Posted on May 21, 2014
What is the best qualification for a first look for E-7? (From the list included)
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With the Army making soldiers put their best foot forward to progress, how likely would a SSG be better off getting a 1st look for SFC: with Master Fitness Trainer qualified, Lv 4 Combatives qualified, 300 APFT score, Expert shooter w/ M4, more qualifying factors, and other high achievements outside their own MOS?
HRC
Promotions
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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- MFT Qualified, not in and of itself - it's more about what did you do as an MFT? what affect did you have on individuals/units
- Combatives Level 4 - same as MFT
- 300 APFT - great individual achievement, but as a SFC, looking more at what did you do to improve your units failure rate, 300s, 90/90/90s, APFT Avg, etc
- M4 Expert - same as 300 on APFT
Most of what you list are individual accomplishments, as an NCO you should be focused on improving your unit/subordinates
- Combatives Level 4 - same as MFT
- 300 APFT - great individual achievement, but as a SFC, looking more at what did you do to improve your units failure rate, 300s, 90/90/90s, APFT Avg, etc
- M4 Expert - same as 300 on APFT
Most of what you list are individual accomplishments, as an NCO you should be focused on improving your unit/subordinates
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SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh
I'm curious as to what school you and/or your buddy think serves no purpose for everything I've seen continuing to go to military schools shows that you are at least still engaged in your military career. No it's not the course he wanted but it is a course which is better than what some get. I would advise your battle to re-engage with his 1SG about going to battle staff sometimes it takes a little tact and tenacity to get what you want.
and as the CSM said, going for SFC is more about you leadership ability rather than you individual accomplishments. Yes a 300 APFT score looks good but developing a rigorous PT program that raised a squad/section average to 275 looks better.
and as the CSM said, going for SFC is more about you leadership ability rather than you individual accomplishments. Yes a 300 APFT score looks good but developing a rigorous PT program that raised a squad/section average to 275 looks better.
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CSM Mike Maynard
SSG Green - great comments/advice from SFC Eshenbaugh.
Advice - go to the school, learn some new skills and build some new relationships.
Just having a "2S" is not going to make that much difference to a Selection Panel.
But, gaining new skills and then using them in your job to create excellence will get the attention of the board.
Once we accept that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, we can then devote the energy/resources to being the best at what we're doing right now, where we are right now instead of wanting to be doing something else or being somewhere else.
Advice - go to the school, learn some new skills and build some new relationships.
Just having a "2S" is not going to make that much difference to a Selection Panel.
But, gaining new skills and then using them in your job to create excellence will get the attention of the board.
Once we accept that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, we can then devote the energy/resources to being the best at what we're doing right now, where we are right now instead of wanting to be doing something else or being somewhere else.
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SSG (Join to see)
CSM & SFC, thank you for the advice, I will surely push this information to my battle once he come back from training.
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SSG (Join to see)
SFC Eshenbaugh, as for myself I am working a different path in my career than my battle, I have a lot to do in my career before HR looks at me for SFC, so I am 4months in as a SSG, so I have a lot of task to complete.
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Having sat on a promotion board before I can say this:
Depending on your MOS and the programs that are available to you, the following (also stated by others on this thread) are things that will help you get promoted (specifically as a SSG infantryman):
Army Schools (Airborne, Air assault, Ranger, Pathfinder, Master gunner, Sniper). To a lesser extent: anything digital and Battle Staff, EO, SHARP (and so on)- recent qualifications at this pay grade and the one prior were weighted more (from my point of view) than stuff that was done right out of basic- i.e. Ranger, AA or AB & EIB as a SGT/SSG rather than as a private- the thinking is that you had to train up and volunteer for those courses at the more senior rank. Finish SSD-3, and ensure it is in your record. A couple of my Soldiers (who would have done well otherwise) didn't get that hurdle out of the way in time and were not considered.
EIB was more favorably considered than CIB (getting shot at is what we do as Soldiers, getting the EIB is a challenge you have to volunteer and prepare for).
TRADOC time: (DS & Instructor). Successful, with no SHARP or "screwing around" complaints on your NCOERs. the board don't care if he/she is the love of your life.
Recruiter (successfully). Same as above.
Civilian Education (More is better, most had 30-40 hours, but Army schools eclipse that somewhat)(You can go to the ED center and get college credit for your military schools).
A key promotion criteria is also demonstrated performance as a Platoon SGT (12 months or more successfully) in an MTOE unit at your present grade- Senior DS can also be considered equivalent-
Make sure your Picture is recent and all the stuff is in the right place. No picture (recent or otherwise) indicated not willing to get promoted. Wear your ASUs, and have someone check you out.
As the CSM said below, "doing the Hard jobs" and being selected for Audie Murphy or SGT Morales are definate plusses.
In short, going out of your way to stand out above your peers. Going to work 0630-1800 every day and drawing a paycheck is, while honorable, not enough to be sucessful in todays Military.
Remember, we are promoting you to he be as a MTOE Platoon Sgt. How successful will you be? That is the job we are selecting you to do. Everything else is subordinate to that function. How do your qualifications stack up to that position?
As usual these are my own thoughts, and I am sure there are other opinions out there- You are competing against your peers Army wide- so how do you measure up?
Depending on your MOS and the programs that are available to you, the following (also stated by others on this thread) are things that will help you get promoted (specifically as a SSG infantryman):
Army Schools (Airborne, Air assault, Ranger, Pathfinder, Master gunner, Sniper). To a lesser extent: anything digital and Battle Staff, EO, SHARP (and so on)- recent qualifications at this pay grade and the one prior were weighted more (from my point of view) than stuff that was done right out of basic- i.e. Ranger, AA or AB & EIB as a SGT/SSG rather than as a private- the thinking is that you had to train up and volunteer for those courses at the more senior rank. Finish SSD-3, and ensure it is in your record. A couple of my Soldiers (who would have done well otherwise) didn't get that hurdle out of the way in time and were not considered.
EIB was more favorably considered than CIB (getting shot at is what we do as Soldiers, getting the EIB is a challenge you have to volunteer and prepare for).
TRADOC time: (DS & Instructor). Successful, with no SHARP or "screwing around" complaints on your NCOERs. the board don't care if he/she is the love of your life.
Recruiter (successfully). Same as above.
Civilian Education (More is better, most had 30-40 hours, but Army schools eclipse that somewhat)(You can go to the ED center and get college credit for your military schools).
A key promotion criteria is also demonstrated performance as a Platoon SGT (12 months or more successfully) in an MTOE unit at your present grade- Senior DS can also be considered equivalent-
Make sure your Picture is recent and all the stuff is in the right place. No picture (recent or otherwise) indicated not willing to get promoted. Wear your ASUs, and have someone check you out.
As the CSM said below, "doing the Hard jobs" and being selected for Audie Murphy or SGT Morales are definate plusses.
In short, going out of your way to stand out above your peers. Going to work 0630-1800 every day and drawing a paycheck is, while honorable, not enough to be sucessful in todays Military.
Remember, we are promoting you to he be as a MTOE Platoon Sgt. How successful will you be? That is the job we are selecting you to do. Everything else is subordinate to that function. How do your qualifications stack up to that position?
As usual these are my own thoughts, and I am sure there are other opinions out there- You are competing against your peers Army wide- so how do you measure up?
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All those listed are great efforts for our NCOS to work toward. They also need to seek out the hard jobs and duty task as well, ie.... induction into the SAMC, and then continue to make the club better than when they joined. Obtaining medallions for contributions to their specific MOS set. Quantified and qualified comments on the NCOER are always best! What they did and how good or bad it was preformed. College degrees are good, especially with honors. Just obtaining a degree isnt worth adding to the report. Nore would I allow the comment of "completed six college credits during rated time toward a degree". And lastly, a updated photo tells the board alot! Id recommend a photo every year! Hope this helps.
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