Do you or did you follow your branch career map to help you develop yourself for promotion

1SG Jason Smith — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:19:10 -0400

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 10:28 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:28:25 -0400

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.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 12 at 2015 10:28 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:28:35 -0400

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!

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Jun 12 at 2015 10:35 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:35:40 -0400

I did not get a chance to. I was seriously injured and was forced to leave because of the limitations on my ability to function.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 12 at 2015 10:51 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 10:51:17 -0400

No. Just did my job as professionally as possible and let the chips fall?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 12 at 2015 12:16 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:16:25 -0400

No, not really. However, the things I wanted to accomplish, at the times at which I wanted to accomplish them, did somewhat align with my career map. The map was a general guide, more so than a strict plan to follow.

Response by SFC Paul Schwindeller made Jun 12 at 2015 12:36 PM

SFC Paul Schwindeller — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:36:21 -0400

Was not aware of a career Map until latter in my career

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 2:24 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 14:24:40 -0400

As a "fenced" NCO the career map isn't something I can go by. I think the idea of a career map is spot-on, but what counts for one as the PDM these days needs to be revised. For all CMFs it should give the soldier guidance on ATRSS Schools to pursue as well as professional development schools outside the military school system. From what I can tell, the PDMs are very similar across CMFs. PVT-SGT do your 10 and 20 time, go to Airborne, Air Assault and maybe an ASI related to your MOS. Then for SSG it's Recruiter, Drill Sergeant, EO, etc. Once you hit the 40/50 level it's essentially MOS independent. A good career map would be valuable to soldiers across the Army.

Response by SGT Edward Perez made Jun 12 at 2015 4:25 PM

SGT Edward Perez — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 16:25:58 -0400

Did they have a branch career map in the 90's?

Response by SGT(P) Kenneth Jones made Jun 12 at 2015 4:42 PM

SGT(P) Kenneth Jones — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 16:42:44 -0400

I followed the best I could but being at NTC and now Stewart my job requirements are more demanding and have little time. But I have surpassed the ssd portion of the career map. I have all done but ssd5. So I say hooah and say stay focused on the map future soldiers follow it and get help from where ever you can find it.

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made Jun 12 at 2015 4:48 PM

SSG Stephen Arnold — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 16:48:25 -0400

I didn't even know such a thing existed when I was on active duty.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 7:51 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 19:51:04 -0400

I used the career map as a guideline for advancing and honing my technical proficiency but I unfortunately had little control over where I was slotted. I spent almost three years outside my MOS and finally transitioned back in. During my time working in other areas I tried to focus on education related to my MOS to stay competitive.

I use the career map to counsel my Sergeants but tell them it's not the perfect model and to seek relevant training and education to remain competitive at each rank.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 13 at 2015 5:54 AM

PO3 David Fries — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 05:54:43 -0400

I'm guessing that this is an Army thing? I don't remember seeing one in the Navy. Then again, I didn't pay too much attention to career councillors, much to my own chagrin.

Response by SSG Christopher Freeman made Jun 13 at 2015 8:23 AM

SSG Christopher Freeman — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 08:23:30 -0400

Only to know what assignments I need to gun for ie as a staff Sgt I'm gunning for e7 slots

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2015 11:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 11:19:02 -0400

I use it as a guideline to make sure that I'm going the right track. I encourage young Soldiers to use it too. Not only for promotion purposes but at least to motivate them about the other positions they can do, schooling, and other professional development which can eventually lead to advancement.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 3:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:01:26 -0400

definitely not. And I think that is the reason I did get promoted this far. My evaluations looked A lot different than that of others in my MOS.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 12:16 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:16:14 -0400

Yes....it surprised me that many officers didn't know that HRC put out a DA PAM to help them try to find the correct jobs and schools to move forward. I showed the DA PAM to my guys, and explained to them the need to have a plan (that probably won't match reality) to guide you as you try for schools and assignments. (DA PAM 600-3)

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Jul 5 at 2015 7:57 PM

SGM Jeff Bullard — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 19:57:04 -0400

I've always followed the branch positions and time recommendations. From team leader to drill sergeant squad/section leader , master gunner, platoon sgt, OC/T , p regt master gunner, line 1SG, Rest 1SG, OPS NCO and it's worked out for me. You've got to take the tough assignment to separate yourself from your peers, if not you'll be like everyone else, non-select.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 1:39 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:39:30 -0500

Nope. I wasn't even aware that there was one until I went up for O4. I just always made sure I went to NCOES/OES for the next rank as soon as possible.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2016 4:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 16:53:58 -0500

Yes, and I counsel my subordinates to do the same. For Army Officers, DA PAM 600-3 gives a general guideline on how to progress in each basic branch / functional area.

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Holsather made Jan 4 at 2017 9:15 PM

1SG Jeffrey Holsather — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 21:15:59 -0500

Yes I did. After some superior mentorship as a young NCO, I used my branch career map and resources to advance my career in anyway I could. However, it takes years to understand the inner workings of how a branch career map works. What I mean by that, is anyone can look or read one's career map on paper, but to fully inderstand it, you need a senior NCO to sit you down and explain it. There are more than boxes and arrows on a page pointing in a direction for promotion. There is alot of information, human resources and resources between the boxes and arrows. For example; Every NCO has a branch career manager. That manager or managers are there to help and direct your career. Regardless of personal opinions of career manangers, their sole job is to manage your career for the best needs of the army. My branch career manger was on my speed dial. I would call on a constant basis for information on upcoming assignments, promotion boards, schools etc.. of course we all know, we have to fit and serve to the best needs of the army. However, you have to call your manager to get your input and if there are options for assignments, schools etc.. If you stay on top of your career and have a working relationship with your managers, you can about 75% of the time get what you want. There are alot of moving pieces in order to get what you want. One example is to make sure all your personal information is updated in all army systems. Because, when it comes down to it, that's where your managers look before they assign you you to your next duty location. I always ensured that my assignment preferences were updated. I know I have to go where the army needs me, but if there are options, than my manager can look at my preferences and assign me based on what I asked for. Through my 24 year career and because I stayed on top of my career and resources, i was able to get assigned 6 of 8 times where i wanted. I could go on and on about the career map. In the end and to my conclusion, yes, the branch career map is one of the most if not the most important tool or resource that a soldier has to map and shape thier career.