With promotions becoming more and more competitive what mentor ship do you provide our future leaders to set themselves apart from peers?

2013-12-13T00:36:50-05:00

Within each respective MOS there are pointed mile stones NCO's (SGT & SSG) should hit to ensure their records are truly competitive.

What are these milestones within your MOS?

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 13 at 2013 12:43 AM

2013-12-13T00:43:32-05:00

Concentrate on your circle of influence and don't worry (too much) about the things they can't change/influence.

Also, continue life-long learning both through military education channels (Master Resiliency & SHARP training opportunities) and civilian education.

Additionally, I recommend physical fitness and nutrition classes so our next generation of leaders are not just in shape or healthy, but they'll understand WHY it's important and HOW to get others motivated in healthier lifestyles.

Unfortunately, assignments/positions are timing specific.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2013 3:55 AM

2013-12-13T03:55:40-05:00

MSG Reyna,

I tell them, do the uncomfortable. Most people wanna remain in a comfortable spot and being complacent. I tell them, stay ahead of the game, be proactive, take classes (personal and professional), volunteer, don't be selfish, and get their faces out there. Getting their faces out there opens up more opportunities and although its competitive, if they were in some unexpected place, doing some great action, then their name and face will be remembered and may be that 1 up they need.

Response by 1SG Charmaine R. made Dec 13 at 2013 10:39 PM

2013-12-13T22:39:42-05:00

* Choosing the hard assignments (examples: Fort Drum, Fort Hood, Fort Bragg)

* Special duty assignments (Drill Sergeant, WTU/WTB Cadre, A.I.T. Platoon Sergeants, Recruiter, Female Engagement Teams)

* Courses such as Master Fitness, Master Resiliency, SHARP, Air Assault, Airborne

* COLLEGE will be imperative as you process, strive to have a Bachelors Degree by SSG or SFC (if not sooner)

* Military Education is also important; Skillports are great and build your promotion points, however correspondence courses aided in your development as Noncommissioned Officers as well as build your promotion point packets.

* Your evaluations MUST be consistent over the years. Always strive and EARN Among the Best (1/1) and have STRONG Senior Rater bullets. Promote Now is not strong, it is generic and posted on 90% of the NCOER's. Be specific why should the board promote you now? Remember within the Senior Rater area you should cover PROMOTION, SCHOOL, POTENTIAL, PERFORMANCE.

Response by 1SG Charmaine R. made Dec 13 at 2013 10:41 PM

2013-12-13T22:41:12-05:00

In addition make yourself competitive for Senior NCO ranks, become competent in the things that Senior NCOs should be Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as well. Those things are:

1. Effective counseling skills
2. NCOER preparation and writing
3. Award recommendations
4. READING and staying up to date on regulations, ALARACTS, MILPER messages, White Papers, etc.
5. Physical fitness

My advice to newly promoted Noncommissioned Officers is that it is HARD hours and often LONELY times doing the dirty, non-glamorous duties of an agile, adaptive, effective, and competent Senior NCO. It is more than wearing the rank on your uniform it is about taking care of Soldiers, improving the organization, and leaving a lasting legacy. So, be careful for what you ask for because when your number comes up and it time for you to be in charge, will you be prepared? Will you have the tools? Will you be able to teach, coach, mentor, and lead? Or, will you be more focused on "getting the rank," but NOT "being the rank?" We have enough folks walking around that got the rank and are not fulfilling their responsibilities.

That's my two cents...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2014 8:48 AM

2014-01-30T08:48:24-05:00

Stay diverse-Dont let yourself get holed up in one position. If you are comfortable, its time to move on.

Take schools-Any school you can get your hands on, EO, EOL, SHARP, etc

Take on any challenge-Volunteer for everything, it will take you places you havent been, and will allow you to see where your strengths really are.

Get your degree-Go as high as you can possibly go

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2014 7:05 AM

2014-02-08T07:05:40-05:00

MSG Reyna,

For my specific MOS 12B, my NCOs have MOS schools they should attend ie: Sapper School, EOCA, R2C2 Sapper are just a few others soldier in our MOS should attend.

V/R

1SG Haro

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Apr 20 at 2014 7:31 PM

2014-04-20T19:31:32-04:00

I learned something that is my mantra.

Be distinct, or you'll be extinct.

So my question is "What sets you apart?"

I am an expert and I specialize in my field. Even with that, it is harder to be in demand.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2020 2:36 PM

2020-04-20T14:36:56-04:00

Hello to all Soldiers who want to take control of their career progression. These are my thoughts and opinions about how to truly stay competitive for promotions. I am an 11B Infantry First Sergeant with 15 years of Service.

* Do you very best at all NCOES such as BLC, ALC, MLC: Strive for commandants list, Leadership Award and or Honor Grad: (Warning; some might call you an over achiever, but when the dust settles you will be way ahead of your peers)!

* Put yourself out there; Volunteer for Soldier of the month boards and Quarter Boards; continue to go until you win. If you don't win, you at least know way more about the Army and can be that go to Soldier for information. You will also know how to lead by example.

* Team Leader position: Lead that Team by example and make your Squad Leader's job easy. This in turn will ensure your SL works effectively for your PSG and this work ethic will transcend all the way up the NCO Support Channel and Chain of Command. This goes for every other position as well, Squad Leaders, Platoon Sergeants and First Sergeants. Learn your job, and pay it forward. Do your best in ever position and work with your rater and senior rater to ensure your NCOERs are well written and quantify all of your leadership, hard work and work of your subordinates. Example Bullet: Develops: o influenced two Soldiers to enroll in college, complete six college credits while maintaining a 3.6 GPA (What's great about this is that you could show your Soldiers how to start their TA process by teaching a class about go Army Ed, completing their VIA in order to start using TA. Then have them enroll in a good college program while creating a schedule with them on how they will accomplish their degree plan. (As a Leader, you must give Soldiers time to be successful in their college school work, even during the duty day if mission and training cycle allows it. (Put their college plan of action on a DA 4856 and stick to it. Inform your Squad Leader about this plan of action. Hold your Soldier's accountable.

* Always set goals for yourself, I will tell you my goals at the end of this post.
* Stay Physically Fit and never settle for the minimum standard. Exceed the Standard!
* Volunteer for Recruiter and or Drill Sergeant. Do the best you can in every position the Army Offers you.
* Study and inspire yourself to become a Sergeant Audie Murphy Award Recipient. Lead from the Front.
* Go to college and complete an Associates Degree and or Bachelor's Degree.
* Go to Ranger School and pass, even if it takes 3 times and 235 days non consecutively (I am still recovering from Ranger School, lol. Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, if able.
* Earn your Expert Infantryman's Badge or Soldier Expert Badge for other MOS's.

These are just my thoughts and if anyone wants to reach out to me on a professional Mentorship level, I can and will help mentor you no matter what MOS you are, male or female; you just have to be a Soldier willing to learn and take advice.

Stay motivated and "Lead BY Example". Set goals for yourself and develop others. Inspire your Soldiers to be better than you and our Army will continue to be the Best in the World.

My goals. * Spend quality time with my spouse and raise our son's to be great young men.
* Continue to lead my Company by Example and mentor Soldiers while seeing them progress in their careers.
* Raise my GT Score to a 110 by going to FAST Class once COVID-19 settles down. (Possible OCS Packet after that).
* Complete my Master's Degree by Summer of next Year: 8 Classes to go.
* Be selected and attend the Sergeant's Major Academy within the next two years and graduate in the top of my class.

RLTW,
1SG Currea
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