What are my best chances to get promoted to SSG?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:19:22 -0400

I'm a SGT have completed my time as a TL and looking for career progression ideas.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 13 at 2015 11:22 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:22:19 -0400

Are your points maxed out? If not, what is holding you back from maxing them out? If you are unable to max out the PT or weapons qualification, and have the room to raise points in say education, I would look there.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 13 at 2015 11:22 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:22:53 -0400

Hard work doesn't go unnoticed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 11:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:29:19 -0400

The moment you pinned on SGT you should've been working on your SSG. People tend to say "Max your APFT score", I'll tell you, "do the best you can" because it's easy to say "Max" without knowing the individual's limitations. Max weapons score, awards, military schools, civilian Ed, and go to ALC.

Your promotion depends on your MOS cut off points, if you can, give a little more information on that so we can look at where you're at.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 11:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:31:11 -0400

Depends on the Army! You do control your career! I mean reclass if possible! I'm in the same boat as you! So we have to do our research!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 11:31 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:31:32 -0400

Make sure you prempitively have the next SSD level done, bring it up with your command and discuss furthering your career with them. I've found that often times command staff get busy but when you show an interest in your future they will too. Beyond that I can't say. That's a bridge I can't cross yet myself :)

Response by SGT Raquel Zornes made Aug 13 at 2015 11:39 AM

SGT Raquel Zornes — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:39:15 -0400

Check your awards, check your qualifications, check your education, PT, check your NCOERs. Look at where you can improve or add. Check the points and availability. Start asking about the promotion board. Do the same old---write down your goals. Short term, long term and what is going to get you there. Good Luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 11:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:44:22 -0400

Hope our points drop from being maxed. And when they are do, you have enough. Check your 3355 for what areas you are lacking in and work on those areas. As for positions, work hard and take on additional duties.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 11:57 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:57:02 -0400

I checked your points and did a 12 month average for SSG.

PZ average - 738
SZ average - 788

Like SGT Petters said, you control your career. If you want to fast track or look at a different field, I recommend reclass. Perhaps 31D which is within the same field. This is the 12 month average for 31D.

PZ average - 566
SZ average- 665

I wish you good luck in your search battle.

Response by 1SG Jason Fitzpatrick made Aug 13 at 2015 12:12 PM

1SG Jason Fitzpatrick — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:12:11 -0400

I didn't know that there was a time limit for Team Leader. I was a team leader for several years either as a Corporal or a Sergeant. If your NCOER doesn't say from your reviewer "the Best Team leader that I supervise" or something to that effect, you are not done with your Team Leader time. You should be perfecting your skills as a leader and working with several other leaders, gathering as much information as you can so that when you are promoted, you will bring all that you know assist and teach your Soldiers with the issues that will be brought to your plate. Another respondant stated that hard work doesn't go unnoticed, and that is correct. Be the very best team leader that you can be and never, ever start thinking about yourself before you think of your Soldiers. Are all of you Soldiers prepared to take your position when you move up? If not, you have taks still on your plate that need to be completed.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 1:00 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 13:00:28 -0400

I always told my troops to set thermselves apart from each other. What are you doing to make you rise above the rest?

Response by SGT Bradley L. made Aug 13 at 2015 4:30 PM

SGT Bradley L. — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:30:21 -0400

Your best chance at getting promoted is being the best SGT and TL you can be. How are you ranked on your NCOER against the other TL in your platoon? I know when I retired every E-5 in my platoon was ranked from top to bottom, and guess what if you weren't in the top 50% you got the counseling telling you that you weren't going to be recommended for promotion. You got to constantly be learning, and demonstrating you have the ability to be recommended; however, you can't be consumed with making yourself look good. No one likes the guy who get's every school, and only thinks about advancing himself and not bettering the Army.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 9:59 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 09:59:28 -0400

Several people have already offered you some great advice on what to do personally to enhance your chances of getting promoted. I would offer as a reminder that we are in a shrinking force right now. Sequestration is still on going and cuts to authorizations are still being implemented. Don't take it personal that you are not being selected, many good NCOs are not getting picked and some senior NCOs are being sent home because we (army) just don't have enough slots to fill anymore (thanks to congress and POTUS). But let's focus on the positive, you are still in and still competing. Keep doing great things and your hard work will eventually be recognized.

Response by SSG Daniel OBrien made Sep 15 at 2015 1:45 PM

SSG Daniel OBrien — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:45:05 -0400

If you are now just looking you are way late. Look 2 ranks up and do those jobs and requirements. Lead from the front and you can't go wrong. Go drill while at FLW since you are already there. Ask YOUR leadership and follow their advice.