Should the Army Reserves and National Guard require a promotion board as they do AD soldiers?

We do have boards. However due to manning restrictions of PT service, our file goes to the board. Promotions are hard enough in the Guard/Reserves!!! Why make it more difficult. We've proven over the past 15 years that our abilities equal that of Active troops.

The board is not just about how you look in your uniform, but it's paramount in the basic description of a Soldier. The board is necessary to see how you react under pressure, when faced with difficult or easy questions. If you can't perform infront of your superiors well enough how will you perform infront of your subordinates, and the public when tasked to do such. The board also shows the Soldiers ability to study and retain what he/she learned. Same thing goes if we should test out like other branches i.e. Airforce/Navy. I think the Army has the best promoting system because it puts 60% of the soldiers points in his/her hands, so either go out and accomplish them or sit back get passed up and or separated accordingly. Just my thoughts.

Yes, promotion boards are the best way for the Command to manage and select the best qualified soldiers. Bottom line: This is typically CSM/1SG business and the board process helps shape the future NCO leadership of all the Commands.

For what rank are you referring to? Active duty boards are centralized for most ranks outside of junior promotions and even junior enlisted get promoted automatically unless the commander can give just cause not to.

The Army has had centralized promotions for years because their records have been in PERMS. The Reserve Boards have been moving that way with the biggest obstacle being the conversion all of the Soldier's records to PERMs. Officers records were almost 100% in the Reserves for years now, enlisted not so much. The Reserves is modeling AD, not the other way around.

When I was promoted to SGT I had to stand a board. By the time SSG rolled around the Reserve went to a paper board. Due to time restrictions and such, it was a good way to go. Later on as a unit NCOIC (acting 1SG) I sat on several boards. A lot of work goes into the boards. As a SGM I Presided over promotion boards. Promotion in the Reserve is the same as Active Duty, we use the same forms and such, just our boards are paper and AD-they stand. I've heard National Guard is different, but can't say or will not comment on their process.

Should? Absolutely. It is possible? Unfortunately no. I've been a board member myself and I can't agree more with having the service member present during the promotion board. Almost anybody can meet the minimum requirement and "look good" on paper. However; as someone expressed before; it is almost impossible due to how geographical dispersed are most of the Reserve/NG units from their BN's.

I am an AGR Soldier and I've said for the longest that I personally believe it's backwards. Everyday I come to work and show my proficiency in my field and my ability to handle the tasks at hand, while TPU Soldiers put together paperwork to make themselves look good and sit back and wait for promotion. I believe TPU soldiers should be required to present themselves before the board, it would make most work harder and study harder than they currently do. AGR Soldiers promotions should be based off their packet and also their work performance (if their packet is submitted within their chain of command). Ultimately Commanders have the sign the packet so as an AGR Soldier if my commander signs is that not good enough to say I'm good at what I do without presenting myself?
Just my 2 cents

I believe we should go back to physical board appearances for SGT and SSG promotions. I believe its a testament to a Soldiers willingness, eagerness and drive to prepare to go in front of a board of your senior leaders. I think its mutually beneficial for both the recommended Soldier and the board members, 1) the entire experience from studying to appearing at the board is good for development and 2) it allows for our senior leaders to gauge promotion and leadership potential and provide good mentorship to junior Soldiers.

-I would say I'm slightly bias because on this topic because I'm an AGR Soldier and I had to go before an AD board for my promotion, but I will also say it was a great experience and I learned a lot not only from studying but the feedback I received at the board as well - which is something you can't get from a paper board.

It would be nice to weed out the rifraff from getting undeserved promotions. The truth is we simply do not have the time!
The traditional M-Day Soldier has a packet that gets submitted to a board. They convene and conduct a paper board, which is where the points come from on the EPS lists. This board is weighted differently with the administrative points for different ranks.

For command positions from the 1SG and up there are still regular, face to face military boards. AGR hiring also requires a board to interview. So do select statewide vacancies, but some SWVA's are done by paper board as well.

In the end, if you are an NCO and don't feel that one of your troops should be promoted, do the due diligence to stop it! Don't recommend promotion in your reviews, and have the counseling forms to show why. Explain to your command why the Soldier is not ready so they will not be added to the list. Then provide the training that Soldier needs to advance.

I think they should but it's not going to happen. I know I'm not driving to another state just to stand in a board. They wouldn't pay me either. The Reserves are spread out entirely to much. I'm in Ohio and my battalion is in New York. Brigade is at Benning and Div HQ is in North Carolina.