Posted on Jul 2, 2016
When is it that the army will start promoting soldiers for their knowledge and leadership?
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Knowledge
Leadership
Promotions
Policy
Promotion Board
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 25
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I may be reading your question wrong but the army does base promotions on knowledge and leadership ability. I have yet to see a soldier promoted to sergeant without attending a promotion board which test their general military knowledge and are recommended by their leadership based on potential.
Now if you are referring to leaders who recommend their favorites for promotion, that is an issue with all services. Moreover the army promotion system is designed to prevent this. It doesn't matter If you are the favorite because If you don't have the points by doing the work, you still won't get promoted.
If you are referring to MOS knowledge test, never. We are not like the other branches of service and the army sees general military knowledge as more important that MOS specific knowledge. I didn't understand this until I reclassed. Going into a new MOS as a sergeant, I was nervous about leading soldiers who were more proficient in the MOS, but what I learned was my capabilities as a leader allowed me to learn WHILE leading. It also taught me to be humble enough to know I didn't know it all and I could learn from my subordinates which built a strong bond of trust.
Now if you are referring to leaders who recommend their favorites for promotion, that is an issue with all services. Moreover the army promotion system is designed to prevent this. It doesn't matter If you are the favorite because If you don't have the points by doing the work, you still won't get promoted.
If you are referring to MOS knowledge test, never. We are not like the other branches of service and the army sees general military knowledge as more important that MOS specific knowledge. I didn't understand this until I reclassed. Going into a new MOS as a sergeant, I was nervous about leading soldiers who were more proficient in the MOS, but what I learned was my capabilities as a leader allowed me to learn WHILE leading. It also taught me to be humble enough to know I didn't know it all and I could learn from my subordinates which built a strong bond of trust.
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CPT John Sheridan
SSG Ray Petersen - As for your example, I do realize that situations occur that take soldiers away from their principle job and some of these can be extended assignments. As a prospective leader though, the soldier has to take agency in this.
1) There is always time for study and practice. This doesn't get all of the way to full proficiency, but it does get much of the way.
2) As a prospective leader, it is contingent upon the individual to keep this from happening. Special assignments like that should be for a limited time and a soldier that desires to progress through the ranks to become a leader should request appropriate assignments.
Upon arriving at the next unit, the soldier should inform his new chain of command of his previous orderly room assignment, express his desire to become a troop leader and attend the SGT board, and request assignment to a platoon.
Many soldiers enlist with the intent of serving 4 years (or 2 or 3) and getting out. It's not at all unusual for a commander/1SG to select a soldier who is willing and capable yet expresses no ambition, for an assignment like the orderly room and keep him there. The principle responsibility is upon the prospective leader to seek experience he needs.
1) There is always time for study and practice. This doesn't get all of the way to full proficiency, but it does get much of the way.
2) As a prospective leader, it is contingent upon the individual to keep this from happening. Special assignments like that should be for a limited time and a soldier that desires to progress through the ranks to become a leader should request appropriate assignments.
Upon arriving at the next unit, the soldier should inform his new chain of command of his previous orderly room assignment, express his desire to become a troop leader and attend the SGT board, and request assignment to a platoon.
Many soldiers enlist with the intent of serving 4 years (or 2 or 3) and getting out. It's not at all unusual for a commander/1SG to select a soldier who is willing and capable yet expresses no ambition, for an assignment like the orderly room and keep him there. The principle responsibility is upon the prospective leader to seek experience he needs.
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SSG Ray Petersen
Sir,
Great response and I understand what you are saying. I know how this feels, I am signal, was put in an ADA unit and I am currently in a Signal Unit. Of course I have never worked with the equipment that I am supposed to work on and I know that at my next unit (if I don't attend OCS) I will inform them of my background from my previous assignments
Great response and I understand what you are saying. I know how this feels, I am signal, was put in an ADA unit and I am currently in a Signal Unit. Of course I have never worked with the equipment that I am supposed to work on and I know that at my next unit (if I don't attend OCS) I will inform them of my background from my previous assignments
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SGT Gary Sokol
Staff Sergeant, although the system is designed to prevent leaders promoting their favorites, the buddy system still exists. I have seen many promoted who had not passed AFPT, had not been to NCO Development School, etc. Also, I have seen leaders recommend awards just to accumulate points, and schools which fill up before they have even been posted. Strong evidence that the "good ol' boy" network is still in place.
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT Gary Sokol - I agree, unfortunately there is no way to completely prevent this from happening. Only We can only control our foxhole. As you grow prevent these actions from happening in your ranks as I intend to do in mine. We can make it better as a team!
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Well, that has been an age-old question for centuries. Within the current system that exists, it is hard to see this happening without the necessary Soldiering and MOS technical know-how. Simply be the best at what you have been trained to do, and you will be noticed.
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In all honestly I think we are the beginning of another change in the army. With the new STEP system you have to start looking at places to gain the extra knowledge to get points for the next rank. Schools and college have become more important. NCOES is mandatory to reach the next rank. CL and Distinguished Honor grad make a huge difference now.
Then you have the new NCOER that is very similar to the OER. This is making NCO's take another look at how they are standing apart from their peers. Not everyone can be the best now.
Just remember we arn't a new army. We are the best because we adapt and change. And this seems to be the next big change.
Then you have the new NCOER that is very similar to the OER. This is making NCO's take another look at how they are standing apart from their peers. Not everyone can be the best now.
Just remember we arn't a new army. We are the best because we adapt and change. And this seems to be the next big change.
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