Do you think your service component's assignment process is fair?

Professional Development NCOs (PDNCOs) and Assignment Managers should assign based on three criteria.  (1) Needs of the Army.  What needs to be filled now?  Maybe it is a nominative assignment, a priority fill, etc.  (2) Professional Development of the Soldier.  Is this the next assignment that this Soldier needs for professional growth?  (3) Soldier preference.  Where does the Soldier want to go?  Maybe that is based off of ASK preferences, phone calls, email, etc.  That was how the process worked when I worked as the Schools Manager in Armor Branch at PERSCOM "back in the day."

It is great when all three align and "everyone" is satisfied.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case.  There are a lot of variables that go into placing a Soldier on requisition also.  Things like time on station, rank, dwell time, dual military, EFMP, etc.  In my opinion, I believe the process is about as fair as it can be.