SQT (Skill Qualification Test)

2014-07-08T03:57:14-04:00

Should the Army reinstitute the SQT as an official measurement of MOS competency for Soldiers?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2014 3:59 AM

2014-07-08T03:59:18-04:00

I think that the Army should bring back the SQT test so that Soldiers will be tested on their knowledge of their MOS field. I remember taking two of them in the late 1980s and barely passing them.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 8 at 2014 5:13 AM

2014-07-08T05:13:34-04:00

They should never have gotten rid of it in the first place, but it was a victim of the budget and that is why it will also probably not return. It is a costly program to keep updated with the rapid changes in technology.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 8 at 2014 8:26 AM

2014-07-08T08:26:22-04:00

In short the answer is Yes....it was a way for the Officers and Sr NCOs to know a bit more about where their Soldiers and Jr NCOs were at competency-wise in their MOSs, and was a tool to be utilized for training, schooling and promotions. Should never have been done away with, far too many individuals got promoted that were "board-smart" but were so incompetent in their jobs that they ended up being moved out of their positions due to their un-trainability , ie. couldn't perform as a tank gunner as a SGT, moved to the BN Support Platoon to be in charge of ammo or a fueler.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jul 8 at 2014 9:58 AM

2014-07-08T09:58:40-04:00

Absolutely, positively yes. While SQT had it's issues (Guys who can do all the "book tasks" on test day, but don't contribute to the actual functioning of the unit), it served an important role of keeping people connected to their MOS. This in turn helped force the issue of having people DO their MOS (not that that has ever been perfect, either. There always have been and will be mismatches).

Response by SSG Daniel Deiler made Jul 8 at 2014 9:55 PM

2014-07-08T21:55:00-04:00

Yes, Yes, Yes a thousand times YES!!! Not just for a means of separating and identifying the Army's best and brightest, but also as a means of staying proficient in ones MOS ESPECIALLY during times while serving in non-traditional roles and special duty assignments. I spent 2 years as an AIT Instructor and the last 3 as a BDE S3 Operations NCO. While the 2 years spent as an instructor were technically within my MOS, the material I was presenting in my classes was static and repeated itself every 8 weeks and 3 days. In my eyes, I have been working outside of my MOS for 5 years and counting now and am currently on orders to Ft. Eustis. To say I'm a bit apprehensive is an understatement since I do not feel that I am current (I have completed the GCSS-Army correspondence but nothing more) within my MOS nor have I had the opportunity to practice anything that would be within the 92A realm. It pains me to admit I am no longer a SME...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2014 10:17 PM

2014-07-08T22:17:22-04:00

A most definite and resounding YES!!! Without a doubt, if this had been kept around a long time ago, many of these toxic leaders would not be where they are at now. If you don't KNOW your own job then why are you here?