Removing the SSD portion as a requirement for any promotion.

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 20:22:26 -0400

While I want to tailor this torwards the junior enlisted, what about removing the SSD as part of the promotion requirements? I think the SSD is great for sucker studies and professional development, but little real or added benefit came from it when I was studying for the board or getting ready to start leading troops. The Six Sigma-did nothing. Anything on the logistical side of the house made me want to vomit. For a logistician, that is super important. However, for a mechanic, it does absolutely nothing.

What my suggestion is create a program that is tailored/branch specific. Ways to improve, ways to optimize, and lessons learned from combat and experience (deployments), then just some blanket garbage requirement. As a Specialist, we are supposed to be technically and tactically proficient in our MOS, yet time after time I see Soldiers with very little knowledge or proficient grasp on their jobs get promoted into the NCO slots. I think the tactical/technical proficiency side should be weighed more heavily in promotions than just with SSD.

Thoughts?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 3:01 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 03:01:08 -0400

For me I'm taking the ssd1 to get it out of the way but everything on there is stuff I have knowledge about already, good for refresher but as a requirement I believe having more hands on approach works better, the ssd does help to incorporate knowledge to members who might not understand or have not been exposed to a situation.

Like me being an e3 and had to fill an e6 roll for a short time.