What can I do to help my promotion to E-5?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:26:18 -0500

I've just picked up specialist back in December and I want to start working towards my next promotion. other than BLC and correspondence courses what can I do to help me get E-5? As well, is BLC required for that promotion? I've been told my state is lacking funding so it's going to be tough to get a slot in BLC.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 9:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:34:33 -0500

First, apparently BLC is required for promotion effective 1 January 2016. Things you can do to increase your chance of promotion are: Score as high as you can on APFT, Qualify as high as you can, do correspondence courses, take college classes (this will really separate you from a lot of other soldiers), and do everything possible to get a quality EER.

If you can get any 40 hour courses that will also help as well as any awards you may earn.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 9:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:42:42 -0500

The great thing about the ranks of SGT and SSG is that it's in your hands. It's up to you on getting them. How much you study, how much work you put in to stand out, how well you perform, and how much work you put into your academics.

I'm not sure if you being in the guard makes it where you must go to BLC for promotion, I know for us active duty folks this Is now a prior requirement to promotion to SGT. But until your name comes up on the OML, you can put forth work on standing out above your peers (taking charge, volunteering, etc). Boost your promotion potential: correspondence courses, marksmanship, APFT score. Volunteer for those weekend activities or something big within your company. Sometimes those'll come with COA's and other awards. College is also a big one. It's free and you can do it online at your own pace.

But like I said, it's in your hands man. Keep up the pursuit!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 9:50 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:50:15 -0500

If you recently advanced to SPC you may not be high on the priority list for BLC especially when funding is at issue. Go to college, volunteer for everything, up your IWQ and APFT scores and get a mentor.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 9:52 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:52:47 -0500

Check your Cutoff points to see where it's at. If it's trending high then you have time, if not then start busting your butt and you may see it sooner than you thought you would! You'll need to see what points you do have and what you are lacking. Use the PPW (Promotion Points Worksheet) and that will give you a good idea on what you need.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 9:58 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 21:58:26 -0500

My advice is to go to schools. "Well funding is an issue." Of course it is, and I don't mean air assault, but there are a great many *local* opportunities that are low budget. A few I can think of are CLS(combat lifesaving), SINCGARS(radio proficiency), and weapon or vehicle NET courses. They usually aren't too tough to get, but the most important thing is that your NCOs (particularly your readiness NCO) know you want to get promoted. That way, the more information and opportunities that come into the unit, the more they are directed towards future NCOs like yourself. You have a LOT of time (at least a year) to do whatever you can, so get to the range, work out, and look for opportunities to educate yourself.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 10:43 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:43:37 -0500

Under STEP, Select, Train, Educate, Promote, you must have BLC completed to be promoted, however, you will still get put on the OML or EPS list with SSD1 completed, once you have one year time in grade. If you are high enough on the list to get a sergeant slot, you will get sent to BLC and promoted.

With that in mind get SSD1 done and work on being the best soldier you can. Funding is short in the guard right now, and schools always go to soldiers who have set themselves apart from their peers. Whether you get a school or not doesn't make a lick of difference, be a compent, reliable, and self motivated soldier and you will be rewarded.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 11:50 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 23:50:12 -0500

Number one stop referring to it as a pay grade. Those are the worst leaders the Army has. Attend as many boards as you can to prepare yourself for the promotion board. Get enrolled into college. Most of all don't get discouraged. Promotions are hard to come by right now. It has nothing to do with your ability it's just the majority of MOS are over strength. But while you wait keep working on your PT score, weapons qualification, and adding credit hours and you will earn the rank of Sergeant.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 3:04 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 03:04:31 -0500

start working on correspondence courses and professional development classes

Response by SFC Carlos Gamino made Feb 10 at 2016 3:18 AM

SFC Carlos Gamino — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 03:18:22 -0500

Most important is to be able to apply your knowledge and demonstrate that you are a capable leader. You can do everything you mentioned, BLC, ect., and still lack leadership traits. Display confidance and the ability to lead. Gain the trust from your leaders. Don't jump into a position which might overwhelm you.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 10 at 2016 8:17 AM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 08:17:12 -0500

A lot of folks already gave great advice, so I will just add one more. Awards, specifically volunteer somewhere. Track your volunteer hours and then have your leadership put you in for the volunteer award. It is one of the very few awards that you have complete control over.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 8:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 08:50:45 -0500

College credits are worth a lot of points. I suggest going to school.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 9:13 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:13:00 -0500

Always keep in ind that the first, and in my opinion the most important thing one can do for promotion is to fulfill your current responsibilities and do you current job well.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 10:46 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 10:46:24 -0500

Try competing for best warrior. The competition will identify you as a hard-charger, and winning (who really goes to a contest to not win?) will identify you as one of the best and earn you accolades.
It should also get you coveted school seats, if they are truly hard to come by.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Feb 10 at 2016 11:40 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 11:40:16 -0500

Show your unit that you can be a good nco, do some volunteer work with your unit.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 8:46 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 20:46:03 -0500

Civilian education brother start that ASAP.

Response by BG David Fleming III made Feb 11 at 2016 9:30 PM

BG David Fleming III — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 21:30:43 -0500

Good score on the APFT (250 or better) seek Challenging assignments and work on a degree above a high school diploma, if you haven't already done so. Finally, talk to your rater and ask him or her what you need to get a good evaluation.

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made Feb 11 at 2016 10:03 PM

SSG Melvin Nulph — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 22:03:09 -0500

Nothing worth while should be easy, true? So no matter what steps you take, do yourself a favor & make sure you do your best at it. Then no matter how life turns out you know you did your best. The other members have given you some great ideas and if you look at the information given to other in your situation, "It's the same for all of you trying to make E-5", & we want to see you make it as well, good luck, we know you can do it!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 6:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 06:54:01 -0500

A lot of good advice above. A couple of things I I have to add are, that in the Guard, schools are not automatic, and promotions require a slot within your state. Each state may have their own slightly different policies but they are somewhat similar. Civilian education, PT, and ALMS/ Correspondence courses will go a long way to help you. You need BLC to be promoted but not to be placed on the OML. When you are eligible, you will submit an EPS packet. All eligible Specialists and Corporals will submit their packets at the same time. This packet will go to the board in your place. Take your time and do your packet exactly as the MOI states. Attention to detail is very important. There should be a CDR/1SG appraisal in the packet as well, these can make you or break you. To make sure it makes you, be that guy at drill, every drill, that volunteers, asks to take other schools, that is willing to do anything he's asked. If you work harder than someone else, don't complain about it, just keep on working. Your leadership will notice. This is also how you get to BLC ahead of your peers. You'll stand out. There will be a mileage election in the packet, this is how far you a willing to drive to get promoted. From current unit only to Statewide. The further you are willing to go, the faster your chances of promotion. Once the OML/EPS list is published, as slots come available in your State, the the units will call the first person on the list for the MOS of the open slot. They work their way down the list. If they call, don't turn down the promotion in hopes that you'll get a better slot later. If you turn it down, you are dropped off of the list until the next year. The bottom line is that you need to have the best military bearing you can, do everything you are told to and then ask for more, step up and take charge when you can. Show your leadership that you are ready to be a SGT. Don't be the guy that thinks he's been there for two years so he is supposed to get a pay raise.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 8:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:56:12 -0500

There is some great advice on here already! I have two things to add:

1. If you spot any opportunities to step into a leadership role (team leader, acting squad leader, leading a mission), do it. Learn what you can from stepping into positions that give you the opportunity to lead troops, even if it's only one or two soldiers.

2. Find a SGT or SSG to take you under his (or her) wing. If they are already a respected NCO, that means they're doing something right (theoretically) and you can learn a lot from them.

Otherwise, SSD1, weapons qual, APFT, correspondence courses, college courses, and volunteering for military schools and boards will help you out a lot.

Response by SPC Michael Gifford made Feb 12 at 2016 1:26 PM

SPC Michael Gifford — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 13:26:21 -0500

expanding knowledge in military training as well as correspondence courses. requested advancements for Sargent tasking, armorer, motor pool, field sanitation. i am not certain, but when i exited there as a considered interest of field deployment experience points to be portioned as credited promotion points as well. so more than drill time or activation time, they would be looking for 6 month physical combat theater experiences as well. obviously, board practices are a must as well. in all honesty, your NCO's should have been working with you at promotion to E4 to start your line to E5. where the best advise any can give you, is to correspond with your detachment and squad Sargent's.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 17 at 2016 3:55 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 15:55:20 -0500

Marksmanship, PT score, being involved with your unit not during drill.

Response by MSG Mark Million made Feb 18 at 2016 1:37 PM

MSG Mark Million — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 13:37:49 -0500

First do your job and gain the respect of your NCOs and Peers. On the academic side, you need correspondence, college credits, good PT, Weapons, and awards. The correspondence, college credits are the biggest differentiating factor to move you past your peers as so many don't bother to do them and the rest will usually take care of itself by just doing your job.