Will promotions to SFC generally open more SSG slots and lower promotion points?

2015-09-10T12:46:54-04:00

I am currently promotable and sitting on the fence with points. I am not quite sure if I will get it. I know that at the beginning of the fiscal year points are lower. Does the promotion of SFC's help with that too?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 10 at 2015 12:51 PM

2015-09-10T12:51:29-04:00

It's a pyramid structure.

Every SSG promoted to SFC is one SGT promoted to SSG. Every SSG "passed over" who has to get during the coming fiscal year also opens up a slot.

Theoretically, that will lower the "points" needed, because the points are determined by how many available slots there are.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 12:56 PM

2015-09-10T12:56:42-04:00

usually.....also depends on how many SGTs are on the list to make SSG

Response by SSG Alleria Stanley made Sep 15 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-09-15T12:05:33-04:00

The points are only a guide to how far down the Army has to reach to find the number of qualified promotable NCOs for the next month.

They are not comparable between MOS, but only amongst the singular MOS.

For April, let's say, Army says we need 3 new Staff Sergeants. The top five promotable Sergeants have PPW points of 732, 718, 690, 607, 584.

Points that month will be 690.

If they need 5, then the points will be 584.

Side note... that does NOT mean that the next month, if the Army promoted only 3 for April, then the Army needs one for May, the points would be 607. There might be a newly promotable Sergeant who's points are 714... and so, while Sergeant 607 is excited that they're next in line, if they rest on their laurels, they'll be passed by as new promotables move on up.

It's a constantly changing scale that only serves to evaluate us amongst our peers and to provide Big Army a reasonable OML.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Sep 15 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-09-15T12:57:21-04:00

Typically the SFC List is based on projections of MSG and SGM slots opening up. When there is an influx (big list) of SFC selections, a few months may go by before you will see the points drop, this is because of the time to promote from the list and position those newly promoted SFC. You may also find that if there is a high number of SSGs getting promoted this will slow down the SGT cutoff points. This will also effect your in/out calls for reenlistments and bonuses. Hope that helps your question.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 4:23 PM

2015-09-15T16:23:54-04:00

In concurrence with most of what everybody else said.

Also not the SFC board itself but the QSP/QMP board will open slots due to the fact that there is a significant force reduction in the SSG ranks. The army is trimming the fat by keeping only the best and brightest who aren't stagnant and have great potential to advance. This opens positions to younger,more motivated, competent and delving young SGTs by freeing up slots that were being held by fat incompetent SSGs who were unable to advance. You know, those guys that make SSG and stay there ten years until they retire....

Response by 1SG Hector A. Rivera made Sep 15 at 2015 7:17 PM

2015-09-15T19:17:46-04:00

SGT B,
One doesn't always translate to the other. Promotions are a bit more methodical than that... You have to look at the overall strength in the MOS, then the strength at each grade. That also gets compounded with projected departures (ETS, retirements, etc.) and that gives you a more realistic look. Short answer: it should, but that's not always the case...

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Sep 15 at 2015 7:38 PM

2015-09-15T19:38:04-04:00

With the opening of SSG. slots from the promotions to SFC. does not always equate to lowering of points needed to be promoted to SSG. There maybe enough soldier's on the list. If there is an excess, the points needed may actually increase. Your mos and education maybe the factor that may push to the level needed.
Good luck on your promotion! !!!

Response by SSG Claude Pinner made Sep 15 at 2015 8:37 PM

2015-09-15T20:37:58-04:00

The Army first has to actually promote some SSGs to SFC before spots open up for the young Bucks...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 9:21 PM

2015-09-15T21:21:07-04:00

Also don't forget to look at the posture sheets for your MOS to see if the career field is growing or shrinking.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 6:38 AM

2015-09-16T06:38:49-04:00

Yes. It will help open slot but it will not lower points. Once on the list it takes over a year to promote everyone on the list. So the monthly list of SSG promoted to SFC is so low that there would be little impact on points. Now promotions combined with 11Bs ETSing that month will have a big impact on points. But I always tell my Soldiers PV2-SSG is your promotion so quit waiting for it go get it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-09-16T08:29:20-04:00

No. And here's why.

Once the promotions list for SFC is released, the DA will gradually promote based off of monthly needs. Averaged out of the year, this often results in slow promotions to SFC in a given MOS. In the end, those promotions will do little to create advancement space for SGTs to advance to SSG.

What really helps promotions are attrition in the SSG ranks through ETS, Retirement, early separation though various chapters and reduction through the UCMJ processes.

Guess which one of these has the highest impact?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 12:41 PM

2015-09-16T12:41:13-04:00

You have received some very good responses to your question, it is also important that you identify where you are in comparison to your peers monthly. Make sure you are reviewing the TREND REPORT monthly. It identifies the amount of promotable specialist and sergeants in your field and the amount of points they have. It is generalized i.e. ( 7 people have between 550 and 600 points.)
The report will help you see where you are compared to other promotables, like if you have 610 points you are ahead of the 7 people in the example.
CAUTION!! The trend report is a month behind so people can add more points before the next month. Keep pushing! Your leadership our first Sergeant should be able to show you how to understand it. It is released on HRC about 2 days after the list comes out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 1:36 PM

2015-09-16T13:36:18-04:00

Theoretically yes, but keep in mind MTOE, slotting, and requirements change every year. Just because a someone gets promoted or QMP'ed doesn't directly translate to more slots for the lower level. I wish it were that simple.