What do you think about promotions to Sergeant (E-5) without going to a board?

I don't agree with automatic promotions. I do however believe E7 and about should have to attend a real board as well. The majority of toxic leadership would be weeded out by doing this.

Well, I am on the fence on this. When you run into seniors who sound like Jethro Clampit doing math and you wonder how he made it and the guy you'd follow to hell is still a SSG, it makes you question the board process for the top three and officers. Then you run into a board bandit who cannot tie his shoes but can smoke a board since that is what they do. It all depends on the person. Some do great no matter how you promote, some do not. Some are great leaders and look terrible on paper and do poorly at boards. One standard does not fit all like we think it should.

Now, I wonder why you ask. Have you been to the board and and cannot make the points but a former peer made points with no board? Do not hold a grudge, he did not make the rules. I had a Soldier who made the list without the board or recomendation when this came out in 05 or 06. His peers destroyed him and had zero respect for him as a leader because of the board. He was not a bad Soldier but was beat up over the whole deal. He simply had not paid his dues and his peers let him know.

Disagree with this wholeheartedly. I made E5 the first time in 1984. After going to PNCOC(which is what it was before PLDC) and going before a Board in 1983. Train before promote is my belief.

unfair

It should be automatic after two years if you are in good standing. For soldiers that have to remain as an E4 SPC, there should be a Spec2 level and Spec 3 level. Soldiers, at least in Reserve units, stay an E4 too ling because they don't know what to do to get promoted beside time in service.

It should be automatic. I have been a SPC for 5 years plus, and been to the Middle East three years ago and am still not leading soldiers. It is forgotten about by leaders, it should be automatic after a couple of years as a SPC or bring back a SPC 2 or 3 rank for those that have to stay an E4 a while.

It's wrong.

One issue that I have heard come up in regards to the automatic promotion, is it takes away involvement / recommendations, from the hands of command. People are being promoted that have zero leadership skills and I see it already causing conflict in smaller units. I think that at least a packet should have to be submitted and have a sign off from those that know the soldiers, such as 1st SGT, PLT SGT ect. Another issue that I've seen first hand, was a soldier that met the requirements but felt he was not ready for E5 yet, that's why he hadn't put in for it yet. Now he has no choice in the matter and is being thrown to the wolves so to speak.

That is a blessing. It may seem a bit unfair, because some of us had to EARN our promotions. That seems like "that's just the way it is". There will always be some who are given things they may not necessarily deserve. I know of situations like that. But to those that join the NCO Corps I say a hearty, "Hooah!" I am right behind you!

I personally think the board doesn't prepare you for leadership, it only makes you think on your feet, and recite memorized lines. However the issue for automatic promotions shouldn't be one, as the commander still must give a recommendation for promotion. For the most part, commanders don't have one on one interaction with the majority of the E-4's within their command. This being said, they will ask the NCO's who do have contact with them for guidance. So if the Soldier is a dirt bag, a nonproductive member of the unit, or either not ready for a leadership role or not willing to take on responsibilities delegated to he or she the commander will in turn be notified of this and not give a recommendation for promotion.