I go to the board in a couple days. I know all the songs, the creeds, and I know where to reference everything. Any advice?

2016-03-27T15:27:51-04:00

E5 promotion board

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2016 3:33 PM

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Make sure your uniform is spot on, and be confident, the board knows that your leaders sent u for a reason. Also get your bio down remember u are telling them about u!

Response by SGT Thomas Heimel made Mar 27 at 2016 3:34 PM

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When you feel yourself tensing up remember to take a breath and relax.

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Mar 27 at 2016 3:34 PM

2016-03-27T15:34:51-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member ,
First off congratulations. It's great to see that you have been recognized for your efforts to the next level. The only sound advice I would offer is to be clear, concise, and remain in control while answering with confidence. Best of luck, and congratulations in advance!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2016 3:46 PM

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If you don't know the answer be honest about it, explain where you can find the answer. Don't try and bullsh*t an answer. Just be honest and confident. Now say the 10th MTN song!

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 27 at 2016 4:29 PM

2016-03-27T16:29:53-04:00

Get the most junior Soldiers you can find to perform a mock board for you. Tell them to get downright silly. If you can keep a straight face when Private big ears picks his nose while asking you to recite your general orders you will be OK.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2016 4:56 PM

2016-03-27T16:56:14-04:00

Have your 1SG check your ASUs, do not rush thru your responses...do not hold your breath, be confident on your answers. Good Luck!! I was at drum from 08 to 12

Response by SSG(P) James S. made Mar 27 at 2016 6:19 PM

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Just be clear and confident you will do fine if you stay sharp and verify your uniform with ERB.

Response by SGT Michael Thorin made Mar 27 at 2016 6:53 PM

2016-03-27T18:53:07-04:00

Eye contact throughout the room. When a question is asked, make eye contact with the individual to which you are answering, and if you move eye contact to the others, always ensure that the last person you make eye contact wit is the one who originally asked the question.

Always remember this phrase, it always helped me remain calm and relaxed while still projecting respect and confidence;

There are thousands of soldiers who came before you who were quite possibly markedly less proficient and prepared than you are who did great. There are also thousands of soldiers who have prepared 10 times more than you who will fail.

Never underestimate your abilities or sell yourself short, it will show at the boards.

Finally, and this goes along with not trying to BS your way through questions you do not know the answer to, practice this in a way you feel comfortable "Negative SGM _________, 1SG ________ or SGT _________, I do not have the answer to that question, but the Army has provided me with the resources in which to find it."

If they will accept no more than negative, then it should be a quick, and confident negative. There will be other SPC's who will be taking the boards who do not know the answers as well. Looking down or away from the examiners while trying to think about it can signify indecision to them, and in those cases the "negative" answer will help more than hurt.

Either you know the answer or not, so be respectful of their time and answer accordingly.

Sometimes leadership isn't found in how much you know, sometimes it's about how you deal with the things which you don't.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Mar 27 at 2016 7:59 PM

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SGT Private RallyPoint Member - 1. Have your uniform checked, and re-checked by different NCOs. 2. Be sure to watch the news the night before your board, and if possible, pick up a newspaper the morning of the board. Ensure that you are up on current events. 3. Recognize that although the personnel on the board outrank you, they are only human. They are to be respected and not feared. 4. Talk to someone who has been to the board lately. find out what surprises they had, and prepare for those, and any others that your NCOs can tell you about. 5. Be yourself. Be professional at all times, but don't get so flustered that you can't speak as though you are ready to be there. A good NCO has to be ready to communicate and give orders/instructions under the hardest of circumstances.

You'll do fine. I wish you the best of luck !!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2016 8:06 PM

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Breath relax remember the SM put on their pants on the same way you do and if you don't know a question just say "SM I do not know the answer at this time but will
Have the answer at a later time".

Response by SP5 Caleb B made Mar 27 at 2016 9:24 PM

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Don't sound like a librarian by stating ar's and such. Say the NCO creed with passion, do not go through the motions.

Sound confident, be clear and concise. Sit up straight look them directly in the eye. Don't be intimidated.

Some questions may or may not have a clear answer. You need to sale yourself by convincing them that you are a leader. Convince them by listing your strengths and if asked about weaknesses mention how you will address your weaknesses to better yourself.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2016 10:11 PM

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Try to remember that all the SNCOs that are sitting at the table in front of you......had been in the same spot you are about to be.

Response by SSG James Elmore made Mar 27 at 2016 10:22 PM

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Confidence.

Even if you know you are dead wrong be confident enough to make them think that they are wrong!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2016 11:19 PM

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Be confident in all of your answers and don't second guess yourself. They might try to trick you into thinking you have the wrong response and they're checking for your confidence. Just remember that the CSM and the 1SG's put their pants on the same way you do, one leg at a time. Good luck and congratulations!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2016 3:00 AM

2016-03-28T03:00:31-04:00

How did it go? I'm sure you found that it wasn't difficult simply because you were prepared.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2016 5:20 AM

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Biggest thing I tell everyone, is memorize your ARs and FMs. That should be the first thing you learn with getting ready for the board.

This way if they ask you a question you don't know the answer to, You can at least respond with, "I don't know the answer to that question, but I can look in AR ....... and get back to you."

They will be more impressed to hear that you know the AR than if you just say, "I don't know the answer at this time."

And relax when you go in there. Remember that the board members are there for you. They want you to succeed.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2016 9:13 AM

2016-03-28T09:13:05-04:00

Ya, turn it down.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Mar 28 at 2016 11:46 AM

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SGT Private RallyPoint Member - Brush up on current events. Also, we'll look forward to your updated status (rank change) when the board is completed. Congratulations!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2016 12:28 PM

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Have your bio down. It sets the tone for the whole board. Be confident, sell yourself. You know you better than anyone, tell them why you're deserving of stripes.

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Mar 29 at 2016 8:13 AM

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Be confident you know the material answer the questions in a clear voice good luck

Response by SGT Robert Andrews made Mar 29 at 2016 10:54 AM

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Local and current events ate important too esp since the military is part of the US foreign policy

Response by SGT David Hardee made Mar 29 at 2016 11:08 AM

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Walk into like you own that fucker. They expect u to know all the creeds n job shit. What seperates you frm others is ahowing leadership. Even if the answer to a Q is dead wrong, answer like it is the rightest answer in the World. They want guys that arent scar d ro nake a decision and stick with it. In my Infantry units, lot and hr CSMs want you to know unit history as well. Keeo long and short term goals answers commo. Sense, short to the point. When you look at the Board members, remember they are only thing bwtween u and hard strioes so show some balls and stare them down. Confidence
Hardee

Response by SGT Randle Thomas made Mar 29 at 2016 1:21 PM

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Be confident an relax don't second guess yourself

Response by SGT Casey Lovell made Mar 29 at 2016 8:23 PM

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The best thing I could have done for myself while I was in the service was to familiarize myself with everything and anything that could pertain to me in my own position... and when I presented that information to someone senior to me, I remembered the rules of how to address them and then plainly talked to them, human to human.

It's amazing how much more stability you'll find when being proper and following the standard is just something that you do... and you can take the weight and intimidation that comes with speaking to a higher rank. It's just fabric. Respect what it means and respect the effort, but don't fear that square.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 9:39 AM

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Just remember it's your Board from the moment you walk in your all ready being evaluated. Just conduct your self In a professional manner and never loose your bearing nail your creed make sure your Bio flows smoothly then just relax take a breath and if your really prepared you'll do just fine.

Response by SGT Chaz Wellington made Mar 30 at 2016 12:56 PM

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Focus on SMART Goals, Goal Setting and Teamwork.

Response by LCDR Jeffery Dixon made Mar 31 at 2016 3:36 PM

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Relax and enjoy the journey.

Response by LCpl Bradley Otto made Apr 13 at 2017 7:10 PM

2017-04-13T19:10:54-04:00

Simple advise, be as relaxed as you can. Stop and listen to each question and pause before you give your answer. Be thoughtful ,clear and conoise in your answers. Dont second guess or change answers once given. Be confident in them and you will do fine.