What's your best advice to give to a Soldier going to a Promotion/Soldier of the Year Board?

2015-03-12T22:43:43-04:00

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 12 at 2015 10:55 PM

2015-03-12T22:55:28-04:00

Be knowledgeable in your warrior tasks and battle drills while understanding doctrine and always know your Soldiers and their strengths and weaknesses. Make sure you are ready for a PT test along with land navigation challenges and expect a couple mystery events. You will also be evaluated in front of a panel of very senior CSMs.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-03-12T22:57:11-04:00

I will remember my NCO board FOREVER. It was held in Iraq and the SGM of 5th SFG. Make the board laugh while being as professional as possible.

My question was: How can we make our FOB better?

Answer: We could have a little cantina.

SGM: Oh so you want a bar and grill? Be able to drink as many beers as you can? (Something to that effect)

Answer: No SGM. BUT a two beer minimum a day would do.

Straight faced, had them laughing, didn't crack a smile (tho I wanted to) and scored the highest. (I did answer all the questions correct as well and stuff. Lol)

Just loved it and it was absolutely the biggest honor for me.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 12 at 2015 11:45 PM

2015-03-12T23:45:14-04:00

Try not to be last in. They love to play hard with the last one of the day. If your last name begins with a Z..........prayers from Tucson, AZ....lol

Response by SGT George Salzano made Mar 12 at 2015 11:50 PM

2015-03-12T23:50:54-04:00

Stand tall, keep ur knees slightly bent, lock ur glacé forward.. An say to ur self.. I'm a hard driving SOB

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 6:47 AM

2015-03-13T06:47:47-04:00

So, this may not be the best advice but this is what I scored high as a 1SG and looked for as the president of the board. I also did this when I attended my boards.

1. That uniform has to be shit hot! Put all your little colored ribbons and shiny things on and then put the jacket on and look in the mirror. Fix everything so it all looks straight while wearing the jacket. There is a big difference how it looks on a hanger and how it looks while wearing it. Get a haircut, clip your fingernails, trim your nose and ear hair, etc.

2. Definitely study the subjects annotated on the MOI and practice giving the answers out loud.

3. Be confident and a little cocky (not too much, but a little)

Example:
1SG: SPC Snuffy do you know the maximum effective range of the M4 carbine?
SPC Snuffy: Yes 1SG
**uncomfortable silence**
1SG: well would you like to share that with us?
SPC Snuffy: 1SG the maximum effective range of the M4 carbine is 500 meters for a point target and 600 meters for an area target.

4. If possible without it messing up your groove start your answer with the board members rank and repeat the question while giving the answer (last line above). If that is not feasible say the board members rank at the end of your answer. DO NOT SAY IT BEFORE AND AFTER, one or the other.

5. Take the most direct route unless given facing movements by the board members.

6. Speak loud and clearly but do not yell, even when saying the NCO/Soldier Creed. Make and maintain eye contact with board members.

7. Have a short and concise biography starting with basic training and ending with your current duty position. Include spouse, children, civilian education, three short term and three long term goals. Do not mention leaving the military unless it is your last long term goal.

8. Put some damn edge dressing on your shoes!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 7:04 AM

2015-03-13T07:04:54-04:00

RELAX and BE CONFIDENT!

They are just a bunch of Dudes on the board. All of them have been where you are.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 7:08 AM

2015-03-13T07:08:28-04:00

From my enlisted days and the advice I received...

Treat the event as a confirmation -- you should act like the best, act as if you are confident that you will win and think of the process as confirming to the board that you are the best. Being humble is for after the event; you were selected to compete for a reason and now you will show the members that your leader's instincts were correct.

Also remember that these boards are all part of developing you as a leader, so there is no loss in participating. Win or lose, remember the things you did well and repeat them on future boards. Do not forget your missteps (to include in preparation) as to not make those mistakes again.

Lastly, every board participant needs to pay it forward. Regardless of how you do, leave the boards committed to helping someone in your team/squad/platoon go to the next board. Often times, the barracks "cool guys" down play boards. Be a professional and strive to excel when given the chance.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 13 at 2015 7:12 AM

2015-03-13T07:12:28-04:00

My first E-5 board I do not remember much about as it was almost 20 years ago, however my second was a lot easier in that I re-deployed for the board but my stuff was still banded so I got participate in BDUs. Therefore, I ensured my BDU's were free of repel ropes (strings), pressed, rank sewn on, boots highly polished (yes we used to have to polish boots) and edge dressed. Be relaxed, confident with a hint of cockiness. My SSG board I did while deployed also and we had new CSM who believed in situation questions instead of regurgitating the study guide. Same advice.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 9:32 AM

2015-03-13T09:32:38-04:00

I will say there is a fine line between being arrogant and being confident. Make sure you know the difference.
This next one will split a few of us...lol
Do NOT bullsh*t...I was told when I went to my first board "never say I don't know give an answer...It might be wrong but if you have confidence you will look better before then board"... Don't waste their time...If your board is situational question based and you think there is no wrong answer...you are wrong...BSing is the wrong answer.

And the final nugget of knowledge is.........

Remember the 3 "B's"
Be Brief------Don't ramble say the answer and STOP TALKING...No verbal diarrhea.
Be Brilliant---Be loud and thunderous with your answers...know yo sh*t.
Be Gone------Get in, Get out, and Get back to work.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Mar 13 at 2015 9:57 AM

2015-03-13T09:57:39-04:00

Think before you speak

Response by SGT Justin Lamb made Mar 13 at 2015 9:58 AM

2015-03-13T09:58:43-04:00

SFC,

One thing I like to do for boards is study the unit's lineage. Since I have been a promotion clerk in the S1 and having the chance to sit on a lot of boards. I've always looked for extra ways to stand out. Although it is a need to learn the regs, creeds, how to Soldier and such but that's an everyday thing. In any of the units I've been in, I never see anyone ever talk about unit history or even know the division song. I happen to like history so I get into those kind of things but in my opinion, it would really show the Soldier going the extra step. Have the soldier add it to their bio in the part where they say where they are currently serving to give a nice intro an extra spice. I bet once they see the looks on the board members faces.. They will relax a lot quicker.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 4:30 AM

2015-03-14T04:30:03-04:00

The moment you walk in the door don't see rank, just people sitting behind a table.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 14 at 2015 9:19 AM

2015-03-14T09:19:31-04:00

One thing, you will never know all the answers - fact of life, but what matters is how you handle yourself in the not knowing.

They're not there to stump you, trick you, or belittle you, they are there to see how you handle yourself under pressure.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-11-03T19:20:18-05:00

Maintain your composure. I am reminded of the soldier who when reporting to a board, tripped on the transom of the doorway and fell flat on his face. He got up, reported , and added, well at least I fell in good company.