Posted on Feb 2, 2015
SGT Squad Leader
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Why is the Army still basing the E5 and E6 promotions on boards about general Army questions and questionable leadership styles? Why not MOS capabilities knowledge? We joined the Army to learn a skill, gain some self-awareness, discipline, and to become a leader. Everyone needs to know their job before they think about becoming NCO's. What are your thoughts?
Posted in these groups: Star PromotionsPromotion board logo Promotion Board
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Responses: 8
CSM Brigade Operations (S3) Sergeant Major
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Edited 10 y ago
SGT (Join to see) someone recommended to attend the promotion board is recommended by their leaders. They should already be proficient in their MOS if their leaders are recommending they be promoted. There should be more than just general questions asked at a promotion board. The SMA required promotion boards to ask questions based on doctrine from the ADPs and ADRPs, along with general Soldier knowledge. To be a good NCO you need to know more than your job, you need to know what to do if one of your Soldiers is having financial problems, you need to know how and why the individual tasks you train your Soldiers on compliment the collective tasks that support your units METL, you need to know unit/Army history so you can teach your Soldiers how proud they should be to serve in the unit.

I have thrown many Soldiers and NCOs out of promotion boards who were not ready to be NCOs or the next level of NCO. I knew they were damn good Infantrymen, just weren't ready to be damn good NCOs.
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SGT AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairer
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From my experiance i think that would be a great idea but unfortunitly does not happen. It could be just my unit but If your not in the "IN" crowd it does not matter if you know your job. When i was an E4 i have taught everyone in my section how to properly be an Apache helicopter mechanic from subordinates, peers, and superiors alike to be passed on by them. Because i wasnt in the "IN" crowd i focused on my job and to make sure everyone met or excedded the expectations of their job. I could just be frustrated too. Ive been with the same company for 7 years and 3 deployments and just irritated with it. My 2 cents anyways.
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SSG Parachute Rigger
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SGT (Join to see), it seems to me that the promotion board these days is sort of a formality.

It is not a true promotion board that grants points like back in the day.
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SGT Squad Leader
SGT (Join to see)
10 y
In a way that's true. But if a Soldier "fails" the board, their not promoted. So that means there is some reason we still hold these boards. Most of the time, it seems they just want to try and make Soldiers scared or nervous.
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SSG Parachute Rigger
SSG (Join to see)
10 y
Unfortunately they can still pop up on the automatic promotions list now when they have the time in service.
It is crazy. I have seen it.
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CSM Brigade Operations (S3) Sergeant Major
CSM (Join to see)
10 y
Soldiers and NCOs appear on the CLI because their leaders fail to conduct proper counseling. If a Soldier is circled NO on the AAA but there is no counseling on why the eligible Soldier is not being recommended he/she will be integrated for promotion with the default promotion points.

Units are always complaining about shortages of mid level NCOs. Look at any USR and the critical shortages are usually skill level two and three. It is the leaders responsibility to develop their Soldiers to be leaders IAW ADP 7-0. Unfortunately developing leaders is more of a catch phrase these days. If units cannot produce enough mid level NCOs to fill the ranks the Army can lower the promotion points to the CLI default and fill the required shortages.

It is important to develop leaders and send them to promotion boards. If all development fails and the Soldier does not have the potential to be a leader, he/she need to be counseled and guided towards ETS. If you as a leader do not develop or counsel you could possibly end up with a NCO promoted from the CLI who will do more harm than good.
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