What is the voting procedure/criteria during DA Centralized Boards?

2014-03-07T21:35:40-05:00

Can someone in the field explain how an NCO receives, for example a 6+, or a 5-. How can you earn a + and vice/versa? Army Strong!

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 18 at 2014 8:54 PM

2014-03-18T20:54:16-04:00

I am curious about this as well SSG, as it was something that was talked about, but I didn't see the implementation before I retired, thanks for posting the question.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Sep 30 at 2014 11:31 AM

2014-09-30T11:31:19-04:00

I'm not on a voting board, but this is what I found in a quick search, seems pretty interesting so far.

https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/assets/pdf/EnlBdInfoGuide-14Jun10.pdf

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 30 at 2014 3:40 PM

2014-09-30T15:40:41-04:00

Having been on several DA Centralized Selection Boards, I can tell you that there is no hard and fast method to explain how votes are assigned. It is up to the individual voters to assign their points by whatever method they come up with. What is key is that they apply that standard/method to all their votes. For example, one member may give a file a 4+, while another gives it a 5+, based on the scoring criteria they each use. As long as they apply that same standard with all of their votes, it does not really matter when the totals of all members are added up, as the final number is the average of all the members.

Having said that, most board members look for outstanding duty performance in positions commensurate with the rank held, training/schools, education, type of positions held, locations of those positions. The better you do in demanding positions in demanding locations, the higher the points are going to be. A person who gets a great evaluation as a Platoon Sergeant in a line company in Iraq, for example, will get a higher score than Sergeant First Class handing out basketballs in the gym at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

To maximize your points, you need to seek out the tough jobs and do them well. However, the key to success is doing whatever job you have the best of your ability. By doing that, you will get the tough jobs, which will give you the opportunity to be evaluated in those jobs.