Should the use of the word "promotable" be dropped when referring to someone's rank?

Yes! Technically promotable doesn't count until you have a date, in that light most people use the term wrong. also while the status should be considered by commanders and such for assignments, i do not feel it helps anything in daily duties and should not be used in ones rank.

In my opinion, your either are a SSgt or you are a Sgt. Promotable means nothing, you don't get anything from it. In the USMC when you are selected for SSgt, you automatically get to stand Officer of the Day at the Battalion level which is a lot more responsibility than standing Duty NCO at the barracks. Is there a written regulation that requires a person to called "promotable". Looks like a neither world where nothing exists.

heard it to many times in the 90s

Actually i kinda believe it should, sounds tacky.

The "P" status and a couple bucks will buy you a cup of coffee. I never used it as a status. Either you are or you're not. I'm glad there are those who've got the points, passed the board and ready for the next rank. Take pride in that, not the "want-a-be" status.

It's only significant when your up for general officer, "COL (P)".

It should not be used in conversation. Having said that, particularly for Senior NCOs and Field Grade Officers, there is relevance in correspondence to listing the (P) after your rank. That is the ONLY place that it has relevance, however.

It seems like most people who mention it are people who want to be noticed more instead of doing their jobs.

I never understood the purpose of it. Can someone explain what and why it is?