What do you do when you're nearing the end of an assignment?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:59:40 -0400

When you're nearing the end of an assignment, what action do you take?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 3:02 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:02:54 -0400

yep

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 3:03 PM

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:03:19 -0400

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 11 at 2014 3:42 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:42:28 -0400

I chose "other" and this is my logic. I always tried to work closely with my branch manager to find assignments that stuck a good balance between personal and professional success (not always an easy balance to maintain! LOL!) I would say choice #1 is out unless you enjoy taking a gamble. Choice #2 would have very limited potential; open positions do not necessarily mean the position is available for assignment (could already be an individual on assignment, could be a low priority fill.. etc.). Option 3 is an excellent choice if you are wanting a special duty assignment, especially if you haven't had one yet. Option 4, in my opinion, is best for any Army SSG and below with under 10 years (not that others couldn't use it as well). If I were to recommend it would be talk to your Career Counselor first, even if you do want to volunteer/apply for a special duty assignment. They have the most up to date info on most programs.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 1:15 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 01:15:33 -0400

Look at my MOS career map and confer with mentors to determine what assignment would be most beneficial for growth and development. Then meet with the S1 strength manager to see what assignments are available. Cross check what's available with the assignments I need and then sit down with household 6 to ensure she is aware of where we need to go and narrow choices down to top 3. Then send a request to my branch manager asking for 1 of those 3 requisitions. Provide most recent ERB and last 3 NCOERs to support the request and then PRAY! If it's time to ask for a nominative position (EO, IG, Drill, Recruiter, Instructor, AC-RC, Defense Attache, etc..) then research AR 614-200 to see if I qualify and submit nomination packet.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 1:22 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 01:22:19 -0400

Also, your career counselor can only help if you are trying to get an assignment as part of a reenlistment. Your primary choice is your Professional Development NCO (PDNCO) who works as or with your assignment manager at HRC. Don't get me wrong, Career Counselors are AWESOME people! But sometimes you need advice from within your career field. Seek out a senior NCO, like your MENTOR. Everyone should have a MENTOR! And if you don't' have one, then connect with me and I'll do my best to be yours!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 7:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 07:03:21 -0400

I'm a believer in the idea that we make our careers. I talk to our rep constantly to see what is available and what is best. There's a reason that I picked up an O-5 position as an O-3 and why I'm among about 10 out of 120 biochemists who deployed over the last 10 years. I petitioned for it, constantly.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 12 at 2014 7:51 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 07:51:40 -0400

Always call branch. If you wait for them to arbitrarily assign you, instead of having a hand in it, you've no one but yourself to blame if you get dealt an "icky" assignment.

Response by SSG Jeff Principe made Jun 12 at 2014 7:54 AM

SSG Jeff Principe — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 07:54:29 -0400

Not sure if it is still allowed or if they have cut that line of communication, but we use to call our branch manager to see what was available. They can put you on the orders for the next assignment.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jun 12 at 2014 9:15 AM

SFC Stephen Carden — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 09:15:41 -0400

I have never been a fan of the "wait and see" approach. I have gotten some of the best assignments of my career by asking for them!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 10:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:02:35 -0400

I also look at back door channels to CSMs that I have been with in the past to see what their unit strenght is and what they need in Senior NCOs. Now granted Battalion CSMs dont always see the big picture as the Divison CSMs so if I know them I will shoot them a message.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 10:59 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:59:57 -0400

I cry tears of joy then realize it could very well be a worse assignment.......

Continuity book (though have talked to my replacements a few times and they "thumb through it". And mine is very details with screenshots by step with arrows and descriptions....

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jun 12 at 2014 11:05 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:05:11 -0400

I would always try to use my network of people I knew around the Army to find open positions at duty stations that I wanted to go to.

Response by SFC Timothy Riser made Jun 12 at 2014 11:57 AM

SFC Timothy Riser — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:57:59 -0400

I also call my Branch to ask what is available.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 12 at 2014 10:08 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 22:08:01 -0400

I put my name on top of the paper and turn it in. Works for me most of the time.

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made Jun 13 at 2014 12:23 AM

1SG Frank Rocha — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 00:23:41 -0400

when I was a PFC, and serving a tour in Korea, I was in my 7th month and had not received a PERSGRAM (at least that's what it was called at the time) so I was "advised" to call my branch manager to see what assignments I might be able to choose from. I was informed that if I allowed the system to generate an assignment for me it may not be as favorable as if I called ahead. I ended up in an amazing assignment.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 4:29 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 04:29:18 -0400

Branch should have been contacted a long time ago by the time your assignment is coming to an end. Now the focus should be on getting your continuity book in order and training your replacement if they have already arrived at the unit. The goal is to leave every organization better than when you found it.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 13 at 2014 7:18 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 07:18:31 -0400

Make sure your troops are trained and Leaders Book is prepared for new leadership. I've found that the best leaders books also have a narrative attached indicating who you can reach out to (including a little about the personality of that individual/section)

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 11 at 2014 6:43 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 06:43:11 -0400

I got this one. I pack my bags for the transfer.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 11:33 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:33:59 -0500

Work with others and figure out if there is a way I can get to an assignment that I would enjoy. Sometimes location, units, closeness to extended family!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 4:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 16:14:04 -0400

I started thinking about what I wanted next in my career, and wanted to broaden my leadership and communication skills, so I volunteered for Recruiting and thought I was doing everything right to line myself up for that assignment. I was surprised to see that instead I was put into an AIT PLT SGT position. At first I was surprised by the change, seeing as I had already received the green light go from USAREC and branch. BUT after the dust settled I realized this upcoming assignment falls in the same wheel house as Recruiter, and can push me towards the leader I know I can be.
So I guess my answer is even if you try to prepare yourself, and try to make all the right moves, the Army can still surprise you.
So get all of your ducks in a row, prepare your replacement and study up on what your next position will be.