What would be some good promotion board study tips (and on what topics should I focus)?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 02:36:55 -0400

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 2:58 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 02:58:28 -0400

I would ask your Sergeant and canvas a few others about general questions. I assisted setting up a packet for a few people, ensuring their awards and qualifications were correct. In many cases they were not because the SM didn't know they were supposed to have certain awards.

As I understand they had to recite the Soldier and NCO Creeds, were asked general Soldier questions, and it wasn't so much that they had to know the answer but that they were confident in their answer and knew where to find the answer.

I'm a ways off from it but that's what I've been told so far.

Response by PO3 James Bobiney made Mar 14 at 2017 6:20 AM

PO3 James Bobiney — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 06:20:58 -0400

Current events.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 14 at 2017 7:09 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 07:09:16 -0400

The good news is promition to E5 is a local event with folks that "know you"
The bad news is it's a local event, and subject to the "needs" of the local Senior NCOS sitting the board as to whats important.
1st the unit SHOULD have published a promotion board memo telling you in general what to prepare yourself for.
2nd Talk to SM that have recently gone before a board in your unit.
3rd its how you present your self equally as to what you say...
Never BS the board...in your mind , consider before you answer...If your not positive in the answer, DONT...Or qualify it. "Sergeant Major, I have familiarized myself with the general regulation and policies that cover the APFT and a profile as you asked me about, I know where to find the info, but I do not at this time know the specific answer to your question"
If they want you to "guess" let them tell you that.

Know the units focus and the commanders intent.
Know your job basics
Know your unit basics.
If its on your uniform rack, know WHY and for what.
Then read the board memo and study the areas it says will be covered.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 8:12 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 08:12:49 -0400

Your assigned and qual'ed weapons
PT
670-1 - AR AND DA PAM
Unit history
Creeds
CoC and NCO Channel
CBRN
your short bio/summary

Those will get you started.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 14 at 2017 9:27 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 09:27:13 -0400

Know your unit's history as well as current events. Know your job. As far as study material, there are study guides for the board (even the Ranger Handbook is a good source). I trust you have a mentor; tap their knowledgebase.

Now, for the stuff not found in books...

It may seem silly, but practice your confidence. It matters! Watch yourself straight in a mirror, and have a buddy (or yourself) record you in profile doing a practice run. Are you standing up straight? Are you making direct eye contact with the imaginary board in front of you? Do you sound like you speak with clarity and authority? If you answer no to any of these, work on those presentation abilities, because the board not only want to know you know something about being a soldier, but they want to know you'll be decisive in your decision making.

Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 9:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 09:57:49 -0400

Honestly, just search threads on here. This question is asked weekly and there's a ton of good answers from the last few years.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 12:51 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:51:15 -0400

If you did not receive a MOI from your unit that would be the first thing I'd be searching for. That will pretty much give you the exact topics of what the board will cover. Do not leave it till last minute to study because that will aid in failure.

Response by SGT Ivory Brown made Mar 19 at 2017 1:30 PM

SGT Ivory Brown — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 13:30:43 -0400

boards are really simple. either you know the answer or don't. simple things like being on staff Duty helps alot. your exposed to alot of information that could be asked at a board, the board room is right there and you get to see the Csm and 1SGT's coming and going all day.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2017 4:57 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 16:57:26 -0400

AF promotion boards do not start until SMSgt. E-8; unless they have changed things since I retired. I think its a good idea though.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2017 5:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 17:02:47 -0400

My Promotion Board was different as they didn't ask me questions from the book. Instead they asked Situational Questions regarding being a leader and dealing with Soldiers....but obviously you had to know your regulation etc.. to give a correct leadership answer. Example Q: Your Soldier at PT is wearing 2 rings one on each hand. According to regulation is he/she allowed to have that? Questions like those and such as if a Soldier gets in trouble....what would you do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2017 11:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 23:04:07 -0400

Update: So I've went to the Promotion Board this past week and unfortunately, by one vote, I got a no go. However, they never gave me an explanation as to why. All they told my sponsor was the way I marched in and thats all. I've even asked my own 1SG why they voted they did and he doesn't even know. All I can do at this point is to try again next month.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Jun 2 at 2019 11:20 AM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 11:20:36 -0400

See if there is a local study guide they use and learn it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2019 1:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 13:23:58 -0400

Walk in the board like you know you are going to kill it. Shoulders back, head and eyes straight forward, chest out. My last board I went to, one of the board members told me he loved how robotic I was, how every thing was snap and pop. My answers were short, clear, concise, and confident. (I've passed both e4-e5 &e5-e6 boards like this) Make sure you make eye contact with everyone in the room as you're telling your biography. When different board members address you, make sure to look at that board member. Dont forget to address them as their rank after everything you say. If you dont know an answer to a question " I do not know the answer at this time (insert rank)" said with confidence. Make sure your uniform is on point. Check it over a week before, a few days before, and the day of. Make sure to put it on too to make sure everything sits right. Study exactly what's on the MOI for the board. KNOW THE CREED OF THE NON COMMISSIONED OFFICER. If you mess something up dont look down, or huff and puff, just roll with it like you meant it.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Oct 29 at 2019 4:45 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 16:45:37 -0400

First see if your unit has a study guide it goes by. Then talk to some of the people you know who just attended the board in the last couple months to see what kind of questions were asked. Each unit has their own ways of doing things.