Can 12 people be sent to soldier of the month board?

2020-10-07T08:01:22-04:00

Right now in my unit, any SPC who is their secondary zone and doesn't decide to go to a promotion board, has to do the soldier of the month board. How should I go about it? Just bite the bullet and watch as 10 other people purposefully fail or is there some kind of action i can take?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 8:10 AM

2020-10-07T08:10:48-04:00

I never understood why Soldiers get forced to compete. It kind of defeats the purpose. But then again, units don't want to be seen as the one CO/BN who DOESN't send a person as like anything else, it raises questions. (to which I would say - they're busy training for things that matter - i.e. warfighting). If the Soldier volunteers - awesome, good luck. I would never send someone who doesn't want to though.
To your question: the more that compete, in theory, the more likely they are to find the "best"

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 7 at 2020 8:24 AM

2020-10-07T08:24:39-04:00

Your only feasible option is to do the board. It's not worth the smoke you will attract otherwise. It will also be used against you when it comes time to send folks to schools or other details.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Oct 7 at 2020 8:43 AM

2020-10-07T08:43:23-04:00

So, many things to say here. Ok, boards are not there for anyone too fail. They are there to help prepare you for the ROLE of an NCO. You make think it's pointless but how else are you going to learn how to present in front of SM's, talk to them. It will help build your confidence, control and gives you a better understanding of your presence. GO....LEARN.....and GROW!!!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 8:47 AM

2020-10-07T08:47:53-04:00

I'm going to let you in on a secret that apparently no one shared with you:
In your unit, every SPC who isn't going to the promotion board is going to the soldier of the month board to learn from experience what a board is like and have a frame of reference to better prepare for a promotion board, without having to fail a promotion board to do so.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 12:27 PM

2020-10-07T12:27:45-04:00

SoM Boards are great stepping stones/learning experiences before you get to a Promotion Board. Get the kinks and wrinkles out. The one action you can take is do the best you can and NOT purposefully walk into the SoM Board and look like a bag of shit.