Posted on Jan 29, 2014

You can run fast, but you can't turn on a computer. Should you be getting promoted?

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I know APFT is an easily quanitfiable promotion standard, and I think its important. That being said, why do we have to put up with mid level leaders being promoted into slots and having no idea how to do the job? Why do we have SSG's in highly technical postions but can hardly operate an email inbox? Shouldnt an inability to do your job be MORE like a flag than not being able to do 40 pushups?

I dont mean to call out a specific rank, as this happens regardless of rank. But as long as they can do 19 minutes of exercise to standard incompetent soldiers are just not performing thier jobs.

Posted in these groups: P542

APFT

Promotions 8467f417

Competence 8d41fc0

Proficiency

Posted 10 y ago

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Responses: 21

SPC Robert Patrick

Posted 10 y ago

Coming from personal experience with having an NCO directly over me at one point who had no clue how to do his job and his response when I was doing as I was told and getting him site certified was,w"y should I be site certified when I have you Soldiers to do the work."  I was dumbfounded because an NCO's first and formost job is to train the troops.  How can you train your soldiers if you do not know what you are doing yourself.  I think the Army needs to go back to MOS specific testing for promotions I know it had been done in the past and had went away but now more than ever with so many more technical MOS's out there those NCO's need to know know their Jobs so they can train their soldiers.

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

one could argue that if the troops are certified, the training box is checked off.

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SFC (Join to see)

Posted 10 y ago

Why do I need to be able to turn on a computer? If I can run fast, I can run that message to whoever I need it go to. :)

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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca

10 y

I always had to run fast with a computer on me at all times. Such is the life of an S-6

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SFC (Join to see)

10 y

SFC Laws, was I the inspiration behind that "Lawsism"?

MAJ Petrarca, one of my good S-6 Battle Buddies used to say "You can talk about us... but, you can't talk without us."

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SSG (Join to see)

>1 y

I often feel that way when the network is so slow that I will get on the phone or walk to a co-workers AO to get an issue resolved.

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

that is a much more secure means of communication! :D

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SSgt (Join to see)

Posted 10 y ago

I am a slow learner, I just found out that the earth goes around the Sun. You learn something new everyday.

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SPC(P) (Join to see)

10 y

SSGT OLSON,

With all the respect that you have earned, My concern does not lie in what you know or what you do not know, it lies in the army's acceptance of soldiers being promoted that do not know their job skills. The enemy does not care if we are slow to learn, if we are slow to embrace new TTP's or if we are not good with computers. When a mortar in impacting in your LSA, when troops are in contact and need a proficient Air Ground Operations team to provide fire power support, or when a Air defense wpn system locks on to a friendly blue suit thinking its an enemy target, soldiers unable to perform their jobs according to MIL STD, are going to get troops killed. I ask for what, so someone could get a slot, so someone could retire at the next rank, so a section could get rid of a pesky soldier by promoting up and out?

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SSgt (Join to see)

10 y

As a forecaster I held the life of a pilot in my hands and even if there is no declared war you have to make snap decisions. Part of that is training but part is experience or perhaps a special insight or a hunch. At some point no regulation can explain anything and it is up to us.

I would also be concerned if an unqualified person were pencil-whipped as being competent. The Air Force tried to lower standards on forecasters when they learned, really? A political agenda trumps the lives and welfare of our troops.

Also thanks for your input because my rank does not necessarily mean I am right and I thank you for your input.

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SSgt (Join to see)

10 y

SPC Z. - The first part was just a joke.

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SPC(P) (Join to see)

10 y

Ha I know, but it still is a valid point that our expierenced soldiers have a lot of technical things to learn sometimes.

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You can run fast, but you can't turn on a computer. Should you be getting promoted?

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