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Although a great concept. It is still a very new program. Here is my issue. We are sending many Soldiers who do not plan on staying in the Army to the promotion board and pinning them the next month in many cases. I'm in Intel and our cutoff points are usually very low for E5. My entire squad minus one soldier has expressed their dislike with the Army however, still got promoted. They get the mission done but dont have the best of attitudes and wine too much. Shouldn't the Army save the money and not send soldiers to the board who are adement about leaving the service? All of my newest Sergeants have less than a year left. I love them to death and have tried to encourage them on staying on many occasions. Thoughts.
Promotion Board
Promotion Points
Retention
Re-enlistment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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If they're truly adamant about getting out, nobody is forcing promotion. They always have the option to decline board attendance and accept a bar to continued service....
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MSG (Join to see)
I agree that the NCO Corps would benefit from its junior members bringing a certain level of dedication, but it's up to supervisors to instil that level of trust and loyalty in our subordinates. By the time we make Sergeant, many of us have already made that commitment to the Army. However, we have generally failed in one aspect over the past decade or so, which is a large part of the reason 'Big Army' has decided to take our recommendation power away through Command List Integration and now Mandatory List Integration. In our distraction with mission accomplishment, we have neglected the development of our subordinates and failed to generate new leaders willing to step up to the plate. As a Junior NCO, I had several subordinates whom i determined were capable of becoming NCOs, but most wanted nothing to do with continued service. Sometimes all they needed was that extra 'mandatory' push to move up or move out. In times lacking unity and juniors' aspiration, we have to inspire our subordinates to advance and fill that much-needed role. No matter how well they perform as Soldiers, we still need future leaders to assist and replace us. Sometimes that last year or two as an NCO is enough to inspire juniors and motivate them to reenlist for the position. If not, we "thank you for your service" and keep rolling forward.
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MSG (Join to see)
To summarize an otherwise lengthy explanation, it comes down to inspiration lacking from the top. I understand the struggle, but until we can motivate Soldiers to step up and promote willingly, we have few options but to mandate they fill those positions...
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Proper counseling and mentorship. A soldier is selected and recommended by someone else to attend the board, I never seen an E4 just walk into the board without recommendations and a packet. If you think a Soldier does not deserve to be recommended for promotion, do your due diligence and counsel the soldier in order to prevent them to attend. But remember, your leadership and ability to coach and mentor will determine how many soldiers stay in, or get out.
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SFC (Join to see)
They are good soldiers. They just want out. Unit makes them go to the board. We do the promotion packets and everything. I dont think anybody is understanding what I mean by my post.
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MSG (Join to see)
I guess I never served in a unit where the unit "made" people go to the board. In my three years as a squad leader and two years as a platoon sergeant the soldier was ready and recommended. But you said it, they are getting out regardless. As a future 1ST sergeant, I will like for my section, squad, or platoon sergeants to tell me such things. In my opinion you are correct, why are we promoting soldiers who are clearly not dedicated to the Army? I know if a soldier has 6 months left they can attend NCOES, but we should prioritize the comited ones, who have the potential.
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SFC (Join to see)
Yes, thank you. At least make the ones that have less than a year left reenlist, or no board.
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Suspended Profile
I worked at the Navy Advancement Center for 9 years of my career. I know the Army has a different advancement system, but for all services it comes down to the same thing. Is the person eligible? Just because they want to exit the service when their contract is up doesn't mean they shouldn't get advanced, especially if they are very good at their job and have mastered many of the new skills required for the next higher paygrade. You shouldn't penalize a person just becausef they don't want to stay in the military. And you never know, that person may have a change of heart and re-enlist.
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