Force Soldiers to go to the promotion board?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 02:21:36 -0400

My First Sergeant once told me that being recommended for promotion to the next level at the promotion board means that those top NCOs or officers on the board 'sees' some leadership potential in the individual they are recommending for promotion.

With that in mind is it necessary to 'force' soldiers to the promotion board or any other such boards? Is it not something that the individual should be hungry to go in for? Lastly how does 'forcing' soldiers who might necessarily not be willing, to the board impact the 'kinds' of leaders we have today in the NCO Corps?

So the question is; as far as leadership and ambitions go, SHOULD SOLDIERS BE FORCED TO GO TO THE BOARD?

What are your thoughts?

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Jul 17 at 2014 4:05 AM

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:05:29 -0400

No. Saying that, I have heavily encouraged Soldiers to go to the board when they were reticent to do so themselves. Often they are nervous or scared of the process or they are just looking to get out. A lot of folks who want to get out change their minds and then regret not going to the board. So I encourage Soldiers to go to the board, but I have never forced one to go.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 17 at 2014 6:50 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 06:50:08 -0400

I would say no, a soldier should not be forced to go to a promotion board. Having said that, one must realize that the military is once again drawing down and the 'up or out' philosophies will begin be reshaped to reflect this so those service members will not be competitive to remain in service. (Of course this does not apply to the dirtbags as referenced by CW2 Jonathan Kantor , they should be dealt with as appropriate and wouldn't appear before a board even if they wanted to.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Jul 17 at 2014 3:43 PM

1SG Mike Case — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 15:43:17 -0400

I would say if you see the potential in a Soldier, you make that Soldier start studying and preparing. I do not know why Soldiers do not want to be promoted. When I was that young Soldiers, when we had "free time" my Squad Leader made me get my correspondence books out and I had that to do. I did not get to play "reindeer games" with all the other PFC's and SPC's. Lo and behold, I was selected for promotion for SGT and they were not. My squad leader didn't give me the option, he molded me. I didn't want to go to the board because I had never been to one. It was that unknown that frightened me. So, I tell my NCO's, if you see that potential for a Soldier to become a leader, get them going. Some Soldiers fight it and such but that big ass smile on their face when they pin on SGT, sure does tell truly how they feel. There are Soldiers who truly do not desire to advance in the military. They want to be a SPC. I counsel them on the benefits of being a NCO and the good things that come with it and maybe potential negative things that might, for example, you might interview for a job after getting out and that person might be a veteran as well and will see a Soldier didn't make it past SPC in 6 years and will say they want someone who will push themselves and not someone happy being average. If we didn't force the good ones to go, then we would be an Army of Junior Enlisted.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Jul 19 at 2014 12:00 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 00:00:45 -0400

We are in the business of growing leaders to run our Army.

If a supervisor recommends a Soldier and they do not "want" to go - easy, Bar them for "failure to progress".

Once they understand what the Army is about and they are recommended and want to attend - they have overcome the Bar - it will be lifted.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 4:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:36:11 -0500

While I can't say I volunteered to go to the Promotion board, I would not say I was forced necessarily. I was told simply that I would need to start studying for the board, because I would be going as soon as possible. Unfortunately at this time, due to leave that is coming up, I will not be able to go to the very first one that I am eligible to go to. However, I anticipate using some of the down time to study so that I will be more than ready. I honestly am proud of the simple fact that my leadership sees something in me that make them believe I will be a good NCO. That fact alone has already filled me with confidence and pride, that I am doing the right thing, and that my leadership wants to see me succeed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 2:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:55:52 -0500

No because a Soldier may not believe that they are not ready for the next level of leadership. Sometimes a Soldier doesn't feel ready because they have never had Soldiers of their own, especially a SGT going for SSG.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 1 at 2014 9:02 PM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:02:45 -0500

Force them to go? No -- absolutely not. Do we really want "leaders" that don't want to be there?

I don't know if this is still a thing but when I was in, you had a certain amount of time that you could be a certain rank before the Army kicked you out. I think it was called retention control points. That was how the Army handled troops that didn't want to advance.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 11:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 23:39:35 -0500

Well, you can lead a horse to water...
In the Guard, if you are "picked up" for promotion, you can decline all the live long day. And remain in your current E-4 rank, in your MOS, until retirement or ETS. As long as you don't care about the glance between your service stripes and your rank, anyway.

Response by PO1 Walter Duncan made Dec 3 at 2014 1:37 PM

PO1 Walter Duncan — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:37:07 -0500

Great topic. Years ago, the same situation occurred with me. My MCPO wanted me to move up but I felt I was not ready. I declined. (idiot) Well 4 months later I was smoking along and results came in and some guys went by me who were , well , they should not have, but my fault. MCPO dogged me and he had a right to and till the day I left I used that as a tool to tell my guys to never wait. When I thought they were ready, I would make sure they were there. But, it is not forcing it is creating leaders, such a good topic.

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Dec 3 at 2014 1:48 PM

SFC Steven Harvey — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:48:07 -0500

I will never force someone to go. I make them come to me to tell me why they want to be an NCO and a leader.

I will highly encourage Soldiers to progress their careers in councilings, but before I recommend they have to actually come to me and tell me why they want it.

They then get 90 days to show me and after that if they haven't completely screwed up I'll recommend it.

Response by PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 3:57 PM

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 15:57:55 -0500

my grandpa once told me great leaders want to lead, not for the power but to help better the lives of others as well as to better an organization

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Dec 4 at 2014 7:26 PM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:26:49 -0500

Not every Soldier is leadership material, but that mean the military can't utilize their talents. The military is technologically advanced than ever in our history. Meaning, kicking servicemen (SM) and women out is wasting a lot of experience is knowledge. I believe we should bring back the specialists ranks up to E-9 as an alternate track. SM should the right and be qualified for leadership roles. For example, I can have every confidence in a SM ability to repair a missile launcher ,and he/she not necessarily be the best fit to lead or train a squad or platoon

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2014 1:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 13:01:57 -0500

All leaders should recommend the best for promotion; but if one of those identified says no then that should be a topic of discussion/counseling to find out why. If the Soldier has a legitimate reason or serious concerns than maybe that should be considered before sending them to the board. I would say the bigger problem was the practice of sending Soldiers to boards when there leaders said they weren't ready. That has caused more chaos in the ranks than first line leaders sending Soldiers they deemed worthy for higher levels of responsibility and position.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 5:18 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 05:18:23 -0500

Soldiers should not be forced to go to the board. This is the reason why we have such inept leaders now, we forced these people to take charge and they can't or refuse to. Now if a Soldier is board eligible and doesn't want to go, no problem.....bar their ass from reenlisting. They don't want to progress, so don't force them.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Dec 16 at 2014 8:57 AM

1SG Eric Rice — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:57:12 -0500

As we progress through the ranks we start to notice positive character traits in our subordinates and peers that meet essential criterion for becoming a steward of our profession as well as advance in leadership. There are a select few that may need the encouragement to attend promotion boards and be directed to attend.

That being said there have been many individuals that have not been ready and either directed by the chain of command or through automatic promotion that advanced prematurely. Some of these individuals took on the responsibility and excelled and others have tarnished the NCO Corps.

In my professional opinion no soldier should be forced to attend a promotion board. If the soldier's direct leadership feels that he/she should be promoted then they must convey that to the soldier and encourage them to want to advance not force them to.

Response by SGT Joseph Smith made Dec 17 at 2014 9:26 AM

SGT Joseph Smith — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 09:26:53 -0500

I was promoted without going to a board... My command just told me "Hey, guess what?" And a beating on the chest later: you get the point.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 17 at 2014 10:45 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:45:30 -0500

Force? no.. Encourage a worthy future leader that does not have a good grasp at what it takes to bring his goals to reality.. Sure

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 10:58 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:58:01 -0500

Two thoughts here. The board is an experience that could open someone up. You never know when someone will rise to the occasion. That being said, I'm against "forcing" someone to go to the board. They have a choice. Reach RCP or go to the board. If they wait until they hiht RCP every time, they are going to be behind their peer group, but that doesn't mean it's bad, it just means they don't reach the level of maturity necessary to make that kind of decision. I know Troopers who would make a great specialist...forever. Wouldn't trust them with the safekeeping of my Gentleman Jack, let alone other Troopers.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 10:27 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 22:27:01 -0500

No you shouldn't force them because they are not ready. If they want to sit were they are because it is too much work to get promoted then they can sit were they are and I will be happy to do the paperwork when it is time to kick them put.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 5:53 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 05:53:02 -0500

CSM,

Call me crazy (and I know that some times you do...) but I think we do a disservice forcing people to the board who aren't ready or permanently penalizing someone who declines for what may well be very personal, but valid reasons. If a Soldier wants to stay a specialist for 10 years and they maintain proficiency, work hard, and get the job done, what's the harm in that. I'd rather have 20 of those guys/gals than even 1 hard charging type whose self serving initiative fits the Army's promotion timeline better.

As you know, I have 5 kids. Each one of them learned to walk, talk, run, and throw at their own pace. God help me, but SJ might literally be doing flips from the floor before her 5th b-day!! But I digress... point is, as with any skill- whether it be physical, mental, or leadership (or fill in the blank) we are all different and we all develop at different speeds and based upon different experiences. The environment that a Soldier grows up in will have a tremendous impact on how they develop, their resiliency, their desire to succeed, and their threshold for failure or success.

What is so magical about an arbitrary timeline that changes with the winds (or at very least depending on the personality of the SMA)? I think we can all agree that we just flat out promoted people (officers and enlisted) too quickly from 2006 to 2012.

I say send a trooper to the board when they are ready and have a desire to do it. If they aren't ready or willing, get them ready or make sure they understand that their peers will be passing them by and giving them orders before too long. Worse leaders I ever had were the ones that got promoted because it was simply "their time."

Tip of the hat to you brother... great question and discussion!!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 4:48 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:48:18 -0500

Soldier of the Month Board is a training opportunity, a learning opportunity for soldiers. They will learn and grow from being "forced" to go to these boards. Most soldiers don't want to go to these boards, in a way that is the point. A board makes a soldier uncomfortable, and they learn to deal with stress and having to critically think on their feet. These boards are a part of being a soldier and dodging these and finding excuses to get out of them is just like malingering, and should be counseled as such.

Promotion boards soldiers should only be sent to when their leadership feels they are ready for the next step. I have the same feeling as 1SG Mike Case that we would be "an Army of Junior Enlisted" if we didn't mold, mentor and motivate the good ones to get their stripes. I had this conversation even today with a soldier and most are all happy just being a Specialist.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2015 12:49 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 12:49:03 -0500

For all my fellow NCO's that are stating that soldiers should not be forced to go to the board you will discover that the automatic integration list will "force" soldiers to not go to the board but force them to become NCOs. If we as NCOs don't train, lead and mentor these SPC's that are in star MOS's to be ready to be leaders the next thing you know they will have stripes and be poor NCOs. There are many MOS's within the last year that have gone to automatic promotion, and there is no way to guarantee the quality of these new NCO's. Never let a soldier sit idle and just collect a paycheck, always help them move forward and not stagnate. For those soldiers that resist and show "Failure to Progress" they need to be counseled correctly with goals and a plan so they don't end up on the automatic promotion list and become a poor NCO.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 9:36 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 09:36:11 -0500

Yes. The Army is a progressive system. Everyone needs to make the effort of getting promoted, not just board but going to college, military education and even increasing you PT. score. If you not attempting to keep up with your peers you can be Barred and/or Chaptered from the Army. AR 601-280 Chapter 8.
If you could stay in without making the effort to go to boards then what are we showing other Soldier they need to be doing. How do we determine the best qualified to stay in the Army if we drawdown more.
Your required to build you promotion packet to get promoted.
Looks like the Army is forcing leadership by making you get promoted but in reality if you cant do this you will RCP (Retention Control Point) out the Army anyways and someone else will take your spot. So yes they can make you or they can chapter you.
Yoru being paid with tax payer money its waste and abuse if you are allowed to ride out your time without development of any kind. Its criminal to allow yourself to leave the Army without making a effort to be a productive civilian.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 12:06 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:06:37 -0500

I believe that the recommendations are great, but ultimately the progression and desire rely on the SMs own initiative. If someone is an E6 and gets promoted to E7 to manage a platoon, with the added responsibilities, then there is a potential that the job will not get performed up to standard.

Furthermore, as we are downsizing, we are taking jobs away from Soldiers that DO want to progress, may be fully capable, but may not be selected during that timeframe. I would rather have someone that wants that progression, the challenges, and the opportunities that comes with it. As long as that Soldier/SM is content with the direction that their career is taking, I am generally satisfied as well.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2015 12:15 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:15:23 -0500

What promotion board at the unit level has officers on it.

Response by SFC Kip Brewer made Feb 20 at 2015 2:20 AM

SFC Kip Brewer — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 02:20:29 -0500

As an NCO, throughout your career you will be put in situations where you have to force your Soldiers to do things they don't want to do, but forcing a Soldier to attend a promotion board is not one of those situations. In forcing a Soldier to attend a promotion board before they are ready you are not only doing that Soldier an injustice but everyone affected by that Soldiers performance as well, from the lowest ranking private all the way up the chain of command.

As a first line supervisor and NCO it is your responsibility to coach, mentor, and lead your Soldiers. In doing so each and every day you gain invaluable knowledge of all your Soldiers because you are right there with them performing each and every task given to you by your PSG or PL. What you see and learn about your Soldiers in regards to their daily performance and potential should be reflected in their monthly counseling statements as well in event-specific counseling. Then when the topic of promotion comes up there is a means to justify to the Soldier or to your senior leaders as to why a Soldier should or should not be sent to a promotion board. I can honestly say I never once had to stand in front of the CSM as a platoon sergeant and explain why I was sending a Soldier to the promotion board. I did have to make several trips to his office to explain why I wasn't sending a Soldier to the board when it was time for "automatic" promotions, and it was on those trips with counseling packets in hand I was able to show him why, and not just try and draw him a verbal picture.

NCO's are in the business of leading and inspiring their Soldiers by providing purpose, direction and motivation. If done effectively you will find that there are three basic types of Soldiers, in my opinion. Those who your leadership has impacted and they are inspired to be like you, these are the Soldiers who will rise to the occasion and themselves start leading by example as they move up the ranks. They'll be the ones begging to go to the promotion board because their hungry. Then you will have those Soldiers who will simply do things out of spite. These are typically Soldiers who just show up and initially put forth the bare minimum effort until enough verbal beatings and corrective training sessions have occurred that they start performing just to spite you. They will be hesitant to go to the promotion board so start them out slow, do some impromto platoon boards, or a company level board, then send them to a NCO/SOM board. As stated above their confidence will grow and soon they'll be asking to go. The best thing about these Soldiers is once they get going and they figure out the hard right is unarguably better than the easy wrong they often times begin to shine and in the end, if they admit it or not, they to were inspired by you. Then you have your below average Soldiers, the ones who barely show up, stand in the shadows and try and skate through every task given them but using the "Oh, I didn't know" line. These are the most challenging Soldiers to lead and inspire and while you will have some success stories at the end of your career most often the story ends with, "So he was chaptered out for".

In short, it is every Soldiers individual responsibility to manage their own career and seek progression when they deem themselves ready or opportunity presents itself, but it is an NCOs responsibility to make sure they're ready when that time comes. But to "Force", never.

Response by 1SG Curtis Hobson made Feb 25 at 2015 2:02 PM

1SG Curtis Hobson — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 14:02:01 -0500

As a Platoon Sergeant I was forced by my 1SG to send a couple of soldiers to the board and even though we had study sessions they just did not do very well at the board. I think they just were not motivated enough to go and so even though you put the time in with them they still didn't make the effort and it reflected. At the end of the day it was my fault they didn't do well because I obviously did not properly motivate them.

When I was promoted to 1SG I did the same thing to my Platoon Sergeants even though I cursed my previous 1SGs for making me send troops to the board. If my Platoon Sergeants did not show why the soldier was unable to attend the board in the monthly counseling then I told them to get the soldiers ready for the board and if they failed then it was going to be on the Platoon Sergeant, Section Chief, and Squad Leader. We also had a pre-board at the unit level and if the soldier was ate up then obviously I'd pull the packet and we'd all have a little group huddle to try to figure out how to best motivate the soldier to do better.

As leaders you have to develop your soldiers and motivate them to advance. You can't just say, "1SG, SPC Snuffy just flat out doesn't want to go so I'm not sending them." It doesn't work that way. You have to figure out why SPC Snuffy doesn't want to go and then fix it so SPC Snuffy does want to go. Proper motivation is the key. It is a vicious cycle that never ends and as soon as you learn to embrace it and take personal accountability it's like a bright light will suddenly appear and you will say, AH HAAA! Now I get it. Unfortunately it takes some NCO's longer than others to reach this AH HAAA! moment but it's a beautiful thing when it does finally happen.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Feb 25 at 2015 2:19 PM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 14:19:13 -0500

I say, "If you have to force a Soldier to attend the promotion board, they clearly are not ready for promotion."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 8:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 20:54:36 -0500

Should Soldiers be forced to go to the board? Absolutely not. Not every Soldier matures and is capable of making sound leadership decisions let alone filling the mentorship task that comes as a leader.

Going to the board isn't mandatory, and as a leader (sponsor for the boarded soldier), NCO's must be able to assess what the individuals developmental skill gaps. Once identified, and this is the problem, 1st line leaders must be able to effectively counsel and guide Soldiers to the point of being capable of leading.

I feel that this is one of the reasons why we are having so many issues as an NCO Corp, promoting Soldier too fast. They may want to be promoted, them may be great at boards, but do they possess the skills to provide purpose, direction, and motivation in a manner consistent with being a NCO.

Along with that, we cannot turn into an NCO Corp which is afraid of addressing Seniors in an honest and precision based manner. If you have identified a reason not to promote and eligible Soldier, state so and be ready to support your reason. This does prove difficult though if you fail to do developmental counselings correctly.

Response by SSG Brian Kresge made Jun 11 at 2015 3:23 PM

SSG Brian Kresge — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:23:29 -0400

I have been an E-5 for some time, though once I am MOSQed, promotion won't be long in coming.

It's not for lack of capability - my NCOERs are always good, I'm still good for PT and weapons qual, maxed on awards, more than maxed on college. I had a negative counseling statement once over a decade ago, never had any UCMJ.

It's two factors - one is that I really enjoyed the roles I've inhabited, especially as an infantryman. I *liked* being a machine gunner. I *liked* being an automatic rifleman. I liked being a team leader, and I liked being a Stryker vehicle commander. I found each position rewarding, and attaining new levels of leadership was always secondary to the love I found with being an infantryman.

The second factor is something that really hit home when I came to the Guard from the Active Duty. I do really well in my civilian career. I serve because I love serving with people from my community, not because I desire to lead people from my community.

I know I am a leader, and especially now that I'm in a staff job, I find myself more engaged in gaining rank for the sake of professional credibility amongst other staff NCOs.

But penalizing or forcing leaders to become leaders in garrison is a bad idea. For me it was never about ambition or drive, or even a lack of capability, but contentment with excellence at the level I inhabit. 9 times out of 10, the person that needs to step up *when it truly matters* will, but merely to fulfil some preconceived notion of what a military career trajectory must resemble?

Sometimes I wonder if what hobbles the perception of the modern NCO Corps as lesser than decades past is the precipitous rise of the emotionally immature to levels of profound responsibility and accountability.

Response by SGT Anthony Hollars made Mar 22 at 2016 8:06 AM

SGT Anthony Hollars — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 08:06:12 -0400

I was almost force promoted. My unit was pushing me to go to the SSG board, but I had just over a year left in service. I had every intention of getting out and not reenlisting again. It didn't matter. For some reason, my 1SG gave me a direct order to bring a board packet to his desk by the end of the day. 3 hours later, I had PCS orders. No board appearance. Nothing he did or said could change my mind. He even called my wife at home asking her to talk to me, which she refused to do, citing treatment I received at the platoon level. They even told me to write my own PCS award when I told them about my orders.

Forcing soldiers to study and prepare for a board is not a good idea. It was one of many reason why I chose not to stay. My supervisors couldn't even be bothered to ask what was going on, or why I was too busy to study. I wasn't a stellar squad leader by anyone's definition. Just 6 months prior, I was threatened with demotion and a "relief for cause" due to another NCO's mistake. In my personal life, I had just had my first child. My time was occupied with something I considered legitimate. Why the sudden turnaround? I have no idea.

Response by SSG Robert Lockwood made Jun 26 at 2017 6:38 PM

SSG Robert Lockwood — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 18:38:55 -0400

If a soldier does not desire to goto the promotion board to better themselves, then I would not send them. I do not want soldiers who were forced to be NCO's. I want the soldier to be hungry for it and want to lead by example. So if said soldier does not want to be promoted, then the soldier would not serve in any leadership roles whatsoever. I would put someone in the role who wanted to be there

Response by CSM Oren "Pete" Barclay made Jul 5 at 2017 10:51 PM

CSM Oren "Pete" Barclay — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 22:51:39 -0400

I spent nearly 22 years in the Army and sat on many a promotion board as a 1SG, SGM, AND CSM and I have never heard of anyone being force to go before one.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 5:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 17:00:17 -0400

I am a SGT with 2 years TIG and total 7 1/2 years TIS. I will be ETS'ing in 10 months (May 1st). I am being told now that if I do not attend a NCOM/Promotion board I will receive a bar to continue service. Which is a punitive action. I have never been in trouble or some much as have a negative counciling really. Instead I am told that I show the potential to work above my pay-grade on a consistent basis. I have loved my time with the army, in fact I have already got job offers for when I finish school to return as a GS employee. My separation from the active duty service is due to my choice to place my family first. My kids are getting older and wanting to stay in the same schools, and my wife is finished with school and ready to start her career. why am I being punished for not wanting to go to the board? I cant get promoted because I cant get into the NCOES even if I get my promotable status tomorrow. I would like to finish my contract out and ETS Honorably and in good standing with the army.

Response by SSG Angela Koch made Nov 4 at 2019 5:07 PM

SSG Angela Koch — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 17:07:34 -0500

I never liked how my unit sent people to borads for numbers. My initial counseling spoke of the board and when they were ready or I felt they were ready we would discuss it. I had a Spc ask to be sent, he was squared away more than some Sgt's. I said, when would you like to go, then I set up two mock boards w E6-E7's the first was in Class A's were we measured and made remarks, the second one was in BDU's. If he hadn't progressed in the second board I could pull packet. The young soldier beamed w pride and confidence and he did an outstanding job on the board and soon got promoted at his next duty station.