What are some tips & tricks for a junior enlisted to become a Non-Commissioned Officer?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:32:09 -0400

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Sep 29 at 2020 4:37 PM

SSG Steven Borders — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:37:12 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member There really are no tricks, really comes down to hard work and dedication. Grab and do everything to get points, ACFT, Weapons, Awards, Military Education and time. Don't rush it as to many SM's get promoted early and are not ready. Anyone can be an NCO, but it takes time to become a Leader.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 4:37 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:37:22 -0400

Act like the job you want to have.

For you :
Be where you’re supposed to be
Be there on time or early
Get your requirements done (fitness, medical, weapons qual, admin, etc).

Once you are squared away, go square away your squad mates. If a squad mate struggles to shoot, struggles with fitness, has a personal problem, help them. Run with them, be with them, empower them.

You do those things, you are an NCO, regardless of what the front of your hat says.

Also, if you are doing all of those things, they will no noticed.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 29 at 2020 4:42 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:42:59 -0400

Hit all the soldier of the month boards, those give you board experience. PT stud, know your MOS. Take the Correspondence courses for your MOS. Take every course offered to you. Don't be a shammer. Help those who need it. If a person in your squad can't pass their PT test be there to help him/her. Don't be afraid to take on new challenges, yes you will mistakes, but you will learn from those mistakes. Mistakes will make you better just don't keep making the same mistake twice. Learn your respective AR's, TM's, FM's, Pub's and what ever else applies. Be that person people seek out. Just don't be a know it all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 4:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:54:30 -0400

Honestly, work hard and take any extra duties—volunteer for everything. Work hard and develop yourself. Start working on leadership skills.

Best of all seek mentorship from your NCO's let them know what you want to promote and seek their guidance. Work on Army writing skills I once had a commander reject my memo several times until I got it perfect I learned a lot about Army writing that day.

Army Carerr tracker is excellent to learn.steps you need to better yourself as a soldier start today and use this excellent tool to develop yourself as a soldier.

The times I grew the most is when I stepped outside of my comfort zone and learned a new task. As a leader you may be assigned tasks that are difficult or outside of your comfort area take these tasks and learn ask questions.

Don't be afraid to fail (First Attempt at Learning) now is the time to show leadership you have what it takes to be a excellent NCO.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 4:55 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:55:29 -0400

The trick...as it were...is to get as many points as humanly possible. That involves schools, Weapons, Awards, etc..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 5:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 17:28:12 -0400

AR 600-8-19 Enlisted Promotions and Reductions. The reg has a list of categories for points to make E5 and E6. Develop a plan on how you are going to max out all the categories. You may need to prioritize the easy gains initially by doing things like correspondence courses. There are also ways to gain points that you may not have known about previously. READ THE REG!

Response by SGT(P) Christopher Poole made Sep 29 at 2020 5:38 PM

SGT(P) Christopher Poole — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 17:38:48 -0400

There are some very good points here in this section for joes (just like me) working their way up in the ranks to see.

Also, besides promotion points, self development and how well you treat others, along with communication skills and how effective (in general) someone is makes a good leader. Most people now in many ranks are just the "rank" and have barely anything to show for it besides just picking up; they're more a rank and not an actual "leader/mentor". It's important to continue seeking out ways to improve on many areas vs becoming stagnant along the way. For promotion, Points are a major thing in thing in the Army game, but joes shouldn't only do things for points, because the army isn't a long term time investment/career for everyone. Self development, putting in the work and continuous growth will provide substantial results to the person and the rest of his/her team along the way.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Sep 29 at 2020 11:37 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 23:37:11 -0400

boards go to boards.. study.. ask questions.. be proficient at anything.. excel at PT tests.. shoot expert... learn how to do everything an SGT does now.. then learn how to do the next level.. read tms.. no everything about maintenance on vehicles.. volunteer in the community.. know more than the next guy without being conceited.. and show you know it.. get all the schools you can.. and most of all.. always take the hard right over the easy wrong especially when no one is looking.. trust me someone probably is and you don't see it....be best

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2020 1:24 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 01:24:54 -0400

Tricks? Never heard of any. As a battery First Sergeant what prompts me to recommend someone to the promotion board? First; meet all requirements to attend the board. Soldiers who consistently separate themselves from their peers. How? Always exceeding Army standards, superior MOS and Army knowledge, above standards ACFT score. The soldier who has discipline, emotional intelligence, good communication skills, those who seek self improvement, the one who leads by example. The one that is always looking for harder tasks, that's the soldier I recommend to attend to the board.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Sep 30 at 2020 7:57 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 07:57:27 -0400

There is a ton of fantastic advice on here. That is why I love being a part of this community!

I am going to oversimplify this for you. When I went back in, my goal was not to get promoted as quickly as possible. It was to observe and learn. I simply took advantage of the opportunities in front of me. I promised myself I would work harder than everyone else and never sidestep anything.

It is amazing what’s right in front of you if you take the time to look. Very few people want to work above what they see as their level of responsibility. Be that person that steps up. The one that is looking to take things on, and isn’t scared to fail. Be the person that jumps at every school, no matter what it is. Look at it as improving yourself rather than looking to get promoted. Start this attitude at the level you are at now, and carry it with you. You will find that the promotions come pretty naturally. Possibly even quicker than you would like at times.

Response by 1SG Todd Sullivan made Sep 30 at 2020 9:57 AM

1SG Todd Sullivan — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:57:02 -0400

Work harder than everyone else, integrity, and always accept responsibility for your actions and the actions of your Soldiers because they are a direct reflection of your leadership.

Response by SGT Michael Hearn made Sep 30 at 2020 12:16 PM

SGT Michael Hearn — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 12:16:58 -0400

Hello soldier, Get all the leadership training you can. go to NCO development school.
take all the sub course that you can , check the cut-off score for you MOS You have to be an e 4 before you can be an E5

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Sep 30 at 2020 2:47 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 14:47:13 -0400

I hate saying back in the day, but nail your PT tests, qualify expert on the range, know your job, take extracurricular classes if you can. Control the things you can control, and work hard, don’t bitch, don’t complain.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Sep 30 at 2020 11:46 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 23:46:39 -0400

I want to say "Do your best, follow your leadership, and be proficient". That isn't the answer though. Junior promotions are board driven and therefore impression driven. That means you have to perform at least at an understated outstanding level of competence while knowing how to let your supervisor know you are interested without bugging that NCO with "Suckupitis". The idea is supreme competence with a balance between humbleness and drive.
Once you get to the rank I retired at, it takes some insight into tact while exemplifying competence to get noticed, rated, and showcased. I didn't excel in the tact or the poster child part so I didn't get promoted. I understand that. So, I will say that you absolutely HAVE to keep up with PT while developing your competence, tact, leadership in Soldier development, and mastery of management.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2020 12:50 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 00:50:43 -0400

In my opinion Soldier Of The Month/Quarter (etc) boards is the best way to become knowledgeable enough to be an NCO and actually be one in the eyes of your future subordinates. It will give you plenty of Awards (Promotion Points), confidence, and qualification to lead. If you are afraid of them - go! The first few times will be scary, after that - easy.
On the other side, it is easy to stand out by simply taking your daily, seemingly insignificant tasks seriously. Just the fact that you are asking such a question says to me you won't have to wait too long. Good luck!

Response by CW5 Jack Gaudet made Mar 28 at 2021 10:53 AM

CW5 Jack Gaudet — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 10:53:51 -0400

Be where you are supposed to be, be doing what you are supposed to be doing

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Sep 12 at 2021 4:42 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 16:42:01 -0400

Learn your job first. Become technically and tactically proficient. Keep your PT score up, don't just do the minimum. Work to be expert with your weapon. Look in your unit for an NCO who you think is a good NCO and use them as a mentor.

Response by MSG Kevin Elliott made Sep 12 at 2021 7:42 PM

MSG Kevin Elliott — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 19:42:50 -0400

There really aren't any tricks. You have to take responsibility for yourself and be prepared. Know your job, and know as much of your supervisor's job as possible. That is the position you are trying to get to. Most of the points that everyone has mentioned are up to you: PT, Weapons Qualification, Military Training/Education, and Civilian Education. Awards can be a pain, depending on your unit and your job. Going to boards, Soldier/Trooper of the Month/Quarter will give you experience, and prepare you for the actual Promotion Board. If your Platoon Sergeant doesn't already have a mentoring plan, ask to discuss it with them, and ask to lead portions of PT or call cadence when you are marching, or act as an assistant instructor. I know they said never volunteer, but sometimes volunteering will give you some experience and get you some face-time with those who matter.
I rotated my junior enlisted soldiers through leading PT, calling cadence, leading maintenance in the motor pool, etc. I discussed promotion and what was required with the senior specialists in my platoon, in addition to their monthly counseling. That let me know who wanted to be promoted and who was looking for help in that area. Work with your Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant and let them know that promotion is what you are looking for.