If you do not work in a related MOS, does a certification like EMT, CDL, or SHERM, assist you when going into the SFC Evaluation Board?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:49:19 -0400

If you have earned a Certification like EMT, CDL, or SHERM, and you do not work in an MOS related to the Certification, will they assist you when going into the SFC Evaluation Board? If so, what's the process on getting them on the STP? I'm being told that if certification don't relate to my primary or secondary MOS I cannot add them to the STP and they won't be evaluated at the board. Am I overthinking this? Or can you provide guidance on how to add them to my STP?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 30 at 2023 5:42 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 05:42:55 -0400

From one who sat on several promotion boards, when these were in the soldier's file and not related, to me it showed the soldier was always trying to improve him/herself. I always gave a little extra for such skills learned. Skills which can help a soldier in times of need are of value, but I am speaking from being retired in 2006, so I don't know the current regs.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 30 at 2023 7:16 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 07:16:27 -0400

As you were informed you cannot get certificates of training into your file that do not relate in sone way to your duties. Your local Personnel center can inform you of precisely can and cannot be submitted. An example of one that may count is the EMT, it is tied to advanced training for Combat Life Saver, SHERM completely civilian and does not corollate to the military, the Cdl has no value because the Army has its own certification.

I can say without seeing your records that being a recruiter and receiving great NCOERs should bridge that gap for you.

Many I know have tried to send letters to the board attempting to get unrecognized certificates added to there board packet, they will simply be discarded by the administrative support for the board. A letter must directly address items that do not make it by the deadline.

Don’t overthink it as you say. Stand on your record.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jun 30 at 2023 12:57 PM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:57:59 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, you can have civilian certifications (regardless if they apply to your MOS or current job duties) added to your personnel records, as the list of authorized documents for the AMHRR includes civilian licenses or professional certifications*. Not all certifications can up uploaded - they have to be listed in the Army Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) database* (spoiler: EMT, DCL and SHRM are approved).

If you have a "COOL Approved certification", you can upload it by doing a PAR through IPPS-A for a civilian acquired skill and attaching your certificate. If someone in your S1 is giving you pushback about approving them being added, point them to the AMHR Required Documents (which is actually the 'authorized' documents that can go into the AMHR) and DA PAM 600-25 Para 2-16g(2)*.

To your question about the board seeing the documents and if they will help you, I can only comment about the first one. The certifications will be in your Education and Performance folders, both of which DA Boards have access to (so they can see them). Will it matter, especially for certifications not related to your MOS or current job requirements? No idea. I'll defer SGM Mikel Dawson's or CSM Darieus ZaGara's comments concerning this.
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* AMHRR Required Documents - https://iperms.hrc.army.mil/svc/public-download/ASRBDocuments.pdf
* Army COOL Credential Search - https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/credsearch/index.html
* DA PAM 600-25 - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN13774_DAPam600-25_FINAL.pdf

ASRBDocuments.pdf

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Jun 30 at 2023 3:52 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:52:02 -0400

As COL Randall C. pointed out, certain licenses and certifications are specifically authorized and it does NOT matter if they directly apply to your MOS. Anything that isn't in the list cannot be put in your record (at least not directly).

One trick for getting other certifications, or any other sort of accomplishment, into your record is to find someone above you in the chain of command to write a commendation for your accomplishment. Your certification as a basket weaver cannot go in your record, but your commander's letter of commendation for getting the certification can go in your record.

How much impact any of these might have is going to depend on the individual board members.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Jun 30 at 2023 8:06 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:06:46 -0400

As I always understood it, any additional education; especially MOS related was helpful. I know in my case, various courses with county, state and D.C. police, and a residence course at the FBI Academy helped me; as did college courses in criminology, etc. I was up for E7 when I ETS'd because of a disabled daughter at the end of my last enlistment.