Should enlisted jobs go on an officer's biographical sketch?

2018-07-11T01:58:40-04:00

Looking at Appendix H of NGR600-100, the example shows that even though the officer had 4 years enlisted experience, none of his duty assignments as an enlisted soldier are listed on the sketch.

Edit - Thank you for the responses. A point of clarification I would like to make is that I am submitting an application for an AGR position, and it is all done on paper. Whatever I put in my sketch is all that the evaluation board will see. The job announcement specifically states to use the template I referenced above.

I was specifically wondering about the list of appointments. As an officer, I obviously do not have a lot to put in there yet. The way I interpreted the template is enlisted/NCO jobs are not appointments, therefore they do not belong in that section, however there was nothing else in the sketch template that allowed me to put in my significant assignments, of which I have several, having served 16 years enlisted before going Dark Side.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 11 at 2018 6:13 AM

2018-07-11T06:13:07-04:00

I have seen enlisted comments I the BIO of General Officers. Its good to know where you come from and what influences you. Thank you for your service v

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 9:04 AM

2018-07-11T09:04:26-04:00

I was told to remove my enlisted assignments from my ORB, which contributes to my bio card. Advise was given to me by my squadron commander, now a full bird. I took his word like gospel due to his successful track record. This may be similar to officers refraining from wearing marksmanship badges. Not every acceptable practice is in Black in white.

Hope this helps.

Response by COL Thomas F. made Jul 11 at 2018 10:19 AM

2018-07-11T10:19:08-04:00

Good question. One that I had when I was a LT in the late 90's and a prior service NCO myself. Here's some factors to consider. Promotion boards are all electronic now so the officer bio and paper DA2-1 are relics of the past used by State level managers or unit commanders that don't have access to your records. Remember, that Reg was written in 1994 when the internet was still an infant and I had typewriters in my Company HQ. The electronic ORB does not allow for prior service time to be recorded (as far as I know), unless its just a free text entry by your assignment officer (or whoever has access to it). Your PEBD will show if you were in the Army before your commission date. If you are talking about Appendix H in the NGB reg, it looks pretty cut and dry. Showing a prior service shows you have some legit time under your belt. Its not an Enlisted bio, so I would just put "Honorable Discharge, (RANK), MOS, year XX to year YY" is all you need. As you get more senior, a lot of that becomes irrelevant unless your talking to NCOs at the DFAC. I knew one 3-star that still wore his Drill Sergeant badge on his uniform. The NCOs liked that. The education portion is a good idea especially if you have a cool school under your belt like ATRRS operator, security manager, or something else that is transferable to the officer ranks, or a school that had both NCOs and officers. Basic training and AIT... not so much cause everyone goes to those and you identified your school with the MOS. Most important, whatever you declare on that bio/2-1/ORB, better be backed up with documentation in your OMPF. Just sayin... Enjoy your career as an officer!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 10:40 AM

2018-07-11T10:40:28-04:00

Interesting question. The Navy has always leaned towards the "less is more" mentality...and in that sense, I have tremendous respect for a former Petty Officer or Chief who upon putting on Ensign...doesn't go to great lengths to advertise past experience-personally, I think it is immediately obvious and commands immediate respect. I had a wardroom mate on LPD-12 who "looked" young, and never let on to anyone about his past. He was an exceptional DIVO and Sailor whose men would've done anything for him...turned out he was a former Marine Corps NCO. I've also seen (not divulging too many details) former enlisted officers who never seemed willing to accept their new role...and may have "stolen the thunder" at times from their SNCOs and NCOs. That being said, there are direct benefits for prior service, and aside from what is held in their service record, an officer should be appreciated for the hard work, commitment and excellence that is so often part of the prior-enlisted officer community.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 11:13 AM

2018-07-11T11:13:11-04:00

I just applied for an AGR position as well. My ORB was submitted as well as past OER's. None of my enlisted time goes on the ORB. They only want to see your rated time as an officer. At least that's what I was told.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 11:54 AM

2018-07-11T11:54:19-04:00

I personally keep my enlisted time on the military bio. That was not only time well spent as a Soldier, but contributes to who I am and how I lead today as an officer. I’m also the type who keeps his military bio dusted off and brushed up, so feel free to look mine over as an example. The format seems fairly similar.

http://jamesforwood.com/milbio

milbio

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 2:43 PM

2018-07-11T14:43:05-04:00

He reason that enlisted jobs don’t go on your ORB/SRB is that they are not part of the Officer professional development. When you read DA Pam 600-3 it states that enlisted service, while valuable, doesn’t not equate into your Officer development. The way I worked around this fact was to add my enlisted experience to my Resume and Biography. The only course that transferred to my ORB were Rank immaterial schools. For example: Contracting, Jump Master, Healthcare Recruiting. The reason is that both Officers and NCOs can attend these schools and earn ASI. Don’t get hung up on how vast your resume is, the AGR programs knows your LT, while you have extensive NCO experience you still lack Officer experience and knowledge. Put it your packet and if it’s meant to be then it wil happen. Good luck.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 25 at 2018 11:54 PM

2018-08-25T23:54:38-04:00

Follow the template. Does the template have a section for skills/qualifications/certifications/schools? This may be where you could slip in there "During 16 years of enlisted and NCO service, completed....training".