What are your thoughts on the new NCO promotion "plans"

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 18:36:58 -0500

I just read over an article on Army Times briefly outlining the new NCO promotion rules and some proposed changes. One of the proposals was the requirement of the proper level of NCOES before promotion eligibility is granted. As in WLC required for SGT, ALC required for SSG, etc.

The issue with NCOES before selection is school slots. Budget cuts caused MTT classes to be cancelled. ALC priority is E-6 right now. So a boarded E-5 may be sitting on his/her hands waiting to get an ALC slot TDY in order to be eligible for promotion.

I'm all for the education of the NCO corp. If the NCOES availability jives with this policy change then I support it.

What do you think? Logistically, is this feasible for our Army in the near future? Can big Army facilitate it? Is it their way of pumping the breaks?

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 23 at 2015 6:42 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 18:42:16 -0500

I personally think the Army made a mistake in the NCOES system when they made WLC a non-requirement for promotion to E-5 and only made it requirement if you wanted to be eligible for E-6. Had they left WLC a requirement I think the NCOES system would be in better shape. You are correct training money will be tighter and I think that TRADOC needs to begin leveraging technology for cost savings.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Feb 23 at 2015 6:44 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 18:44:55 -0500

Currently ALC slots for my MOS are only available to E-6 or if you're lucky E-5(P). If I could attend ALC in a reasonable time frame, sure make it a requirement, but right now it's not possible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2015 8:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 20:31:18 -0500

I think it is a admirable idea, but realistically, I don't think it is fair or logistically possible.

Situation:

High speed soldier goes to board, and gets waiver (which are alloted month to month, as far as I know). Soldier gets recommended... Now soldier and soldiers chain of command has to drop everything in order to get soldier to appropriate school on time. Soldier can't get a reserved seat because soldier isn't the grade that has priority at said school.

Throw in som approvals, some administrative requirements and pvt. Murphy... you've got yourself a party.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 8:20 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:20:46 -0500

It is feasible and in my opinion should be implemented, when conditions are set. It was that way when I was coming up through the ranks and it wasn't an issue because there was a NCO academy that instructed WLC and ALC on every installation (or one close enough to send a Soldier TDY).

Times are changing and with the drawdown it is not going to be as easy to make SGT/SSG as it has been the past 14 years. Look at the most recent RCP/ rank progression chart. Promotion points are going to sky rocket and only the Soldiers/NCO who go the extra mile will be able to those points. The chances of you attending ALC and not getting promoted for two years or longer will become a very real possibility (ask me how I know).

I predict that with the slow down in deployments you will see NCOES academies starting back up on most installations, along with division level pre-ranger/AASLT courses. Promotion points will be adjusted to where you will need the points received from WLC/ALC in order to get promoted.

It will probably be messy and painful for some until the ship is righted but it will eventually right itself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 9:08 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 09:08:31 -0500

My belief is that there is a need for a person to attend the proper NCOES schools before promotion (except in certain circumstances like battlefield promotions.) The reason for this is it allows for education at the proper level prior to going into a duty position where you may be woefully unprepared for.

I agree with several of the comments, however, that we need to find a way to fill up the backlog of people that are in a job that haven't been to the level apropriate school. There is a huge number of SFC that haven't been to SLC.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 8:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 08:43:31 -0500

This is just a pattern of how he promotion system runs. I have seen it change back and forth CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member. I have over 26 years of continuous service between Active and Guard.

It is a way of adjusting promotions I believe that this will assist the NCOES system with its current strain. The adjustment to this shall also slow down promotions for some to get more knowledge within certain positions and place most on the Timeline which the uppers would like to see.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 9:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 09:12:45 -0500

Its not a change, its actually a revisiting of old policy. When I joined way back when you had to attend and graduate from the requisite level of NCOES before you could get promoted. The war changed things because they needed to fill vacancies and NCOES took a back burner.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 5:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:57:17 -0400

I think it is great it shows who really wants to get promoted and who is just standing collecting dust. I went to SLC last year as a non promotable SSG and had already completed SSD-4 months prior to going. Its really not that hard to get to if your persistent. For both ALC and SLC I called my PDNCO at branch and was given a report date. The only people who I know that have issues are those who wait on S-3 to do it for them.