What are the proper steps to take if you've been neglected for advancement due to mission tempo or just pure neglect?

SGT(P) Daniel McBride — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:36:45 -0400

Recently used the "open door" policy. Even volunteered to deploy recently. I'm at my wits end. Don't want to rock the boat too much but I don't want to give up either. Correspondence is almost maxed and almost at 52 semester hours. Need military training. No negative comments please. I've almost exercised every avenue of approach.

Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made May 14 at 2016 11:43 AM

SFC Josh Billingsley — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:43:17 -0400

USAREC is always looking for volunteers..so is Drill Sergeant branch

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 11:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:44:14 -0400

Who all have you talked with?

Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made May 14 at 2016 11:44 AM

SFC Josh Billingsley — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:44:33 -0400

Mind you, it's also a quick way to 7, which I would have gotten had I not dropped a packet to get out the month after I got selected for promotion

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 11:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:45:26 -0400

As a young Non-Commissioned Officer, I'm sure you've heard the expression "squeaky wheel gets the oil". If not, I'm happy to introduce it to you. The other end of that spectrum is that if the wheel kept squeaking, it'd be replaced.

No one cares as much about your career as you do. You have to speak up and go about things the right way. Utilize your chain of command and voice your concerns. As NCOS, we sometimes lose sight of taking care of ourselves in favor of caring for Soldiers.

I noticed a couple of "almosts" in your question. Leave no stone unturned in your quest for promotion ponts. Complete those almosts and keep pushing, you never know when those points may drop. Good luck and please reach out if you have any questions.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 12:43 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 May 2016 12:43:47 -0400

Have you gone to the promotion board? It's been a little while since I've paid much mind to where the weight in earning points are (for obvious reasons). Civilian education I'd imagine still weighs pretty heavily. That's almost entirely in your control. Just a matter if how hard you want to "grind" at it giving up a bit if your personal time. How many people are in front of you trying to do the same thing? I realize I'm not being very helpful right now, but I'm just trying to get a broader picture of your situation before throwing out generic advice or ideas that may not pertain to your particular environment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 1:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 May 2016 13:40:50 -0400

Do have any additional duties? If not or few they are a good way to increase your value to the organization, bring thise military education points to you. Something I see a lot, which my not be your case, is Soldiers wanting the COC to help them and give little in return. When a Soldier puts the needs of the unit first it will benefit both the unit and the Soldier. There are so many additional duties out there that it can be spread around. Without knowing more details about your career, it's hard to say what direction to point you. ACT Is a great tool.

Response by SFC Roberto Garza Jr. made May 14 at 2016 3:54 PM

SFC Roberto Garza Jr. — Sat, 14 May 2016 15:54:43 -0400

You stated you used the open door policy, what was the outcome? Was it about the promotion. Ask to review your counseling packet for justification. Sometimes we feel that we are doing all the right things but if you have not been counseled or led in the right direction there might be something missing you don't know about and are not aware of. Asked to counseled so you may know what you need to do. Excel at your additional duties, excel at pt and weapons but most importantly don't lose sight of your soldiers. In your concerns for yourself you don't want to forget about them. Be patient and be a great and knowledgeable Sergeant before you rush to be an average Staff Sergeant.

Response by SGT Jay Bee made May 14 at 2016 5:02 PM

SGT Jay Bee — Sat, 14 May 2016 17:02:35 -0400

Sounds like change in scenery may be in order. The COC just like any organization has their agendas and favorites. I am sure that there are things that you control but on the other hand they also control! Sometimes you have to rock the boat to get it unstuck can't be afraid to go hard for yourself.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 9:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 May 2016 21:35:34 -0400

I'd first read up on AR 600-8-19 to make sure I had my ducks in a row. Tear through your ERB for discrepancies, DOR, PEBD that may show you ineligible, if any old flags were still showing that should have been lifted, your correspondence courses have been coded, etc.
Administrative stuff like that will kill a promotion faster than a poor showing at a board.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2016 4:08 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 May 2016 04:08:43 -0400

I am curious as to why you want the promotion? Pay? Responsibility? If it's for pay this career is not for you. I hope you get promoted. However many who deserve promotion don't get it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2016 12:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 May 2016 12:37:40 -0400

Have you recived counseling as to why you are not being recommended?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2016 4:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 May 2016 16:03:54 -0400

Are you promotable but cannot make points or are you having trouble being sent to the board? If you are promotable, you must complete ALC to be fully eligible. If you're chasing points, like I am, use your Joint Services Transcript to get accredited civilian education. Depending on your military training, you could easily get 50 or 60 promotion points. If you haven't gone to the board but meet the TIS and TIG requirements, you should be getting counseled every month stating exactly why you are not sent to the board and how to improve whatever is holding you back.

Response by SPC Sheryl Koch made May 16 at 2016 2:37 AM

SPC Sheryl Koch — Mon, 16 May 2016 02:37:29 -0400

Last I was told was the Inspector Generals office. I have been dealing with injured discharge, awards and promotion issues for others.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2016 9:21 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 May 2016 09:21:40 -0400

Is you SSD2 complete? Do you have WLC (or whatever the hell its called
now) completed? Have you looked at the promotion roster, are you near the top? How much time in grade time in service so you have? Your command is not ignoring your promotion. I get that your busting your ass. But answer these questions for yourself and you will see if you are even eligible for promotion.

Response by SGT Ethan Robinson made May 16 at 2016 11:52 PM

SGT Ethan Robinson — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:52:36 -0400

my question is does your MOS need more SSG's? are you in a E-6 position? what is your PT score what classes/ schools have you been to? is there a need for more SSG's in your unit? rank is earned not given for for two if your unit does not need more SSG's especially if you are not already in a position of a E-6

Response by SGT Ben Bearden made May 17 at 2016 2:17 AM

SGT Ben Bearden — Tue, 17 May 2016 02:17:03 -0400

i have been out for a while but when i was in many MOS's only had a limited number of slots for NCO's, therefore my question to you is do you know how many open slots are in your MOS for SSG? 52 hours of school? or just correspondence courses? if it's just CC's go to school, take as many courses as you can, if they still have the free post courses (i don't know if they dropped that or not) if not, use your benefits go to school.

if fate doesn't shine a light on you, YOU need to shine. don't just meet the standard , exceed them. go back and read your evals's/NCOER's, ask someone outside of your immediate chain of command who is familiar with you what your shortcomings are and modify them from a negative to a positive.

Remember those slots i spoke about earlier? every other E-5 has to shine bright to get promoted, keep that in mind as a motivator for yourself.

Response by SSG(P) Auston Terry made May 17 at 2016 5:51 AM

SSG(P) Auston Terry — Tue, 17 May 2016 05:51:01 -0400

Your original question was what to do if you have been "neglected" for advancement.
I would submit that as a promotable SGT with SSD2 complete and I assume an ALC date since that is supposed to be DA OML now; that you have not been neglected.
The command has done everything required of them to get you promoted at their level: reccomending you to the board, being selected at the board, and lost integration.
The command can't and won't just send you to troop schools so that you can rack up promotion points. Those schools cost the Army money and if your only reason to go is promotion; that's poor stewardship.

If you, personally, want the points then it's up to you to find the additional duties that require troop schools. So that your needs and the Army's intersect. That's the key; establishing a solid nexus.

Response by SGT James Belcher made May 17 at 2016 6:44 AM

SGT James Belcher — Tue, 17 May 2016 06:44:36 -0400

Might not be the answer anymore but I haven't seen this question for you...Have you thought about Combat Arms ? I had several friends join the same time I did and I really out moved up in rank faster than they did...I ve been out a while so this may not be the answer but something to think about.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2016 10:48 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 May 2016 10:48:57 -0400

As an NCO you need to ask the question to your seniors every month. "What do I have to do to get better as an NCO" and write down and verify that you are following that checklist and get your seniors in the mindset that you are ready for a promotion. Make certain your get counseled once a month for self development. The NCO's who stand out will always be the soldiers who get picked. Be that NCO.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2016 11:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 May 2016 23:39:37 -0400

Call branch and see if you can PCS. You need a fresh start.