Why You Get Passed Over for Promotions

Good general advice for any job however I do have some issues with the Army's centralized promotion system. Mostly in the lack of individual feedback people who are passed over receive. I understand the board members do not have a lot of time to review each packet yet alone provide feedback and that after a board a memo is released stating common themes which people were lacking in. This memo is not specific enough for people who did not do any of those things wrong to be able to identify why they were not selected. Additionally after a board you are recommended to speak to your 1SG or CSM to provide you guidance. Well if you were squared away you probably received guidance from them before your board and they can only guess as to why you got passed over. There is just a general lack of transparency on what the board is looking for or how they are selecting people. If there was some way to provide better individual feedback for how the Soldier compared to his or her peers at that specific board it might help at least a little.

Ronnie Smithwick: Good Morning! I always try to go above and beyond the call of duty; in everything that I endeavor to do. -Margaret