Is the new STEP program truly that great?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 15:52:09 -0400

Although a great concept. It is still a very new program. Here is my issue. We are sending many Soldiers who do not plan on staying in the Army to the promotion board and pinning them the next month in many cases. I'm in Intel and our cutoff points are usually very low for E5. My entire squad minus one soldier has expressed their dislike with the Army however, still got promoted. They get the mission done but dont have the best of attitudes and wine too much. Shouldn't the Army save the money and not send soldiers to the board who are adement about leaving the service? All of my newest Sergeants have less than a year left. I love them to death and have tried to encourage them on staying on many occasions. Thoughts.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2018 4:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 16:01:04 -0400

You would think they would stay in because they can receive a pension and not just a 401k like new soldiers starting in 2017. Maybe they should try to finish their college education and go green to Gold and go to OCS . Hopefully, some of them get their college degree and go back active duty or go to the National Guard and Army Reserve. I didn't join the Army until I was 31 but I went in as an e-4. I went through California guard OCS and became a second Lieutenant at age 33 years 9 months. Something to think about for those of you who are getting out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2018 4:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 16:15:34 -0400

The only thing new about the STEP program is the name. Before the surge, SMs were required to complete NCOES prior to pinning on rank.
Although, by your post I assume you mean the policy that all eligible Soldiers will be sent to the board. Everyone is getting out of the Army, whether it's this year or next decade. People are being promoted because there is a critical need to fill those positions.

Response by LCDR Robert S. made Aug 3 at 2018 5:57 PM

LCDR Robert S. — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 17:57:51 -0400

No, the Army shouldn't save money and not send Soldiers to the board who are planning to leave the service, because there are enough factors that go into the decision to stay or go that getting promoted might be the thing that convinces a Soldier (or the Soldier's spouse) to stay in for another couple years. Or the Soldier might leave and decide in a year or two that he misses it, and either comes back in or affiliates with the Reserve or National Guard, and having made Sergeant is what makes him decide that yeah, it's worth going back.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2018 11:08 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 11:08:12 -0400

Proper counseling and mentorship. A soldier is selected and recommended by someone else to attend the board, I never seen an E4 just walk into the board without recommendations and a packet. If you think a Soldier does not deserve to be recommended for promotion, do your due diligence and counsel the soldier in order to prevent them to attend. But remember, your leadership and ability to coach and mentor will determine how many soldiers stay in, or get out.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2018 7:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 19:09:54 -0400

If they're truly adamant about getting out, nobody is forcing promotion. They always have the option to decline board attendance and accept a bar to continued service....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2018 1:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 13:00:40 -0400

Well said

Response by MCPO Robert McCombs made Aug 6 at 2018 7:12 AM

MCPO Robert McCombs — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 07:12:55 -0400

I worked at the Navy Advancement Center for 9 years of my career. I know the Army has a different advancement system, but for all services it comes down to the same thing. Is the person eligible? Just because they want to exit the service when their contract is up doesn't mean they shouldn't get advanced, especially if they are very good at their job and have mastered many of the new skills required for the next higher paygrade. You shouldn't penalize a person just becausef they don't want to stay in the military. And you never know, that person may have a change of heart and re-enlist.