Posted on Mar 13, 2015
What takes so long from the conclusion of the board to the results?
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So I'm actually not in a terrible rush for the results for the MSG board. I don't really care to get promoted and potentially be forced to PCS out of my current unit. Additionally, I don't think I'm going to get picked up anyhow being that our MSG MOS is at about 130-140%.
Nevertheless, I'm super curious as to what the heck takes so long between ANY senior board and the results, and hoping someone can shed some light.
In my head, the stuff is on computers now. During the board the select or non-select by assigning points. They should already know how many they need prior to going in to the board. So say they need 11 (that's how many they picked up last year for my MSG MOS), the top 11 scores get selected.
HRC should automatically rule out anyone flagged or that doesn't meet the criteria due to this all being done by the computer.
Even for MOSs that pick up say 500 MSG or more, a computer program should be able to calculate the top scores in a fraction of a second.
In my head, within a day or two after the board closes, the board members should be on their way back to their duty stations, the computer calculated the selected individuals, and easily spits out the results for publishing. Max a week if someone has to manually input the names, which I'm sure is NOT the case.
Why does it usually take 5-8 weeks to see the results? Seems ridiculous to me.
And while we are at it, how does every board result crash HRC's website every year? I understand everyone trying to check it at once, but it seems like a pretty weak system to me. Perhaps they should restrict the results to the rank of the people being selected + 1SG/CSM and above. So for the MSG board, the first say 6-12 hours after release only us SFC, and only SFC considered, plus our 1SG and above should be able to access results.
Nevertheless, I'm super curious as to what the heck takes so long between ANY senior board and the results, and hoping someone can shed some light.
In my head, the stuff is on computers now. During the board the select or non-select by assigning points. They should already know how many they need prior to going in to the board. So say they need 11 (that's how many they picked up last year for my MSG MOS), the top 11 scores get selected.
HRC should automatically rule out anyone flagged or that doesn't meet the criteria due to this all being done by the computer.
Even for MOSs that pick up say 500 MSG or more, a computer program should be able to calculate the top scores in a fraction of a second.
In my head, within a day or two after the board closes, the board members should be on their way back to their duty stations, the computer calculated the selected individuals, and easily spits out the results for publishing. Max a week if someone has to manually input the names, which I'm sure is NOT the case.
Why does it usually take 5-8 weeks to see the results? Seems ridiculous to me.
And while we are at it, how does every board result crash HRC's website every year? I understand everyone trying to check it at once, but it seems like a pretty weak system to me. Perhaps they should restrict the results to the rank of the people being selected + 1SG/CSM and above. So for the MSG board, the first say 6-12 hours after release only us SFC, and only SFC considered, plus our 1SG and above should be able to access results.
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Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 4
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You'd think it would really be that easy, and should be that easy CW2 (Join to see), but there is still a little work to be done after the board.
Let's examine the CSL (for CSM) as an example. The release dates are targeted along with the board dates and there are many instances (for whatever myriad of reasons) those dates slip to the right. Take the current CSL, it's been completed for a while, the results of primary and alternate selects are already released however, the location of where those CSMs will go have not been released yet....it takes time to work through the specifics of the puzzle to make sure you got all the pieces you will need, to make sure you have selected enough....some will retire in lieu of going to Fort Polk, it just happens. You also have some that have just moved enough and are tired and will elect to retire instead of PCS. You have exceptional family member medical care requirements to be concerned with as well as aligning the Soldiers preference. So once all that is done, and the consideration for the inbound command is taken into consideration the results are released. We won't even get into the BOD on this one, they really have challenges at that level. Hope this helps a little to understand the timeliness.
Let's examine the CSL (for CSM) as an example. The release dates are targeted along with the board dates and there are many instances (for whatever myriad of reasons) those dates slip to the right. Take the current CSL, it's been completed for a while, the results of primary and alternate selects are already released however, the location of where those CSMs will go have not been released yet....it takes time to work through the specifics of the puzzle to make sure you got all the pieces you will need, to make sure you have selected enough....some will retire in lieu of going to Fort Polk, it just happens. You also have some that have just moved enough and are tired and will elect to retire instead of PCS. You have exceptional family member medical care requirements to be concerned with as well as aligning the Soldiers preference. So once all that is done, and the consideration for the inbound command is taken into consideration the results are released. We won't even get into the BOD on this one, they really have challenges at that level. Hope this helps a little to understand the timeliness.
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Good luck on the board, CW2 (Join to see). I like what LTC Jason Mackay wrote in reply to your post.
It seems to me that HRC (the Army) wants to be 100% sure that everyone on the list should be on the list, and that nobody is overlooked by mistake. Also, as LTC Mackay noted (and you alluded to), there's the strength/ceiling (and even floor) issue.
Plus, it wouldn't drive you and all the other SFCs eligible for selection to MSG nuts if they didn't drag it out at least a little bit!
It seems to me that HRC (the Army) wants to be 100% sure that everyone on the list should be on the list, and that nobody is overlooked by mistake. Also, as LTC Mackay noted (and you alluded to), there's the strength/ceiling (and even floor) issue.
Plus, it wouldn't drive you and all the other SFCs eligible for selection to MSG nuts if they didn't drag it out at least a little bit!
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CW2 (Join to see)
The answer from HRC was this:
The results of a board are only a recommendation to Army G1. Those results then must be validated. Depending on the type of board, it may have to pass through additional levels of approval to include congress before the results can be validated. Once they are validated, they are sent to HRC promotions for publishing.
The results of a board are only a recommendation to Army G1. Those results then must be validated. Depending on the type of board, it may have to pass through additional levels of approval to include congress before the results can be validated. Once they are validated, they are sent to HRC promotions for publishing.
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Some thoughts
- for officer boards, the number of officers is regulated by the Senate. All lists must be validated by the Senate.
- the Army has to de conflict it with end strength and other factors
- the Army may be "counting people out" as they exit service, before letting more move up. You see that there are some MOS that have two years worth of promotion list backed up due to non-attrition.
- manning cycles at HRC validate positions to be filled, and hence drive requirements for MOS and grade.
- many lists are timed with the start of fiscal years
- the list exists at DA in 1-n order of merit form. If they get more slots they move the cut line. If they get less, they move it up. Then it is published.
- for officer boards, the number of officers is regulated by the Senate. All lists must be validated by the Senate.
- the Army has to de conflict it with end strength and other factors
- the Army may be "counting people out" as they exit service, before letting more move up. You see that there are some MOS that have two years worth of promotion list backed up due to non-attrition.
- manning cycles at HRC validate positions to be filled, and hence drive requirements for MOS and grade.
- many lists are timed with the start of fiscal years
- the list exists at DA in 1-n order of merit form. If they get more slots they move the cut line. If they get less, they move it up. Then it is published.
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CW2 (Join to see)
Seems like you're pretty close sir, but here is the exact response from HRC:
The results of a board are only a recommendation to Army G1. Those results then must be validated. Depending on the type of board, it may have to pass through additional levels of approval to include congress before the results can be validated. Once they are validated, they are sent to HRC promotions for publishing.
The results of a board are only a recommendation to Army G1. Those results then must be validated. Depending on the type of board, it may have to pass through additional levels of approval to include congress before the results can be validated. Once they are validated, they are sent to HRC promotions for publishing.
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LCDR (Join to see)
While it does not apply to this situation in the case of officers you are right they must be confirmed by the Senate. There was a time where the Navy officer list had to be washed against those that attended the 1991 Tailhook convention. No Senator wanted to be responsible for promoting someone involved in those activities. I think that marked the entrance to the PC road.
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