What are some ways you gained extra promotion points?

2015-08-27T03:26:10-04:00

I am an E-5(P), been promotable for over a year, with 5 years TIS. I have completed ALC, am enrolled in college courses, close to maxing correspondence courses, attained membership to the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, and I am just wondering what others have done to get promoted to SSG

Response by SSG Toryn Green made Aug 27 at 2015 3:28 AM

2015-08-27T03:28:38-04:00

Do every correspondence course you can find. That's where the points are! Volunteer for every school you can!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 3:36 AM

2015-08-27T03:36:57-04:00

With the new Army promotion model about to take place it sounds like you are well on your way to promotion. Resident courses are crucial, as well as college, PT, and weapons qualification. Awards are another great way to earn points. I'm not sure what your MOS is but as a soldier you can potentially qualify for three drivers badges...all worth 10 points a piece. The volunteer medal isn't regulated so any amount of hours can warrant the award if your unit deams that your hours are for the betterment of either the army or civilian community. im a mechanic and in the same boat, promotible with a steady 798 point value. Good luck to you.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 5:43 AM

2015-08-27T05:43:28-04:00

DSST courses at the Education center.. They are similar to Clep test but much easier to me..http://getcollegecredit.com/

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 7:19 AM

2015-08-27T07:19:40-04:00

Bro you are killing it. We have been in for just about the same time. I understand you want the rank but at the same time remember the Army is transitioning and downsizing. Switching your MOS to make SSG seems counter productive to me. The new system is coming out and if you are a younger NCO with college it seems it will be in your favor. Best of luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 7:43 AM

2015-08-27T07:43:17-04:00

As SSG Rodney stated, make sure you maximize the points you have. For some reason a lot of guys, including NCO's have no idea about Joint service Transcripts. I have over 30 college credits just from military experience, which it sounds like you would have a lot as well. Enroll into a school, and get those JST Points instantly. Another thing is, if you have all of those qualifications and ALC complete think about going warrant if your MOS has them. The fastest way to get points by the next cutoff, update ERB with Joint service transcripts for college, add any technical certifications(look at HRC website, you may have one from your MOS certifications, Improve PT score, dedicate a few hours a day for correspondence courses).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-08-27T09:38:09-04:00

Go to Ranger school!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 9:39 AM

2015-08-27T09:39:57-04:00

Seriously though, if you want to double dip on those correspondence courses, pay NCI to evaluate your JST and ATTRS, and have them convert it into college credit.

Response by SSG Adam Wyatt made Aug 27 at 2015 2:06 PM

2015-08-27T14:06:55-04:00

Schools. ABN, AASLT, Pathfinder, etc. are quick and easy ways to gain promotion points.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 3:16 PM

2015-08-27T15:16:58-04:00

Have you maxed weapons and Pt?

Response by SSG David Dickson made Aug 27 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-08-27T15:24:47-04:00

In-residence schools everything naster fitness bus driver armorer HAZMAT NBC field San CLS, this has been where I tended to see the most potential f2ffor more points. Everyone di rd correspondence, but not everyone GOES to military schools

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 2:05 AM

2015-08-28T02:05:25-04:00

For me, it was Civilian Education and Languages. My DLPT was ALSO converted into 30 college credits in addition to the points I received from the tests themselves. It was and seeing the new changes coming our way, it would still be (Civilian Education and Languages) what always gave me an edge... Still does.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 5:21 AM

2015-08-28T05:21:01-04:00

Change your mos.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-08-29T19:20:30-04:00

Simply volunteer for every school, field sanitation, combatives 1,2,3, maybe even 4, Unit Prevention Leader, Unit Movement Officer, Mail Handlers, Master Driver, just like the other Ssg said Ranger, Air Assult, ETC. there are tons of schools?

Response by SGT Zack Boger made Sep 2 at 2015 9:32 PM

2015-09-02T21:32:04-04:00

If you ever had to drive in you can get your driver badge I know it's super gay but it is promotion points and it's not like you have to wear it

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 6:10 PM

2015-09-03T18:10:16-04:00

If you need core classes for your degree, contact your college and ask what they will allow you to CLEP. College Level Exam Program, if you pass the test and the college accepts them they will give you credit that converts to points, check out the ed center since they usually adming them there. The Army is becoming more competatvie for the senior ranks and college credit is huge factor.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 6:12 PM

2015-09-03T18:12:44-04:00

Check with your college and see what CLEP (College Level Exam Program) tests they will take. After you pass these your college is notified and shows up on your trascript as college credit, thus giving you more points. Check with your ed center about signing up for them. Take a look at Collegeboard.com for more information.
Also ask about the DANTES exams.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 9:27 PM

2015-09-08T21:27:37-04:00

Yes seriously consider an MOS change because you shouldn't need all that to get promoted to E6. If you really need that much your state for your MOS must be extreamly tight

Response by SSG Sean Garcia made Sep 9 at 2015 7:47 PM

2015-09-09T19:47:48-04:00

First, congrats on Audie Murphy award. Second, as stated previously, go to as many school as possible. Sounds crappy, but it'll make your ERB look good. I had a buddy with a nice ERB get picked up for WOC. He is now a CW1. Keep it up and don't lose sight of your goals, also PT, keep up those standards and your golden

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 11:13 AM

2015-09-30T11:13:06-04:00

Taking on additional duties can help, mainly the ones that require you to go to short schools, i.e., hazmat, master driver, etc. I also did quite a bit of volunteer work and attained the MOVSM. If you are a member of the Audience Murphy club, volunteer opportunities should be really easy to come by.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 9:16 AM

2015-10-09T09:16:16-04:00

You are on the right track. Have the school evaluate your mil training for civ education. But not to be the devil's advocate but I do agree with changing MOS to a more needed one. I'd the top NCOs are retiring then it halts promotions. That is why there is forced retirements and RCP. Do I agree with it not always but it has to happen. Keep up school mil and civ education awards.

Response by SSG James Cook made Mar 6 at 2016 3:30 AM

2016-03-06T03:30:58-05:00

You are in during a tough time, with the draw down promotions will very slowed for a few years until the strength numbers are finally sorted out. You can do all the correspondence courses during one overseas tour to korea or a motivated year at at by assignment by your self. All of then. The toughest thing to get is the civilian education because it takes at by while to get the points beefed to max that section out. But CT will evaluate your MOS and your rank snd your time in service at by nanny transfer that experience to college courses after you take 2 classes with them. I ended up with 47 this way. But I still had to go get the other 53. It's tough and it takes motivation. It may not be 100 points for civilian education now. But the key to promotion atbyndndndfternd success in life is education plain and simple.

Response by SSG James Cook made Mar 6 at 2016 3:36 AM

2016-03-06T03:36:22-05:00

With 5 total tears in the service it's to early for you to make SSG anyway you need a lot more experience. Especially at leading soldiers.