When is the right time to submit a packet for E-5 SGT?

"I am worried I do not have the adequate skills to be able to motivate and guide fellow soldiers."

I'm not trying to bust your chops........but if you don't feel that you possess the adequate skills to motivate and guide Soldiers then you may need to spend a while longer in your current pay grade learning your craft and honing your tools.

There's too damned many Sergeants up and down the ranks that can't lead a horse to water or pour piss out of a boot with the instructions on the sole. As an NCO we are entrusted with the welfare of our Soldiers. To instill purpose, motivation and direction. No, as an NCO I'm not perfect and I make mistakes and do my damnedest to learn from them. But I have absolutely no doubt in my ability or skills to motivate and guide Soldiers.

I'm not trying to de-motivate you towards getting promoted. But I am trying to open your eyes and get you to realize that if you doubt your leadership skills, your Soldiers will pick up on that. And that will undermine their faith, confidence and trust in you as a leader.

Even as an NCO regardless of pay grade or position, we still continue to learn. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. But also learn from them. I wish you the best of luck.

Here is my opinion, go to the board. You will only know if you are ready to become a SGT, by becoming a SGT. The rest will fall into place by the guidance of your leaders, the feedback from your peers, and the successes of your Soldiers.

Ma'am excuse my words, I'm not educated and a total moron to a lot, but go get your nerd on and learn more, be comfortable with leading in the safety of a classroom not at a shooting gallery, maybe someday you'll smoke people who don't sound off, but for now be young and learn while your mind allows.

If someone is telling you that you are ready to be a Sergeant, then I say go for it. If several NCO's are saying it, then definitely go for it. The fact is, you'll never be truly prepared for leadership roles when you first start them. But with the guidance of those before you, I believe you'll do well.

If you're doubting yourself the junior enlisted will have the same doubts and more than likely won't feel comfortable if you ever had to lead them in a combat situation.

The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.-Charles Bukowski

The problem is even more prevalent in the Army. I can tell you respect the gravity of the step you have ahead of you. That alone puts you miles ahead of most of your peers. Put the packet in and become "ready" you may discover you are farther along than you thought.

Can you even submit the packet without WLC? I thought they were going to change that requirement to already having the course first.

Your statements contradict themselves:

" I am worried I do not have the adequate skills to be able to motivate and guide fellow soldiers."

I lead the two privates in my section and teach them, so I do have experience in leading other soldiers, but it is only in my MOS and section of the platoon."

You are already showing that you have the basic adequate skills to become an NCO. The senior NCO's that are recommending you have already recognized that.

I don't even get your concern about only leading soldiers within your MOS and section. This will not change as a junior NCO in the supply section. You will still be doing the same leading and teaching of the privates that you do now. At the same time you will start to develop yourself as an NCO. If you are concerned about expanding your "sphere of influence" as an NCO outside your section, don't be. As you move into the position of Supply Sergeant instead of Supply Clerk your influence will expand naturally just from the position.

Supply/S4 is one of what I call a "power position" in a unit. Quite frankly, your services (or your section's) is something that is always in demand, especially in the reserves. I know this from experience as the senior NCO for the logistics section of my BN. If you continue to do what you are doing now, remain professional, and continue to expand your learning you will do fine.

Now all you need to do is transfer to Washington and my unit, I could use a new Supply Sergeant as we are going to be very thin in our S4 after this Summer.

To answer your more general question, it has been my experience that a soldier "feeling right" happens about the same time as other NCO's recognizing the potential.

You know you're ready for the next level when you can teach someone how to do your job at your rank. You don't have to know everything, but if you know enough that you can mentor and train other E-4s, then you're essentially acting at the next level. Ergo, you're ready for E-5.

Don't EVER underestimate your abilities to lead Soldiers. Be confident, and seek out answers to questions after you have tried to solve it yourself. My guess is since you have two privates underneath you and you are scheduled to attend WLC, then your leadership probably already thinks that you are already ready.

You'll know when you're ready by when you can do you job well (which I think you can do). Your NCO should support your decision. Its all about what you can bring to the table and if you got the right stuff to speak up and take responsibility for your soldiers. I dont know how the reserves work with submitting a packet for selection but I think the most important decision is yours. If youre already leading two privates..might as well get some stripes so you can leverage more for your team.