minnesota ARNG
Promotions
CPL
SGT
Basic Leaders Course (BLC formerly WLC PLDC)
Promotions CPL SGT Basic Leaders Course (BLC formerly WLC PLDC)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 49
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Honestly, I think if you are even asking that question then you are not ready to be an NCO.
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SSG (Join to see)
All due respect Sir, if I'm not mistaken the entire purpose of Rally Point is to be able to ask question from fellow service members in a professional manner, for the entire purpose of gaining knowledge from those with more expertise or experience. I'm an E-4 in a National Guard unit; I'm not pretending to be anything I'm not. Thanks for taking 5 seconds to make that uncalled for analysis. I'm sure you never had dumb questions as a young soldier or officer.
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LTC (Join to see)
I have had many dumb questions, and still do, but if one of the most basic uniform requirements, i.e. your rank, is a concern then maybe you need to do a little self evaluation. Being an NCO means not only being a leader, but being ready at a moment's notice for whatever might come. As far a being in a National Guard unit, that is really not important, you are a Soldier, and if you are an NCO then you need to act like it and square your uniform away. Just because you do not think you will not need your uniform until December does not mean that things won't change.
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SPC John Lebiecki
SSG (Join to see) - Nobody was questioning whether you are pretending to be anything. LTC Husted brought up a valid point. National Guard or not, an NCO is an NCO. You should be proud of your lateral promotion as somebody must have the faith and trust in you to lead soldiers. It should reflect on your uniforms. Lets put it like this (if I was still in.) I walk up to you in an ASU inspection, and you're wearing SPC (same as me) how would I know that you were an NCO?
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You never know when you may be called upon for a formal function. Corporal (Hardstripe) is something to be extra proud of. Your uniform should always reflect CURRENT status. Otherwise you end up having to make excuses about why you are out of uniform.
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NO! I think you should leave it be so your supervisors will have the opportunity to exercise their leadership when you fail to wear the correct rank at the Soldier of the Quarter board, or surprise inspection, or community relations event that pops up.....
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The Boy Scout motto comes to mind. "BE PREPARED." Yes, update your Class A's.
A "war story" comes to mind. One of my uncles during WW2 was in Patton's Army - infantry. During an unannounced inspection, as the General was going down the line, soldier-to-soldier, he noticed that some of their uniforms, my uncle's included, had a different shade where they had removed the rank.
To each man, including my uncle, he'd ask them their rank. When my uncle, and the others would reply ... well, to my uncle he said, "No! You are now a PRIVATE!" My uncle was a SGT or SSG.
Despite the General's actions, their Company Commander ketp them in their leadership roles and after a month or so, they all got their stripes back. Thereafter, my uncle kept a fatigue shirt with his rank for any formal formation. Otherwise he and his fellow NCO's still had not patches on what theiy'd wear in the field.
A "war story" comes to mind. One of my uncles during WW2 was in Patton's Army - infantry. During an unannounced inspection, as the General was going down the line, soldier-to-soldier, he noticed that some of their uniforms, my uncle's included, had a different shade where they had removed the rank.
To each man, including my uncle, he'd ask them their rank. When my uncle, and the others would reply ... well, to my uncle he said, "No! You are now a PRIVATE!" My uncle was a SGT or SSG.
Despite the General's actions, their Company Commander ketp them in their leadership roles and after a month or so, they all got their stripes back. Thereafter, my uncle kept a fatigue shirt with his rank for any formal formation. Otherwise he and his fellow NCO's still had not patches on what theiy'd wear in the field.
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Update, Update, Update!!! I had a similar thing happen to me back in the day... ended up having to fly home due to a death in the family and was so glad I wasn't still sporting my sham shields on my Class A's. Unfortunately, shortly after returning, I got injured and ended up with a medical instead of another stripe. :-(
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Definitely update now i am currently in BLC and they will inspect your ASUs slick to make sure its clean and address any adjustments that need to be made
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SSG (Join to see) if you were active I would say without a doubt update as soon as you received paperwork and promoted to any rank you update your uniform as you never know when you'll need it. As a reservist/national guard you should as well, because you may be called for funeral detail or asked to do something. September is a bit away.
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