Should there be an automatic promotion to E5 or E6 if you just get the required points?

Let's just clear up the fact that there is no such monster as an "automatic" promotion. A commander at the company level signs off saying to integrate Soldiers into the "Command list Integration" promotion. So while they don't attend a board, the PSG and 1SG (ideally) agree to let them be put on that list. The commander then authorizes it with his signature.

Lazy leadership that don't want to counsel Soldiers is a big contributor to some of the slackers getting on this list. The leaders are lazy and don't want to counsel, and they figure the Soldier won't make cut off anyways because the very low points and inability to add points until actually boarded.

SGT,

Depends on what you mean by your statement. If you are truly 'slacking off' then no I don't think you should be promoted; however, making points for an MOS that requires significant effort to obtain isn't really seen as slacking. So are you talking about MOS' with low points and soldiers making the cut? In my circumstance, my promotion points are at 14 and I have almost 500 points, but my unit refuses to send me to a promotion board and refuses to put a justification in writing (counseling statement). According to Army promotion statistics the average promotion points for soldiers selected for SSG in my MOS is around 350. I would think that from an outside perspective without even viewing my ERB or knowing my leadership competencies, you could look at these trends and my points and reasonably assume that I am not a slacker. I know soldiers getting promoted all the time with the bare minimum in point accumulation. The reason this happens is because Army leadership cares about their personal perspective of a soldier over that soldiers actual competencies. My opinion is that I am not going to the promotion board because I stick my neck out for what is right on a frequent and consistent basis. My senior leadership (not my direct chain of command) have determined that makes me a trouble-maker for them and is putting a stop on by chain of command's recommendation. My point is that a soldier may not be afforded the opportunity by his leadership to go to the promotion board. What you may see as slacking may be resentment from a constant battle of trying to get to the board with severe backlash. Not saying this is always the case, but it certainly seems that way in my situation.

There should never be a promotion based on points. Experience, time, dedication and how you carry yourself matter more than points.

WOW our army has changed .....I served from 1987-2010 so you might call me old fashioned ...but the last few years of my service I was surprised about the lack of leadership training my follow NCO'S got in the Schools and there peers.

Should a slacker get promoted? NO. Demoted maybe.

Not just no, but hell no. I don't believe in automatic any grade. All grades should be earned.

Usually your leadership won't send you if they do not think you are ready. Given this I do have mixed feelings on the issue.

Automatic promotions are really rare in the Naval Service, but I recall a situation where a young S-3 office was standing in my office and "discussing" how a newly promoted MSG (Marine Corps) could have been promoted given that he was a slacker, lazy, etc. and my comment back to him was. You sir, among others, gave him glowing fitness marks in all fields, and now you have to live with the fire you have built. If there is a honest, and valid process of "fitness marks - not sure of the USA, USAF term), no one unqualified for any reason, should be promoted as they would have been screened out. Then again, in the Navy all promotions are examination based, with fitness marks added into the final score.

You've identified what you feel is a problem. However being that there are leaders who make those decisions based on their evaluation of the Soldier, is not your choice to make. However providing the outstanding leadership, teaching, coaching, and mentoring, you have the capability to prevent toxic leadership from developing through the Soldiers or section that you lead. Understand you can't stop all... And understand that top leaders don't always know that some leaders serving under them are or may be toxic. All they know is... Every time I give this NCO a task, he or she lead, developed, and achieved every time. So in their eyes, they work hard, and they are a dependable asset to the organization. It's blinding at times, but don't let your emotions get in the way of this business. Continue to educate yourself, apply your knowledge, network for growth, and develop productively at all times.

No