Posted on Jan 28, 2014
Should promotion boards be based on more than answering and remembering a predetermined list of board topics.
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Let's face it, promotion to E-5 is a very important issue. It is the beginning of the Army's first and most influential front of leadership. I personally have been in the Army long enough, and have been to enough places, to realize that sometimes those who have passed the board may not be the most ideal candidates for promotion. Please give your thoughts on the promotion system for E-5 and the pros and cons involved in it. Please be open-minded when answering or reading others answers that you may not agree with. It takes the ideas and efforts of all ranks to keep the Army running, let us try and keep this discussion that way.
Promotion Board
Downsizing
Training
NCOs
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 35
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PFC Morrow, in my opinion its more than just kowing how to answer question from a book. First of all I will not send a soldier to the board unless I feel they have proving to me and other leaders that they are ready to become a NCO. I could care less if a soldier can answer every question from the study guide. They will only go if we feel they can LEAD.
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Suspended Profile
Deployments are a huge factor in who gets promoted. If you are in a TRADOC unit that doesn't deploy, you are likely not getting promoted. I completely agree, even though I got my deployments in.
SSG (Join to see)
With all due respect I agree with the deployment points. It is the only area that values team work and forces you to contribute to the rest of the army. Without this incentive soldiers would just ride profiles and get their college education on the backs of their peers who are actually doing what a soldier is supposed to do in a time of war.
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<p>This is how the E-5 promotion should be:<br><br>Day One - PT Test/CTT Performance - skill level 1-2<br>Day Two - Range<br>Day three - Essay (Why should you be an NCO/What you have done for the Unit/Platoon/Section)<br>Day Four - Board<br><br>Day 1 - Will asses Physical Fitness/ / Skill 1 - 2 proficiency</p><p>Day 2 - Will assess if you can shoot<br>Day 3 - Will asses writing and communication skills<br>Day 4 - Will asses verbal communication, posture, confidence and basic army knowledge</p><p><br>That is the perfect promotion for E-5/6, is it practical, slightly the range portion can be difficult if you are in a TRADOC unit. </p>
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1SG (Join to see)
CSM,
I have seen this type of system fail a few times. Why, because the promotion system is base on a professional trust from Senior NCOs.
However, sometimes it back fires, I had a buddy that was recommended by his 1SG to go to the board. My buddy's NCOIC did not know about the recommendation, so on the day of the board. The NCOIC went into the board and said this SGT is not ready for more responsibility, at that moment all the board members were like WTF, what just happen. The CSM was pissed about the whole issue, because a soldier just got humiliated and screwed.
My buddy was a Level 4 Master Instructor as a E-5 and very proficient as a 11B.
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I have seen this type of system fail a few times. Why, because the promotion system is base on a professional trust from Senior NCOs.
However, sometimes it back fires, I had a buddy that was recommended by his 1SG to go to the board. My buddy's NCOIC did not know about the recommendation, so on the day of the board. The NCOIC went into the board and said this SGT is not ready for more responsibility, at that moment all the board members were like WTF, what just happen. The CSM was pissed about the whole issue, because a soldier just got humiliated and screwed.
My buddy was a Level 4 Master Instructor as a E-5 and very proficient as a 11B.
.
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SSG Oliver Mathews
SSG Cedeno,
I don't believe that this is an accurate way to measure ones ability to lead. i cant believe that the only good leader is a PT stud, that can shoot, or be pass a writing skill test. The only one that can be conducted regularly by the soldier is PT. The soldier can go to college to get better at English composition but this then takes his choice away. He becomes College educated or he doesn't make SGT.
What really should matter is his ability to Train soldiers in CTT, and their jobs. A SGT should be the SME on his equipment and his job and should be able to teach or train anyone to work on his or her equipment. Being able to run a 13 minute 2 mile and shoot a 40, or write an essay, doesn't make you able to lead.
I don't believe that this is an accurate way to measure ones ability to lead. i cant believe that the only good leader is a PT stud, that can shoot, or be pass a writing skill test. The only one that can be conducted regularly by the soldier is PT. The soldier can go to college to get better at English composition but this then takes his choice away. He becomes College educated or he doesn't make SGT.
What really should matter is his ability to Train soldiers in CTT, and their jobs. A SGT should be the SME on his equipment and his job and should be able to teach or train anyone to work on his or her equipment. Being able to run a 13 minute 2 mile and shoot a 40, or write an essay, doesn't make you able to lead.
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1SG (Join to see)
SGT Mathews,
Each of the skills that I mentioned are areas that a leader needs to be proficient. NCOs we lead from the front, you want soldiers to follow you must set an example in every area of soldiering PT, Marksmanship, Communication, CTT, and military/life Knowledge.
That is because Junior soldiers judge their NCOs in the areas that they feel are important.
The Promotion Board is not to measure leading abilities is to measure your Potential, It will never be an accurate way to measure your ability to train/leader.
I seen great NCOs with good leader attributes but they lack Technical skills in the other hand you have very Technical NCOs that nobody wanted to follow.
Each of the skills that I mentioned are areas that a leader needs to be proficient. NCOs we lead from the front, you want soldiers to follow you must set an example in every area of soldiering PT, Marksmanship, Communication, CTT, and military/life Knowledge.
That is because Junior soldiers judge their NCOs in the areas that they feel are important.
The Promotion Board is not to measure leading abilities is to measure your Potential, It will never be an accurate way to measure your ability to train/leader.
I seen great NCOs with good leader attributes but they lack Technical skills in the other hand you have very Technical NCOs that nobody wanted to follow.
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