NCO of the month boards; where's the senior NCO's?

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:11:54 -0500

Out of everywhere I've been I've never seen anyone over the rank of SSG attempt an NCO of the month board. Rarely do you see a SSG. But we will FORCE our Jr's to go to these boards. Are we not leading by example or are we afraid we will be whooped by our subordinates?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 12 at 2014 12:07 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:07:26 -0500

I think the intended audience for boards is different.

As you gain in rank, you see a corresponding increase in responsibility. Once you've made SSG or above, you set yourself apart through superior work performance, taking care of your people, and managing the countless administrative minutae of your organization. You do Additional duties, you go instructor/recruiter/Drill Sergeant. You stay current on your NCOES, seek additional training opportunities, certifications, etc..

The way you set yourself apart as a young Soldier and the way you do it as you climb the ladder changes.

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 12 at 2014 12:17 PM

SFC James Baber — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:17:02 -0500

I think it may just depend on where you are at, I actually went a few times as an SSG, once even while deployed, the CSM wanted us to do something to break up the tension of the deployment so he held a board for Soldier and NCO halfway through our then current rotation, it was 3 E6s and 2 E7s, no E5s at all.

I have seen two others I was a sponsor on that had an E7 or 2, as you say it is rare for E6 or above but it does happen, just a timing thing for you and them I would assume.

I went to a NCO board as a two month brand new E5 that had 4 E9s and 2 E8s as the board members, it was a BDE level, I was scared sh@#less when I 1st walked in the door, BDE CSM told me to relax and just be myself, I finished 3rd out of 7 so felt better about that afterwards.

It is just the nature of the beast sometimes, you never know who, what or how many people will be in attendance, I actually was a sponsor for a Soldier one time that had 3 of the 5 candidates drop out that morning because of mission requirements, so it was my SPC and another SPC for the board.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Feb 12 at 2014 4:53 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:53:39 -0500

I had a 1SG, back when I was a CPL, who ran a DA6 for NCO of the Month Boards. I remember SFCs going to the Boards back in that unit. Granted that was a long time ago, and that was the only 1SG who I ever saw run things that way, but it shows that it can be done.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2014 4:58 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:58:50 -0500

I would go, but I feel like the attitude is that a SFC will whip the SSG and below and not give them a chance to compete. I already was BDE Soldier of the Quarter (runner up at Corps) and I was the Division (Task Force) NCO of the Quarter and Year as a SSG. I've already proven I can do that, why would I take over the chance of a SGT to do it and potentially advance his or her career? Certainly competing and winning NCO of the Month isn't going to advance MY career. Not to mention, SFC and above usually have a lot more things to do than say a junior SGT.

That's my take on it. I coached a SSG through Division NCO of the Year competition and she placed second. The first place guy was a SFC and everyone was making comments about how "oh wow, a SFC, that's not even fair etc etc".

Response by 1SG Shane Hansen made Feb 14 at 2014 11:27 AM

1SG Shane Hansen — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:27:17 -0500

I tried to get the CSM to let me go to the NCO of the month board, he refused. NCO of the month boards should be voluntary. They give the NCO the opportunity to set themselves apart by going to them. Generally speaking though, if one of my PLT SGT's volunteered to go, I would think they are not doing their job properly if they have time to do that sort of thing. They need to be out there mentoring, teaching, and leading the juniors. The focus is on what their Platoon does and achieves, not what they do as individuals.