Any advice for getting waivered to E-4?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:14:28 -0400

Hello all, I am currently available for waiver in February for
E-4. I was wondering if anyone had advice on how to stand out to my company COC more to get wavered. I have been putting in hard work since I got here with PT, studying about my training, and I even started to finish my college degree online. If there is anything else you could think of that can make me a better soldier to them please let me know, I'd appreciate any advice.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Aug 6 at 2019 8:47 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:47:30 -0400

Earn your EIB or your Ranger Tab. I have not seen waivers for other reasons.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 6 at 2019 8:49 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:49:55 -0400

It is your supervisor who has to see you shine and then share that with the COC. Most Cokpany level elements discuss available waivers at Platoon level. Waivers are not available every month. The 1SG creates a standing list from these conversations and when a waiver is available they select from that lists. Make yourself know through hard work, professionalism, respect for others and training this subordinate to you. Thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 6 at 2019 8:53 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:53:22 -0400

Short and simple? Be awesome. When I was the 1SG, I always kept tabs on my rockstars and my duds. Whenever I had waivers available, I always kept an eye out for my rockstars' eligibility. Just be awesome day to day. There's nothing "special" you need to do. You either deserve it day to day, or you don't. Don't try to fake the funk, that generally ends up coming out in the wash.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2019 8:53 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:53:51 -0400

What you have to do depends on the number of waivers available. I’ve had discussions with my commander about what it would take for members of my platoon and it’s literally a moving target every month.

Be the best soldier you can be - excel in your tasks and do what you need to do before you’re told to do it. Be successful with PT and offer to help other soldiers. Volunteer for schools and additional duties even though you may not have enough rank for them.

Asking others is the right first step! Keep up the good work and you will excel, just be patient with the system.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Aug 6 at 2019 8:57 AM

MSG Gary Eckert — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:57:29 -0400

You competition is every other PFC in your unit that needs a waiver. If the other PFCs are going for Soldier of the Month you should be right there with them, besting them. Same thing for weapons qualification, PT test and anything else your Platoon Sergeant can use as demonstrated evidence with the First Sergeant when they are discussing who is most deserving of the waiver.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Aug 6 at 2019 9:42 AM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 09:42:42 -0400

Every PFC who was up for one had to take a written test. I tied with some dude, so sometime in the middle of the night before a patrol, me and said dude got woken up by our platoon sergeants and taken to the 1SG's trailer. Then we had a "front leaning rest" competition where whoever could hold themselves up longest would get the waiver. I wasn't about to lose to the CO's driver, and left out of there with a waiver.

Response by PO3 Adam Stoflet made Aug 6 at 2019 2:09 PM

PO3 Adam Stoflet — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 14:09:46 -0400

Here is the things about promotions either your working for it from day one or you are scrambling last minute to look good for it. Just be the best military version of yourself. Do what needs to be done and do it right the first time. Don’t change yourself just because a promotion time is around the corner because it shows. Just because you show up and preform during that window doesn’t out way your normal every day actions and activities. On the darker side favorites and politics will factor in so don’t get to discouraged when those things rear their ugly head, but with hard work and solid performance those factors should be negligible.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Aug 6 at 2019 2:34 PM

SFC Michael D. — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 14:34:31 -0400

Ok, old school here. Do you need waivers to get promoted in the Army? What is the waiver for. I remember back in the day, you'd get called up in front of the formation or to the 1SG office and him and your Platoon Sergeant punched the stripes into your skin. You wouldn't even know that you were going to get promoted until it happened. E5 and above is a different story.

Response by SFC Joseph Wise made Aug 6 at 2019 4:04 PM

SFC Joseph Wise — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 16:04:26 -0400

A couple of things:

Firstly, it's going to depend on your organization's allotment. How many waivers are available?

Secondly, you shouldn't have to guess at the requirements to obtain a waiver of promotion to Specialist, and it shouldn't be a subjective appointment. This should be an objective look at requirements met/ not met. So, ask! There is nothing wrong or untoward in questioning your first-line supervisor/ Squad Leader/ Platoon Sergeant on what you have to do, which milestones you need to reach. Our Company has a clear checklist that needs to be met in order to receive a waiver - 270 cumulative APFT score (no less than 80 in any event), all annual online training complete, MedPros current, etc. All Soldiers are aware of these prerequisites and conditions, and strive to meet/ Surpass them for their waiver!

Short of any prescribed requirements, Be All That You Can Be! Take online courses through ATRRS and accumulate promotion points; sign up for college and utilize your tuition assistance each year (most colleges offer 5/8/9/12-week term online courses; volunteer in your community and earn your Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) (Check with your individual nit for guidelines); continually seek training possibilities (inside & outside your unit, local or abroad); ask about deployment opportunities. There are a myriad ways you can show yourself as a standout!

Good Luck!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2019 4:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 16:12:57 -0400

I had a buddy who entered the marine corps as an E-1 and made it to E-6 in like 4 or 5 years, then commissioned as a warrant and made it to WO-2, then commissioned as an officer and made it to O-4. This all happened in 22 years, which is remarkable. He said every place he went he let his commander know he was willing to accept all assignments. As soon as the commander said they needed volunteers for the weekend, his hand shot up. A commander's job isn't easy but if you make his life easier you will usually be rewarded. I agree in some respects to SFC Michael Hasbun, just be awesome, every single day, but also go out of your way to give extra and you will also shoot up in rank.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Aug 6 at 2019 5:20 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 17:20:05 -0400

As 1SG, I would have a meeting with my PSGs and discuss. Each PSG had someone they wanted. Sometimes they would agree it should be someone. When we couldn't agree and each pushed for their soldier, I would get their counseling folders to see what they have been counseled on and then award it based on that.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Aug 6 at 2019 5:57 PM

SSG Brian G. — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 17:57:19 -0400

Here is the thing. CoC are used to the hard chargers. They get people come in from AIT or another duty station and they are looking to impress. Instead be consistent in your excellence. Work hard at your PT but set a goal ie 260. And never fall below that goal. Talk a little cocky trash with NCOes to keep the motivation. Learn to call cadence and ask to do that on company runs. Learn your job but also try to learn the other guys job as well. Make sure that your soldiering skills are impeccable. Be early to formations, never late. Make sure your barracks room is always squared away.

CoC keeps an eye on all newcomers and they notice the consistency more than the hard chargers but they do keep an eye on them and the duds.

Response by SPC James Cooke made Aug 6 at 2019 10:29 PM

SPC James Cooke — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 22:29:22 -0400

Just do what you're supposed to do and be where you're supposed to be; right time, right place, right uniform. I entered the Army in June 2015 as an E-2 with college credit. Got a waiver to E-3 in January 2016 then another waiver to E-4 in December 2016. I didn't do anything special. Just did my job as a 92G and excelled at it. Didn't work on my college degree. Didn't score high on the APFT. Didn't try to, as SFC Hasbun said, "Fake the funk." I just did me and my superiors saw it enough to hand me a couple of waivers. Left as an E-4 Specialist in October 2018. (Thinking about going back in, but in a didn't MOS field)

Response by SFC Cynthia Eyer made Aug 8 at 2019 4:27 PM

SFC Cynthia Eyer — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 16:27:52 -0400

A simple answer is to be you and lead others by the best example of you. If you are a natural trainer or teacher, be that for others, regardless of their rank. If you outshine others in APFT or weapons or Soldier Skills, be the example and mentor for others who are struggling in those areas. Promotions come to those who reach out to be of service to and for others so that the entire unit, team, and mission succeed without a hitch. Take on the additional duties in areas that fit your personality. You have already been made ready for the next grade, and then the next, and so on. You answered the call to be part of something greater than yourself already. Remember why and you go be the greatest you for the greater good of all in that.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 11:03 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 23:03:22 -0400

Do the best at PT, Weapons, and MOS! Oh and volunteer!