What do you think should be done about a service member that does not promote?

The CO could transfer that person but if that person is really good at what he does then he will probably stay there until he gets out. Or you could transfer to another place that moves faster. Remember that regs say you have to have time in grade for promotion but nothing says that you get promoted just because you have time in grade.

Said sm should have a paper trail so that sm can be processed out. Sounds like you have a dud and a cancer, and should be removed. Sounds like you have a sub standard soldier

That's why COUNSELING is important, you can send somebody home, YES, for lack of performance.

In my very humble opinion, I feel that the 'up or out' mentality the military takes is the wrong approach. It's a fairly simple concept to understand that some people just don't make good leaders. Some people enjoy doing the job that they're currently doing, fulfilling their responsibilities and duties honorably, and are good at what they do. Why can't we expand on the skill sets that these soldiers have instead of forcing them out of their position and kicking them out the door?

I feel that army needs to offer each soldier the same opportunities to advance themselves. If these soldiers aren't looking to advance and aren't looking to leave their position, then they should be passed over and the next readily available soldier should be given the same opportunity.

Retention may start to become an issue though and we might run into a handful of soldiers that find a sweet spot and twiddle their thumbs and collect a check. To mitigate this, when a soldier is eligible for BLC, ALC, or whichever advancement classes and passes the opportunity up, then a retention watch needs to be put on this soldier. Annually, a board, or review can be held that analyzes the improvements these soldiers have made in their skills, the improvements these soldiers have offered to the military, or the achievements these soldiers have made as individuals for the company. Did they obtain any banners? Did the compete in any competitions for the company? You feel me? If they're sitting stagnant, then they need to be removed. Similar to the privatized sector.

I held the position of Battalion CSM as a MSG for almost a year, due to a shortage of E9s. I had TIG/TIR and all CivEd/MilEd prerequisites for promotion. So, once a suitable SGM was being located and being considered, I was given the option of extending and going to SMA or retire. I retired.

So, to answer the question: leadership roles being held by subordinate ranks should be displaced by the appropriate ranking soldiers when possible.

Council the soldier, brief the Commander and flag the soldier from reenlisting or promotion. That will free up the training slot for a deserving soldier.

initiate a packet to get him/her out.

Administrative reduction/RCP

If the SM is not going to career progression schools by choice, then there are consequences for that choice. I have served under 1SG's that have deliberatly placed a junior SM over a senior one for a myriad of reasons, incompetentcy, failing to go to required schools, etc etc. Most 1SG's I have served under have an unwritten rule, decline or fail an NCOES school, and you will be offered it again when hell freezes over, or they change responsibility. Not to mention if your window opens for re-up, the commander would be recommended to not bless off on it. There is a form that the Commander has to sign prior to re enlistment that states his view on your retainablity.

Soldiers who refuse to go to PME schools are chaptered out in my unit after two years - generally speaking. Sometimes there is a valid reason but outright refusal? Chaptered out.