Posted on Oct 20, 2016
The ‘Up-Or-Out’ Promotion System Hurts The Military
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Is this attrition or a stupid rule? It doesn't sound very effective to me. Thos who are passed up twice shouldn't be kicked out of the military, but the military isn't going to babysit anyone who can't cut mustard. So, in one aspect I see the reasoning, but in another I don't. What's your opinion?
A broken system leads to careerism and costs the military valuable people, knowledge, wisdom, and experience.
Few subjects related to military careers cause as much contention as the up-or-out system for promotion. Under this policy, a service member who is twice passed over for promotion is forced out of the military. Today, with few exceptions, service members are expected to keep climbing the ladder toward command or senior enlisted leadership positions. All of the services, in one form or the other, practice this. All of them are making a mistake.
A broken system leads to careerism and costs the military valuable people, knowledge, wisdom, and experience.
Few subjects related to military careers cause as much contention as the up-or-out system for promotion. Under this policy, a service member who is twice passed over for promotion is forced out of the military. Today, with few exceptions, service members are expected to keep climbing the ladder toward command or senior enlisted leadership positions. All of the services, in one form or the other, practice this. All of them are making a mistake.
The ‘Up-Or-Out’ Promotion System Hurts The Military
Posted from taskandpurpose.com
Promotion Board
Military Industry
Promotion Points
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 7
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I have always said the Army screwed up when they got rid of the Spec ranks above SPC4. So much knowledge wasted. Not everyone is a leader, they need to stop trying to put square pegs in round holes.
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MGySgt James Forward
Not every Service had Specialists, so maybe that's why they went the way of the Dinosaur. Two separate systems, two promotion boards, more work. Semper Fi.
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I agree that this "up or out" way of doing things is bad. The US Army wants us to complete the required education it takes before we can even get promoted. The problem, is that there are some MOS's that only offer the prequired NCOES/PME courses a small number of times. For example, for the MOS of 68S (Preventive Medicine), we have to complete Advanced Leader Course Phase 1 (Distance Learning). Getting into this course isn't too bad, as there is normally a large number of "seats" available. Now, Advanced Leader Course Phase 2 Resident (68 series non specific) is a little more difficult as the seats get smaller and priority is for those that have already been promoted before the new policy and need the course. As for Advanced Leader Course Phase 3 Resident for 68S specific is extremely difficult as this course is offered (if you're lucky) twice a fiscal year. Again, priority given to those that have been promoted and need the course. Then, you have to sit there and worry that you will possibly hit your RCP before you can even get the course and promoted. And then the other side to that coin is that you have to worry about a possible QMP because you didn't get the NCOES completed. I agree that attrition is a part of the world, but the obstacles we have to face damn near set us NCO's up for failure the minute we get promoted to SGT.
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Looking at this as an early career Soldier, my biggest gripe with this system is that it encourages folks to be risk adverse. While being risk adverse is not only important but paramount when dealing with the lives of others...it discourages people from thinking outside the box and not being confident enough to confront an issue that might not be part of the popular opinion. Let's be realistic, there isn't a single person in uniform that hasn't made a mistake at one point in their career but this system discourages making any mistakes what so ever.
The selection boards will never be a completely unbiased or perfect process because at the end of the day this process is determined by folks just like you or me (well maybe not me as I can't believe there are any 2LTs hanging around at boards!) that are subject to our own opinions and views on a persons qualifications.
Knowing that the process is not free of bias and a fair amount of ambiguity, we should really look at supporting a system that encourages folks to be less risk adverse and rewards the right folks for staying with more than just a rank
The selection boards will never be a completely unbiased or perfect process because at the end of the day this process is determined by folks just like you or me (well maybe not me as I can't believe there are any 2LTs hanging around at boards!) that are subject to our own opinions and views on a persons qualifications.
Knowing that the process is not free of bias and a fair amount of ambiguity, we should really look at supporting a system that encourages folks to be less risk adverse and rewards the right folks for staying with more than just a rank
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