My unit is stunting my career progression. How do I get around this?

2018-02-28T02:08:39-05:00

So August of '17 I got my promotable status, a little bit after hitting my 2 year mark. I've been making cut off with 520 points for the last 8 months. However the unit has been refusing to push me through to BLC. At first the reason was because we were nearing a rotation in europe, then when arriving in europe they said my position on the OML was moved. I kept bugging them and it turns out that really they just didn't have my information updated properly, that I was eligible to go to BLC. So now I am on top of the Brigades OML, and as we near the end of the rotation they are refusing to send me to BLC because I can't miss training/field exercises. So I'm currently "scheduled" to go this upcoming August, a year after being eligible for making my sergeant.

Is there anything I can do to get around this catastrophe and expedite my career? Can they deny me from BLC just so I can go to the field?

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Feb 28 at 2018 2:54 AM

2018-02-28T02:54:59-05:00

Here's a phrase that will help you through this and the next crisis SGT Private RallyPoint Member Always On Top. When your success hinges on another person, that is your cue to find a respectful schedule to check in on the progress of events to make sure things occur on time. Good luck to you.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Feb 28 at 2018 3:34 AM

2018-02-28T03:34:30-05:00

It's silly to think that your unit values Field time over BLC. I'd guess that either they're really that dense, or they don't like you and don't want you as an NCO. I'm sure you've got an idea of which one of those is true, and neither are going to help you much unless you can find a way out of there.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Feb 28 at 2018 7:08 AM

2018-02-28T07:08:20-05:00

SPC Kent,
BLC? Did the Army got away from WLC? To be honest, I would not worry too much about it because most units go by order of merit, and it is a course that is pretty much offered in a good number of installations. Now, when you get to ALC and SLC, that's when it gets more serious. Your unit has to let you go with plenty of time to get ready to attend. I had to leave a deployment early to attend ALC, back when it still called BNCOC. I'm not implying to forget about it, because eventually you will have to attend to get to the next step in your career. I was fortunate to be assigned to units that as soon you were to the board and became promotable, you were slotted to go immediately.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Feb 28 at 2018 11:16 AM

2018-02-28T11:16:58-05:00

Have they been giving you counselings in order to inform you of each of these changes in the situation? If you really want to make a headache then you can utilize your unit open door policy and inform your higher NCO support chain that this is occurring. The thing is that if they really cannot spare you at the moment for training that they are fully able to keep you through a training rotation. What I would do is wait until your training is over and remind your leadership. If this issue persists, then I would take it up your support chain. You haven't even reached your three year mark so you aren't really being held back. Only high speed PT studs and geniuses are promoted at two years bud. Unless you are a super start I wouldn't consider you being held back.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Feb 28 at 2018 11:50 AM

2018-02-28T11:50:29-05:00

Can't give you current advice here because I have been out so long but one thing I noticed about NCO rank progression is it can be FAST to E5, then SLOW to E6 or vice versa. So I would keep pushing and asking like your doing but would not worry too much about it. Also, if your unit knows your at risk to ETS......thats bad, they will, if they can get away with it, use that promotion as a carrot. When I was in it wasn't until you were approaching three years TIS that they started to line you up with E5 training and the board, etc. I realize in wartime they have waivers but if they waivered you for a lesser grade already, they might have run out there.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Feb 28 at 2018 4:05 PM

2018-02-28T16:05:06-05:00

Its the military, crap happens, I had the highest test scores during my days in my unit, but the had to give the slot to a minority. Not bitching about that, its just the way it was. Just suck it up and keep doing your job well would be my advice now, when I was younger, did not always have such a level head and did a lot of things I regret now in actions and words.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Feb 28 at 2018 4:18 PM

2018-02-28T16:18:59-05:00

Sad to read that a unit/leadership is failing a young Soldier just as they did my son at Ft. Benning back in 2016. Sadly my son who had been actually thinking of making it a career before this, said the hell with it and ETS'd back in December. As far as you being able to do anything to get around the crapfest you're dealing with, until your unit and S-1 pull their collective heads out of rectal defilade, you can only keep after them as it is your career. I wish you the best and hope that this gets rectified quick, fast and in a hurry!

Response by Cpl Tom Surdi made Feb 28 at 2018 4:27 PM

2018-02-28T16:27:35-05:00

In the Marine Corps we have an option to Request Mast. Meaning we can take any grievance to our immediate superior officer who is required to listen to our grievance in person and to convey their decision in person. If a Marine doesn't like what they hear than can go higher, I have seen a Request Mast go all the way up to the Base General. I don't know if the Army has something equivalent to that, but if you do, you might want to research it and give it a try.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Feb 28 at 2018 4:35 PM

2018-02-28T16:35:35-05:00

Fuck it. I'll be the bad guy.

Not everyone is destined to be an NCO at the minimum specific time frames. TIG & TIS are general guidelines. If this is the case, then your CoC should have counseled you. I've seen this before and the NCO's just don't know how to tell someone that they just aren't ready yet.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 5:31 PM

2018-02-28T17:31:00-05:00

I hate to tell you this, but you really don't have a grievance until not going to BLC makes your career progression slower than any other soldier. I understand. Everything's been going quick and you don't want to lose your momentum, but just take this time to make sure that when you do go (which you will, one way or another) you are the top of your class. There's plenty of info out there about what they do in BLC. Start doing it on your own. Brush up on D&C. Put together classes. Master land nav. Make sure that when you get promoted you deserve it. Make them look like fools for holding you up.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 6:26 PM

2018-02-28T18:26:26-05:00

SPC Kent,
A couple of things stand out here, in my opinion. Which is what most of the reply's you are getting here are. First of all, congratulations on your recommendation for promotion to Sergeant. It is a large step forward and has a whole new level of responsibility added. That being said, the question at hand! There are questions that I would be asking in your case. Regardless of whether or not you are "ready" to be an NCO, you have already been selected. This is why we have promotion boards. APFT, ABCP, Profile, and Points are all things that should be considered in the OML in my opinion. Are you close to failing or even failing any of these things. While the answer should be no, it is a distinct possibility. If none of these are factors then there is no reason not to send you, pending counseling you may or may have not received. The field is NOT a credible reason to hold you back from attending BLC. There is always two sides of the story and I would be curious to know the other one.

With that in mind you should start with your lowest level supervisor and address the issue at the level needed to. As a Company 1SG, I expect my Soldiers to understand what is happening with their careers, if leaders are not providing the mentorship and guidance needed this is a problem. This is when you elevate to the next level in your change of command/concern, until you have the problem solved or at least understood. Understanding your chain of command and how to address problems is going to be key as you move forward in your career. This does not mean that you walk into the 1SG/CSM's office, ensure that you inform your chain of your intent and set up a time that works for whatever level you are addressing. I hope this helps, at least a little bit.

DNW!

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Feb 28 at 2018 8:48 PM

2018-02-28T20:48:55-05:00

Soooo .... based on what you're saying is your field grade commander will not write letter granting a waiver of BLC?

Response by PO3 Theresa Dixon made Mar 1 at 2018 6:27 AM

2018-03-01T06:27:39-05:00

Change your mos

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-03-01T17:07:24-05:00

There’s many factors that go into sending someone to BLC and it doesn’t always happen in a specific time frame. I was a CPL for a while before going to BLC and pinning SGT but it happened. Be persistent if you want it. No one will give it to you or push you in your career but yourself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2018 12:44 AM

2018-03-02T00:44:11-05:00

First off congratulations on attaining your promotable status. They should counsel you on why they feel you cannot attend. There are also other things to consider like slots available. I know a lot of my battles experienced similar instances where they couldn't get pinned to SFC until they went to SLC, however SLC was backlogged and they had to wait, hence making them wait longer to pin the rank. Things like the field or going to an exercise aren't valid reasons, as if you do go on a exercise you can always join your unit after your school, as your going to school benefits the organization by making you a more valuable asset to them with your new knowledge and leadership capabilities. Another thing to think on is all of your regular Army requirements, however if you made the cut off and got your (P) then obviously you are not a borderline Soldier and your unit felt you were ready to advance. BLUF just make sure that they are counseling you on the reasons. I would try to talk to your COC again and if this doesn't get rectified, then request to use the open door policy, sometimes this motivates some leadership who aren't taking care of their troops to get in gear. Good luck

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 4 at 2018 10:57 PM

2018-03-04T22:57:03-05:00

One secret of success is to hang in there. See if you can get transferred to another unit. If necessary, talk to your Battalion CSM and see if he can help. Eventually, someone will ask why you have been a Specialist so long and you can tell them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 7:19 PM

2018-03-05T19:19:47-05:00

You know, I just read this whole thread, I didn’t click on the comments under other comments as I am in between job sites.

But everyone’s lack of information for this soldier is disappointing. We need to do better as NCO’s. “Those that are out. I get you don’t know the system, as it continuously changes. But not a single person could direct this soldier to the regulation?!? I am blunt and direct but I get things done for all of my Soldiers and any soldier that asks for help. “Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind, accomplishment of my mission, and the welfare of my Soldiers” This is Soldier care 101 right here.

SPC,

You need to go to ArmyPublishing directorste. Go to the tab for regulations.

For your whole career as a future NCO, REGULATIONS REGULATIONS REGULATIONS. The regulations will help you overcome any obstacle in your career. ( as long as you are doing the right darn thing)

You need to pull up AR 600-8-19 Enlisted Promotion System. It outlines all the policies and procedures for boards and selections Do not google, you may not have or find the most current date for the regulation. It has been changing/ updated 2-3 times per year last few years. you say you are promotibable. Well the current policy of you are promotable is that SPC who HAVE BEEN SELECTED, are immediately laterally promoted to Corporal.

The current promotion policy is STEP

Select the Soldier ( put in the paragraph and line number on the units UMR)
Once Selected, you are Trained at the unit level ( you should be in an E-5 slot, performing E-5 duties)
Once selected it is the COMMANDS RESPONSIBILITY TO IMMEDIATELY ENROLL THE SOLDIER IN AN NCOES SCHOOL. I say again, COMMANDS RESPONSIBILITY TO IMMEDIATELY ENROLL THE SOLDIER.

Soldier is the. EDUCATED ( E in step) at NCOES school). Upon completion of BLC and graduating with your DA 1059 the soldier will then be ( P in STEP) Promoted.

Now you must realize it does not mean within 30 days you have a school date.
It could be 12 or 18 months out. But you should have an ATRRS reservation. I know for SGT - SSG, we have around 24 months to attend school ( I think they may have modified it to 30 mos) before a waiver from our First General Officer is required to go past those dates. Without the waver and crossing over that timing threshold, you will lose you E-5 paragraph line number.

Now after reading these regulation, and printing off and highlighting the pertinent sections to you as active duty. Question your first line leader. If he or she fails to give you a response you ask to speak to your SL or PSG depending on your COC set up in your unit. Concurrently
You need to fill out a DA 4187, Personnel Action Request form. Fill it out and turn it into your S-1. Request NCOES school - BLC. If you have someone who can do you a pony, butte ruo to your S-1 or readiness NCO prior and find school dates and school codes that have open seats. List those pertinent items on your 4187. MAKE COPIES OF THE 4187, turn it in, and wait! Then in nothing happens, utilize the NCO Support Channel ( which you have already started to with your TL or SL, and PSG if necessary. If no timely action politely request to speak to your 1SG. USE THE REGULATIONS. Ask questions. Also ask if you Company/ BN or BDE has any formal Policys about NCOES school enrollments. Never be a dick. It will carry you far.

Now if you really want to respectfully give a FU, if you truly are being shafted... go to BLC and Graduate Distinguished Honor Graduate. Now whichever leader was giving you the big green.. SHOULD be writing you up for a AAM for graduating Distinguished Honor Graduate.

You want to be a NCO , the above steps are how you show them you are more than ready to be a NCO

SGT (P) Howel
88M Distinguished Honor Graduate
WLC Distinguished Honor Graduate.
OEF 13-14

You can always PM me if you need any more guidance.

And who said truck drivers were dumb ;)