Posted on Dec 2, 2015
SSG David Dickson
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It seems so many Soldiers are content to serve out their time in the Army as jr. Enlisted members. For those of you on both sides of this issue what is your motivation? What made you decide to submit to the promotion process or avoid it all together? Thanks in advance for sharing your unique experience.
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Responses: 29
SGT Supply Sergeant (S4)
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When I think of getting pinned, I say to myself: " Pleeeaasssee, don't be as ate up as some of those NCOs around here!!!!"
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
MSG (Join to see)
9 y
SGT (Join to see) Just do your best when you get pinned. You will stumble, but as long as you correct yourself and adjust fire then you should be good to go.
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SGT Supply Sergeant (S4)
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
Rgr that. It's always a learning experience!!
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SGT Supply Sergeant (S4)
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
Sfc Mason. I believe that so many newly mint NCO are not ready to lead. They're too caught up into fast tracking that they don't fully understand the work that comes with putting on stripes!
In all seriousness, I know that when I make it as an NCO, it will be because I'm ready to lead and take care of soldiers; not because I want to make it through the rank faster than anybody else
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SPC(P) Mark Newman
SPC(P) Mark Newman
9 y
Yes! In some ways, Bamba, I see E-5s who act like they've been knighted by Her Majesty the Queen. Now that I think about it, kind of reminds me of 2Lt . So yeah, Specialist, you become a good NCO. Not walked all over but not a prick, either. You got this.
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SGT Dental Specialist
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From what I've experienced so far, it takes a whole lot of self motivation and dedication to achieve the nco stripes. There's way more than that though. You have to receive the right mentor-ship. You have to create your purpose, self motivation, and of course provide direction for a path of success.

I've always dreamed of earning my stripes. I will reach for my dream. E-4 and below ranks are a given. TIG and TIS is all you need. I seen bad, good, great, and outstanding NCOs. I learned from them all. What leadership styles I want to incorporate in my life, how to sharpen and improve them, and of course, what characteristics I will not adopt in my journey to become a leader.

My older brother received his SGT in two years in the Marine Corps. Yes I thought at first that I can achieve that same goal in the same amount of time. It was attainable for me at that time, but then did a self check and I realized that I wasn't ready to become an NCO! I felt that I was still lacking the knowledge to lead and guide fellow peers/soldiers. SPC for over 3 years now, I have seen a whole lot more(experience) and I have earned/accomplished almost if not all what the army has thrown at me.

Being the Only soldier of my MOS in my brigade had its pros and cons. My vision of progressing in that position was to simply challenge myself! To keep striving and pushing for harder challenges. Attended quite a few SOM boards. Last board I went to for some reason my orderly room didn't submit my packet in time. Not knowing that, I appeared on that board date in ASU on time but got turned around. I then PCS-Ed.

On September I had 672 points-cutoff for my MOS was 683. On October cut off was at 652. On November cut off was at 642. Shooting score went down and caused me 30 points. Standing at 642.(still at cut-off). Cut-off for this month increased to 664.

I could've made cut off twice. Only obstacle that held me back was the promotion board. I did not have my "P" status.

Set to attend the board in the end of the month with my new unit. The change of the promotion system will affect me negatively but it will not stop me from pursuing my goal of becoming an NCO!

"Character Matters"
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SGT Dental Specialist
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
Your right towards that statement. I didn't mention afterwards when I said it that it's a given if you do not get in trouble in any way and did your MOS efficiently. So I agree. More often is correct. Thanks SGT!

By the way, I'm glad you actually do counsel your soldiers. Yes it's part of an NCOs job to do so but idk how copius amounts of others slip through not counseling soldiers at all. (Observant)

It could speed up promotions also by positive counselings.
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SGT Dental Specialist
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SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres
SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres
9 y
SGT (Join to see) - Did buddy, wish I was still in but life happens. I literally confronted past team leaders when I would get their Soldiers. Even SFCs, see our platoon medic was assigned to me but was supposed to be counseled by the PSG of another platoon. Well when I got put in charge, I made sure that PSG gave me the due counselings. Sure fire way to screw over a Soldier.... But Always use tact!
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1SG Ronald Rieck
1SG Ronald Rieck
9 y
I think a lot of young soldiers believe that with hard work will automatically come promotions. That's not totally true. If I could go back in time, I would have told my E-1 self that I needed to pursue promotion. No one else really cares about your career, you need to take care of it yourself. Go to school, seek out additional training opportunities, improve your APFT, ect....
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SGT Operating Room Specialist
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I am unwilling to stay at this level forever. In the words of an old Army promotional, I want to be "ALL that I can be". I want to pin on my stripes, and eventually bars.
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