Advice for a first-timer to the promotion board?

Practice with a mock board. Half of your board score is presence, bearing and appearance. Everyone focuses 90% their time on memorizing creeds, history, and regulations but fail to realize the board has decided your fate within the first few minutes of walking in based on your confidence, voice, appearance and bearing.

All good units have a study guide. While not all encompassing it generally lists the topics that are important to the Army and the units leadership. Studying these areas and understanding all of the issues related to leading Soldiers at Squad level is key. It is also adviseable to speak with a recently boarded peer and ask what to expect. Ensure that peer is someone who you would gladly follow. Thank you for your service and remember to breath.

Board MOI, practice the NCO Creed daily, BE CONFIDENT, ask your supervisors to set up a mock board. Be sure to stay current on recent events in your AOR and make sure you tell your sponsor everything they need to know to properly brief the board on why you deserve to get your rocker.