NCOES required for Promotion, but the system is not dependable. What can one do?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 08:32:44 -0400

Now the army is going to the SSD 1-4 to be required before promotion, on an unreliable system....

Some of my E4s are ready for promotion, but they have not completed SSD Lvl 1, this is not their doing, the system will not allow them to enroll into the class, and the training NCO and QSM doesn't understand why. They have attempted everything possible to get these soldiers into SSD 1, but it will not work. Therefore these soldiers did not make the promotion list because SSD 1 is not completed....

Myself and a few other E6s can not get into ALC, because common core is jacked up...

Many Soldiers have this issue, the system is too jacked up to make it a requirement.... It is delaying promotions.... why require something that doesn't always work... is that the Army's way of slowing down promotions?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 8:47 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 08:47:57 -0400

Have you tried calling the ALMS help desk? The wait time to on the phone is normally long but once you talk to them the results are generally great.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Aug 15 at 2014 9:06 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:06:31 -0400

As I understnd it, the enrollment window opens and closes pretty often. That said, best for you and your fellow NCOs to keep an eye on that and direct your subordinates accordingly. Also, DO NOT let them think Levsls 2-4 are a day at the beach. They suck time like you wouldn't believe.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 9:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:21:06 -0400

I was in a similar situation until recently, SFC Private RallyPoint Member. I completed ALC Resident Course in February of this year, graduating as Distinguished Honor Graduate. However, because I had not completed ALC-CC, I was not considered to be an ALC Graduate. Therefore, the 112 promotion points I earned through hard work could not be applied.

Once the system was switched over to SSD-2, HRC enrolled me, and I completed it prior to the cutoff for points update. Once the system showed me as a graduate, I had my points, and I made cutoff for SSG.

One thing you need to keep in mind for those young specialists is that SSD 1, 3 and 4 are not new. They have been around for quite a while; almost 3 years now, if I am not mistaken. And it wasn't until just recently (less than a year ago) that the ability to self enroll in these classes was taken from Soldiers. If they do not have it already done, they were being complacent. I am a firm believer that individual responsibility needs to be more predominant in the military. While yes, the NCO of that young Soldier should have ensured that the importance of SSD 1 was outlined to those Soldiers, that should have been where the NCOs responsibility ended.

I had a Soldier that got pissed off at me because his promotion board packet was done in time to go to the board. When the decision was made to send him to the board, I explained to him he could go if he collected all the necessary paperwork to go. It was my way of testing his resourcefulness. It wasn't until a week later that he asked me what paperwork he needed. I, at that time, gave him a list. The only parts of the list he retrieved were his PT card and Weapons card. If a Soldier is that determined to get promoted, he should be acting like an NCO already. If he isn't willing to find the information for himself, then I don't want him as an NCO.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 15 at 2014 9:31 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:31:02 -0400

A message on the SSD site said the classes would not be available until DA selects individuals for eligibility, so the answer would be having your S-3 schools call in and make reservations for your soldiers.

Now time for my rant against SSD and other computer based so called training:

Right before I retired I got tired of hearing, "We gotta get back to basics!" Then the next sentence would be, "Make sure your soldiers finish SSD." This was a real V-8 head slap moment. What the BL**P is "basics" about computer based "training"? One of the basics I would prefer seeing return is personal interaction on a classroom or small group basis. GASP!!!! That method doesn't require a battery until it's time to fill out the training certificate! Call it a Going Green initiative.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 10:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:27:41 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member,

Because you're NG a lot of advice from the AD folks (while good) probably won't help you. As a TNG NCO watching this whole SSD disaster unfold and mess with soldiers career progression, I tell you this in hopes it may help: I had one contact in my state (a recently retired E-8) who was able to get soldiers enrolled in whatever level SSD they needed. Find that person in MD (probably in the G-1 shop), and hope their permissions are squared away. I wish I knew what his process was, or what system and level of permissions he had (could simply be ATRRS with a high level of access/permissions), but that was literally the only way we could get soldiers squared away.

Your full-timers should know who that POC is, since it's likely someone they are in contact with.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 11:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 11:20:32 -0400

E-mail your requests and CC your PSG, 1SG, whoever to make sure they are in the loop. If your Schools NCO does not have an answer move up the chain. For yourself I would wait till SSD 2 works, rumor is that ALC-CC will be no more starting OCT 1st.

For PA Guard SSD 3 was required for E-7, needless to say many lists were almost empty. Do not let it happen to you or your Soldiers. I currently work at a NCOES so if you need anything just let me know and I can see what the school house can do on our end.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2014 12:08 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:08:52 -0400

I am so glad I commissioned right before this came out. Totally dodged that bullet.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 4:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 16:08:42 -0400

Just found out the ppw is going to change again. is this a rumor?