What do you think about promotions to Sergeant (E-5) without going to a board?

It doesn't really matter to me either way. I went to all the boards. The boards didn't show what kind of leader I was, just that I could answer questions under a bit of pressure. Which is a big part of leadership. I always felt if you are recommended to the 5 or 6 Board then you should get picked up.

I disagree about being picked up if you don't turn it before you or e v and a corporal then you should not be promoted just my opinion

I made it up through the ranks to E-5 (SGT) on time in service, then SSG on up was by Army board. The main reason should be promoted is that they know their job, and it is up to the NCO's above them to train them. Their are mandatory schools you have to attend as you go up the ranks, but even with book learning you still have to know the reasons and powers you have behind the rank you wear. I rose to SSG through the ranks and a board, then had to submit my military record to the Army Board in D.C. for promotion, and was in competition Army wide with all SSG's eligible for promotion, and had a exemplary record but was never promoted, and always thought it was because I never had the right schools or assignments, which may or may not be true, but had I changed my MOS back to my old one, Transportation, then I would have probably been promoted right away. The MP Corps is small, and promotions are scares sometimes, but I loved my job. But getting back to promotions, working your way through the ranks is okay for E-1 through E-4, if you pay attention and learn your jobs, but once you get into the NCO ranks, I believe there should be a more precise way to choose the soldiers capable to lead, and train other soldiers to take their places. I had some great NCO's above me leading and showing me how to lead and mentor younger soldiers to take my place when I moved on, and that should be the credo of the Service, to make sure the men and women leading our troops are the best they can be and the most technically capable soldiers we can put in the field. America deserves the best representation we can give her, and our soldiers represent the best we have, so make them the best we can. The future is only as good as the people we put in uniform to serve us, and if we falter at developing them into the best then shame on us. Schools enlighten us, and knowledge makes us better, but the real test is how well we are taught to be soldiers by the men and women that came before us, and if we falter then we haven't done our jobs right, or trained our people to be the best that they can be. Keep the services strong and make it tough and honorable to be a soldier, but make it fair, and make them proud and true Americans fighting for our way of life the best they can with the right tools and knowledge we have given them without any reservations, and we will reap the rewards of having the greatest country on Earth, and the greatest soldiers ever trained.....

"You need to learn to follow before you can learn to lead!"

I could not tell you how often I said this during my time in the service. No one wants to hear it. You're preaching to the choir, i was told.

How are you going to down vote someone and not leave a comment Sgt Johnson?

No problem with what you are saying. I don't believe a board is necessary for Sgt and below unless it's a meritorious promotion board. I was post Vietnam USMC and by the time I pinned on Sgt I was ready. I got very good training from all the combat veterans in our unit not only that most of them weren't interested in getting promoted anyway. I've been living off of that training for decades.