Which would you prefer, Broadening or Successive assignments?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:46:16 -0400

Which do you believe to be the most beneficial in the long run? I meet the requirements for promotion to E6 based on DAG1’s memo announcing the suspension of PME until further notice and am also approaching my PCS/DEROS and my branch manager said based on my records I’m going back to FORSCOM. Should I expect to go back to FORSCOM or try and get an instructor/drill sergeant slot then head back ?

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2020 8:50 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:50:20 -0400

I think it depends on what you're wanting to do long term.

Warrant: forscom may offer better Intel related duties, tasks, etc.

Enlisted: DS/instructor look good.

Family too though, DS/instructor definitely have increased and rough hours that 'could' strain relationships.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2020 8:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:56:14 -0400

Branches have specific manning guidelines about who can go to which assignment at which time. Most branches prohibit any kind of back to back broadening assignment. If your branch manager says you're going to an operational assignment, it would require your branch manager releasing you to allow you to go to a broadening assignment. The way the Army professional development model is set up is that you move back and forth between force generating and operational assignments. Back to back force generating assignments are looked at as you being out of the career field too long, leading to a loss of technical proficiency.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 26 at 2020 9:06 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 21:06:08 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member do you have a 35 series Sergeant Major, Warrant, or a senior MI officer that you can tap into for mentorship? I think they would be a good source of advice here. You have Division Tactical Time, you have Startegic Time. You have time in an ACE. You have time in a Maneuver BN S2. An argument could go either way whether you back to a FORSCOM tactical assignment or you do TRADOC. Surprised you have not been sucked in to the gravitational pull of a DS assignment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 1:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 01:43:02 -0400

Working at a COCOM seemed to of helped my professional development tremendously. Seek out one of those first and then maybe go Instructor/DS. I would try to get some repetitive joint 35F experience prior to hitting that broadening assignment.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 9:05 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 09:05:06 -0400

I've heard different opinions on this. Honestly I would say do what you want to, and perform well. What you should care about the most is how to get career progressing schools. The best advice I ever received was that I should get one career progressing school every year. I did that, and made the 7 list first look in a year where few were picked up. Performing well and show that you are still hungry seem to carry more weight than knocking out a role you feel like you need to get promoted.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 9:08 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 09:08:03 -0400

Look in the MOS Smartbook to break down what is desired at each grade for promotion. If your KD is complete then look for broadening, but you are also (P) so branch will want to put you into your next KD position to get it done and keep you competitive.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 27 at 2020 2:28 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 14:28:38 -0400

Looks like you're on a normal track for enlisted Soldiers in the Intel Career field. My experience says you should stay as close to operations as you can for as long as you can. Operational units are where the action is. They are called on to perform the critical missions in support of National Objectives. For now, avoid "career broadening" opportunities. I note you have a Bachelors Degree. You might look at opportunities to commission. I see you're a Warrant Officer applicant. Aviation warrant? If you want to fly military and can meet the physical and testing requirements, you could apply for an Air Force commission and pilot training slot.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 2:36 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 14:36:05 -0400

Do your broadening assignment as soon as you can get it out of the way

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 27 at 2020 2:50 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 14:50:09 -0400

I cannot answer your question directly but will ask, are you good at your job? We put so much emphasis on promotion and climbing that ladder than too often being good at what the Army hired you to do is not important. I see it all the time with jr nurses and so many of them can score 300 and ruck 12miles in under 3hours but are not the greatest in taking care of sick people.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2020 8:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:02:56 -0400

Personally I'd prefer broadening.