What are some useful skills or advice for an SPC about to be an E5?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 16:33:56 -0400

I’m about average in everything and don’t really stand out much. I stay out of trouble and get along with the majority of everyone.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 4:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 16:56:57 -0400

If you want to be a great NCO, then stop being average and start being excellent as you can be and start standing out.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 5:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 17:59:13 -0400

You'll probably be assigned a few Joes to tend to. So make sure they stay green across the board, and don't cause trouble.

My biggest oversight as a new E5 was not tending to my NCOER. I was given a mediocre one, when in reality I was never flagged, I was the one on extended missions, was awarded an AAM, and volunteered for a deployment. Learning I am compared against my E5 peers in NCOERs it wasn't until an E8 rating me down range for my deployment mentioned my Reserve Unit screwed me on my previous NCOER.

That's neither here nor there now, but if I wanted to put in a WOC packet that wouldn't have been to my favor to have a bland NCOER.

I can tell you right now, if your rater has to write your NCOER from scratch you are going to get the minimum. Feel free to be as insanely optimistic in your NCOER support forms as you want, and leave it up to your rater to reel you in.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 6:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 18:01:23 -0400

Being average is the start, but what are your ultimate goals? What do you wish to achieve in the 3-5 year plan?

What I always tell my Paratroopers is that, stop comparing yourself to others and stop saying you are average.

What I would tell you to do is the following:

1) start doing things that add to your resume. In this case, your Soldier Record Brief (SRB) formerly known as Enlisted Records Brief (ERB).
a) start by adding schools to your ERB (PME)
b) add identifiers to your ERB. (Ranger if you have the appetite for the challenge), Airborne, Air Assault and Path finder.
c) add MOS specifics (Any schools that enhances your technical knowledge) to your ERB.

Learn to lead and become a dynamic leader at that. Always be ready to adjust fire and adapt as necessary.

The rest will sort itself out and you will see that there’s a difference between comparing yourself to others versus competing and versus bettering yourself.

When you set yourself up to work on how to better yourself, you will see a huge difference and a significant increase in your ability to become competitive rather than trying to be better than the next person.

You can always try to be better than the next person, but never depend on that alone. You might want to be better than me, but what do you know about my plans? How far I have accomplished? All of that is irrelevant. What’s important is do better by you and for you because when you do, your subordinates in the future will appreciate you as a leader.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 6:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 18:17:55 -0400

Get away from being average. If you accept mediocrity, that’s all you will want out of your soldiers. You cannot expect them to be more, if you’re not. And if you only expect that from them, you should not be a leader. Step away from being average and find a way to start excelling in everything that you do. The Army is more than a 9-5 and takes many hours outside of work to sharpen your tools and improve your craft.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2020 10:07 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 22:07:37 -0400

Be exceptional in the example you set for others. Be seen caring. Listen. Do the right thing when no one is looking and be the leader you wish you had as a Private.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDQj-sU9Opw

Leadership Has Nothing to Do With Rank | Simon Sinek

Leaders are the ones willing to take care of the people around them. They can exist in any level or department of an organization. We call someone “leader” b...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2020 12:40 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 00:40:03 -0400

A good NCO once told me "You should focus on two ranks ahead." In your case, what are the things that will make you a good SSG? Once you get promoted, what things will make you a good SFC? Setting the bar high for yourself changes your mentality and hopefully has a positive effect on your performance.

If you want to set yourself apart, focus on the following:
-College courses: Take as many as possible. Get good grades.
-PT score: Anyone can improve with extra effort. Utilize the gym at lunch and watch your nutrition.
-Assignments: E4s and E5s can call branch managers, too. Don't wait for the Army to decide for you.
Ask your leaders what assignments you should pursue and contact your branch manager for action.
-Attitude: Stay positive, especially around others.
-Planning: Try to maintain your own battle rhythm. You should be deciding what needs to be done in advance, not waiting until the last minute.
-Writing: Lots of Soldiers lack writing skills. Learn how to do it all: NCOER, Awards, Scripts, Academic papers, etc. Seek mentorship from your senior leaders. Ask them to show you how to do it.

Best of luck to ya, Demitri. SPC to SGT is by far the most difficult transition you'll ever make.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2020 11:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 11:48:54 -0400

Review your Level 10 tasks for your MOS and your Common Tasks. Start reading and understanding your Level 20 and even Level 30 tasks. Make sure you’re prepared to start training others to maintain their skill levels.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 5 at 2020 2:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 14:38:30 -0400

Lead by example. Take care of soldiers and value their families. Live by the army values. Give the soldiers maximum heads up for up coming events. Be fair. As an E-5 you are where the rubber meets the road. Get to know your soldiers. Ask the soldiers their plans for the weekends. Become technically and tactically sound. Create a leaders' book. It should have soldiers' data and training calendar at the minimum.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 11:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 23:45:02 -0400

1. We’ve all had bad NCOs. We’ve all had great NCOs. Remember what pissed you off about those bad NCOs, and never do that. Have a honest think about what made the great NCOs great, and try to emulate it.

2. You might not know what to do, but always sell it like you do. Nothing eats at Joe/Janes morale more than an unconfident leader.

3. Remember the little things. As an NCO you will have the privilege of guiding and developing the Army’s future leaders. But always remember that they are people too. Get to know them, their backgrounds, their families. Remember when their kids birthdays are. They will bend over backwards if you care about them and their families well being. The key with this one is to not cross the line into a improper relationship. Never let your relationship with them influence your decisions.

4. Always trust, but verify.

5. You will now be blessed with the honor of performing cyclic and sensitive inventories. Don’t short cut it. Check your serial numbers always.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2021 5:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 17:57:11 -0400

Don’t worry, most of the leaders in the military were average and were still promoted. You’ll be fine. Stay out of trouble and you’ll be promoted. Always place your Soldiers first. Don’t fall for that mission first BS because the mission can’t be accomplished without the Soldiers. I never had a Soldier get in trouble on or off duty and it’s because I took care of them and treated them with dignity and respect. Instilling fear in Soldiers is a horrible leadership trait. Never curse them. Dignity and Respect is the way to go. Also, get to know your Soldiers so that when you say you care for them you truly mean it. Hope you have a great career.