Posted on Jun 12, 2015
Do you or did you follow your branch career map to help you develop yourself for promotion
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Military Career
US Army
Enlisted
Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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No, but I developed one myself for my subordinate Soldiers.
Civil Affairs is a difficult branch to develop yourself in and prepare for higher responsibility in very diverse and evolving problem sets.
I built a reading list, and a school schedule by rank, similar to the published ones, but informed by experience. Difficult concepts such as interagency cooperation and social dynamics during crisis were for more senior Soldiers. Junior Soldiers got exposed to city planning, societal norms and behaviors, language training, and measures of effectiveness.
I think my highest calling is to give my Soldiers the tools they need to succeed in challenging conditions. I can't really "train" them in the traditional sense for assymetric mission sets. If they acquire the means to develop the situation, apply their talents to the problem, and resource properly, I have done them a great service.
Civil Affairs is a difficult branch to develop yourself in and prepare for higher responsibility in very diverse and evolving problem sets.
I built a reading list, and a school schedule by rank, similar to the published ones, but informed by experience. Difficult concepts such as interagency cooperation and social dynamics during crisis were for more senior Soldiers. Junior Soldiers got exposed to city planning, societal norms and behaviors, language training, and measures of effectiveness.
I think my highest calling is to give my Soldiers the tools they need to succeed in challenging conditions. I can't really "train" them in the traditional sense for assymetric mission sets. If they acquire the means to develop the situation, apply their talents to the problem, and resource properly, I have done them a great service.
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1SG (Join to see)
1SG Jason Smith - I can't say for sure if it did directly. Empirically, three of the five First Sergeants in my battalion are my former Soldiers.
I am certain the board looked favorably upon the institutional training that I had them do.
I like to think that the development program I had supplied them with the tools to best diagnose and solve human terrain problems, assuring mission success. This led to better and substantive evaluations and accolades, which led to promotion.
This is all good, but accomplishing the mission and imbuing my Soldiers with the qualities to be better leaders, better people... that is what it is all about for me.
I am certain the board looked favorably upon the institutional training that I had them do.
I like to think that the development program I had supplied them with the tools to best diagnose and solve human terrain problems, assuring mission success. This led to better and substantive evaluations and accolades, which led to promotion.
This is all good, but accomplishing the mission and imbuing my Soldiers with the qualities to be better leaders, better people... that is what it is all about for me.
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1SG Sharalyn Saliger
No, it is a guide to use. I taught to look at all options, Soldiers need guidance and leadership which helps develop into opportunities to set them apart from others. Not everyone will be afforded the same jobs, schooling or leadership.
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I followed it as best I could, "checked all of the boxes" so to speak, but in the end for the MSG board, I can only surmise that my time in service and age led me to not being selected. I retired 30 September 2013 at 26 years, and looking at the board results and statistics from the last 3 boards I was eligible for selection, I met every area that was listed, photo was always up to date and my ERB was always squared away. I just apparently had the misfortune to be eligible at a time when the Army was making a move towards younger leaders, I wasn't ready to go but, the choice ultimately wasn't mine lol!
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1SG Jason Smith
I understand where you are coming from. I retired in Jan 13. I knew with the new process for SGM/CSM selection that I was not going to spend at least 5 more years at a minimum in the Army. I was already at 24 years and had followed my branch path as close as I possibly could.
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SFC William Swartz Jr
I was fortunate and satisfied in knowing that at least a couple of my former Soldiers/NCOs from my time as their PSG have gone on to exceed me in their careers, and I take comfort in knowing that I had at least a small part in that occurring and that my middle son, a tanker as well, will have quality Sr NCOs leading him and the Army of the future.
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