I would suggest that you set yourself apart from your peers. Depending on your MOS, the expectation is that you know your job well and you are taking care of Soldiers. Are you in a MTOE position that requires an ASI, do you actually have the requisite qualifications to fit that role (IE, Jumpmaster 5W positions filled by non-jumpmasters)? After that, what are you doing EXTRA? What schools have you attended? Army's #1 priority for ever has been SHARP (its #3 now); are you SHARP credentialed? Current priority is readiness, so depending on your MOS, what can you do that gears towards this? UMO School, HAZMAT etc. Can you get MRT/EOL course. Compete in boards. Win NCO of the Quarter/Years. When you go high in these boards your a shoe in basically all the way to E-8 as every CSM will know who you are in your branch by the completion. Just some food for thought. Same goes for mentoring your own Soldiers to attend the boards... both promotion and of the quarter type. Volunteering and earning the MOVSM was a guarenteed SFC across the board. Ultimately, your branch posts a white paper on the board proceedings each year. i would read them and see what the trend is across a 5 year period and look to fill some of those specific roles.

Do your job, know your job, and be good at it!! Of course, good NCOers and setting yourself apart from your peers. Special schools, recruiter, drill sergeant, AIT Platoon Sergeant depending on your MOS.

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