Why have we failed to mentor those that would be senior leaders?

2015-10-13T00:50:12-04:00

Why is it that we talk about mentoring soldiers, but when we get aperfect opportunity to do so we fail? Whenever a soldier's record goes in front of a board we fail to give that soldier direct feedback on their records. I know that each board looks at different items, but if a soldier doesn't know that the last board said his Assignment history was in error, then how is the soldier to correct it or to write a letter to the board explaining the discrepancy i.e. break in service, or prior service. Soldiers would love to have direct feedback on their career advancement and yet we are failing them.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 2:09 AM

2015-10-13T02:09:30-04:00

I agree senior leaders should be taking the time to review their Soldiers’ board files. It is an onus on both the subordinate and the leader. I would expect any Soldier wishing to be a senior would take the time to approach leadership and request a review well in advance of a board. If you meet with unsatisfactory support find a leader that will assist.

Response by SGM Mike Barbieri made Oct 13 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-10-13T23:00:57-04:00

Any leader can provide the same feedback as a panel member when it comes to a jacked up file. If your ERB is wrong, it is wrong for everyone looking at it. Have as many senior personnel as possible take a look at your records prior to validating in MBF. Have leaders from outside your CMF look. Often they will provide better insight through a different lens. Call your PDNCO at branch and ask them to look at it. They see quite a bit and can provide valuable feedback.

Get into the regs, especially for the photo. I see way too many official photos with out of tolerance uniforms, unauthorized items, and stuff that is just plain wrong that could have and should have been caught by a courtesy check by a leader.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Oct 14 at 2015 12:49 AM

2015-10-14T00:49:52-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member What an interesting idea. Why aren't you an 0-7? Feedback is so crucial, we all need more, even my lady friend could provide more feedback to me!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 12:54 AM

2015-10-14T00:54:42-04:00

The other big shift I noticed is that more and more NCOs and Officer are have the NCOs they rate write their own NCOERs. While they try to claim that it is teaching point, I believe it is because they have gotten lazy. My last boss a 1SG who was selected for SGM not only had a Coworker write his own PCS (COR) NCOER but also his own PCS award. Then when I moved to another section told me to put my info where his was and just submit it. The NCO "Leader" before that copy and pasted his bullets and duty description as mine but forgot to take his name out of parts. My first team leader back in the 90s new everything about me and my family. When I returned back to the duty station we both served at 10 years later and him retired he still contacted me and asked how my family was and still knew all about my family and their bdays, anniversary etc. The 1SG I worked almost a year for couldn't tell you my wife's name. What happened to the leadersbook or caring about your soldiers?