Why doesn’t PERSCOM provide a briefing to AIT graduates?

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:05:38 -0500

I have seen countless times on RP about folks that have questions regarding their own career - and I mean basic crap!

Why doesn’t HRC send a representative to the graduating AIT classes to explain the importance of guiding ones career?
Soldiers have no clue coming into the Army that they control their career, and if they do not, the Army will for them!

Key things -
-ALL eligible PCS assignments (incl. lengths)
-Schools for their MOS
-NCO school locations
-ASVAB retesting for career enhancement
-Career paths (USASMA, WO, OCS, Green-to-Gold, etc.)
-SOF Schools
-Basic 4187 matters and how to properly handle, to include the expected process
-What is expected for promotions from E1-E9 (Meaning how does one prepare for promotions thru E9 for their MOS; schools, education (Military/Civ/Correspondence), awards, assignments, leadership, etc.)

These are just a few off the top of my head!
When you have E1-E6 personnel on here asking, basic crap, there should be change (30 years ago would have been nice for me). A mentor would help but providing these things early on, soldiers might be better prepared for their own career enhancements!

Thoughts anyone???

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2019 6:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:10:44 -0500

Perhaps not a Representative (as that would be A LOT of reps constantly travelling), but certainly I could see having a video briefing created by PERSCOM and given to graduating classes. But, I certainly agree this should happen.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 15 at 2019 12:12 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:12:11 -0500

Why in the hell, don't they ask them NCO's/CoC- most AIT folks are just looking to get to their new unit and won't remember shit

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 15 at 2019 1:13 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:13:28 -0500

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA I get what your saying. This is why we have an NCO Corps, to coach, train and mentor. They get this knowledge from coaching and mentoring and NCO professional development from the unit, institutional, and self development.

As I said to SGM Bill Frazer it think these soldiers will flush it from the brain housing group unless they have skin in the game at that moment. It has to have context (which they have none) and necessity (I've got Tom get this done). These lessons are usually learned one at a time over time.

A CAC enabled web based Course is hard to do in an IET environment.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 15 at 2019 1:33 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:33:45 -0500

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA "I have seen countless times on RP about folks that have questions regarding their own career - and I mean basic crap!

Why doesn’t HRC send a representative to the graduating AIT classes to explain the importance of guiding ones career?"

Because that would be an utter waste of resources already understaffed and overworked.

EVERY SINGLE AIT graduate has a host of career SME's at their dispose from the very first second they arrive at their unit...Its called the NCO support channel and Chain of command. Every conceivable and reasonable career question can be answered for them directly or though a resource provided.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 2:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:42:50 -0500

I'm going to be honest. A good bit of the things I read on here give me a headache due to the lack of someone taking the time to look for them self or follow protocol. It's too easy to ask and have someone else give you the answer.

I guess I was lucky as when I was in AIT my instructor did inform us of all the different things needed to do to advance our careers. At my first unit I had amazing NCO's and Officers that guided and pushed me. Not to say there weren't some that didn't care, but if some of these people would take the time to do a google search instead of asking everyone else they would get a lot more done.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 12:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 00:42:33 -0500

Because it would go in one ear and out the other. 80% of the people I talk to are certain they're only going to be in the Army one term. They're concerned with the immediate future. Most don't even learn about what it takes to get promoted until they've passed the board.
On top of that, there's a different level of experience in the NCO corps now. 20 years ago when I joined, a SGT would have at least 5 years in and a SSG would be closer to 8 or 10. Then during the surge you had E5 in 2 years, E6 in 3 years, E7 in 7 years. Those inexperienced leaders taught the leaders of today. An E5 then had more experience solving Soldier issues than an E6 of today.