What do you think of soldiers approaching RCP?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:26:24 -0400

I know several soldiers currently fighting to make promotion and their close to RCP. Some of the Soldiers are in hard to promote MOSs. Do you think of them in a bad way or do you want to help them succeed in making the next rank to continue their service as a soldier?

Response by SFC Robert Trodahl made Apr 21 at 2014 1:35 PM

SFC Robert Trodahl — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 13:35:09 -0400

They should be able to change MOSs before the window closes, or am I mistaken? Hate to see any Soldier go who fights to stay!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 1:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 13:45:41 -0400

Without knowing them I don't want to pass judgement since everyone's situation is different. Saying that, if they just realized that ooops I am getting close to RCP and it's time for me to improve my pt or do classes or whatever, for them is probably best not to make it. In the other hand, if it's a hard worker that has been trying forever and is stuck in a 798 pts MOS for example, help them in any way you can, maybe reclass to a different MOS, whatever it takes to keep them in service

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 21 at 2014 2:52 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:52:04 -0400

Personally, I'd like to see the Army make it easier for these individuals to move laterally to another MOS where their skills can be used. I don't believe that a Soldier should be punished because HRC can't manage numbers and allowed an MOS to become top heavy..

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 21 at 2014 2:56 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:56:27 -0400

What kills me about this is and I say this without knowing the Soldiers at all; is that it seems that the Army rather keep the ones not making a difference, not putting forth the effort, not leading by example and just discard the ones that are. SSG Hasbun nailed it right on the head; the Army should allow them to transfer to another MOS that they are qualified to do based on their ASVAB score if they want to stay. Why punish someone just because they are in a top heavy MOS?

Response by SSG Daniel Deiler made Apr 21 at 2014 6:29 PM

SSG Daniel Deiler — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:29:51 -0400

Maybe make it an option for an NCO that has been passed over 3-4 times due to the competition in top heavy MOS's the option to transfer to a new MOS?

What kills me are the NCO's who are up for promotion that don't even bother to validate their MyBoardFile and STILL get picked up for promotion while those that work diligently with their S1's throughout the process to ensure all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted are passed over. If they cannot even take care of their own career, why on Earth would anyone expect them to take care of other Soldiers?

Response by MSG Martin C. made Jun 16 at 2014 4:26 PM

MSG Martin C. — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 16:26:32 -0400

It's hard to pass judgement or or make generalize statements about this topic, however in my particular field I used to be a 25L with points of 798 all year round. I personally know several NCOs that at one point outranked me an even were my supervisors. I asked my self why what went wrong? I only know what I had to do to make sure I advanced my career things like maxing my APFT, going to the board twice, maxing weapons, doing details Recruiting and Drill Sergeant, I took college when everyone else was partying and having a good time I was writing papers and attending class on my lunch. But when I have ran into some of these guys they are surprised that I made SFC and they are SGT(P) or SSG. All I know if I was able to make points at 734 and get selected for SFC maybe they should had look at the choices they made in the past. Again I am talking about only about those I personally know. The hard reality it's that the Army is an enterprise and some of it's employees will reach their potential at one point. Not everyone that starts at Walmart as a cashier will become supervisor etc it just the reality of the work force civilian and military alike.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 4:31 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 16:31:09 -0400

The people I've seen this hurt the most are NCOs in an MOS that just doesn't deploy often - lab techs in our case. They're going to board against people with multiple deployments and leadership positions, while they've spent 5 years working in a lab. They can be great soldiers and did an outstanding job, but it's hard to look good in comparison.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 10:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 22:39:49 -0400

If you are a sub-par SGT who suddenly wants to get promoted when you are 1 year from RCP I have zero simpathy if you can't get promoted. I do think SGTs who are at that much TIS who can't get promoted because the MOS is over strengh needs to re-class. The Army NEEDS to help these Soldiers who have the time in, but because they are stilling at 675 points and promotable for years can't get the next rank need to be re-classed with ease.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 10:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:55:24 -0400

Unfortunately with downsizing we need to clear the ranks to make room for others to get promoted. However, that being said some MOSs top out at E-6 for AGRs in the Army Reserves. Others are able to get promoted up to E-9, but there are so few slots. To keep them in the E-9 slots until they retire can be good if they are a good SGM, but it also ties up the promotion of everyone else. I suggest trying to get another MOS to get promoted within that field to stay in. We are losing good Soldiers in order to promote others. I hope we can retain and promote the right Soldiers, but I am also a realist and know that we do not always do that. That is a downside of paper boards and limiting slots and keeping some people in that should not be just because they are already at that rank and have not hit their RCP yet.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 12:22 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:22:54 -0400

I was one of them, I don't think any less of them.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 25 at 2015 12:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:31:17 -0400

I knew of a SSG who RCP with 19 years in.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 7:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:18:35 -0400

Unfortunately this answer is two fold, under the old RCP prior to changes SGT's promotable who where in low density MOS's and didn't desire to have responsibility commensurate with the next rank were able to finish out at 20 years and retire. When RCP changed that safety net went away and a fire was lit under their butt, unfortunately these NCO's became low hanging fruit that the big Army saw as opportunities to use in reduction of the force. To that I unfortunately have no sympathy, when a SGT(P) tells me I don't want to be promoted, don't want the additional responsibility my response will always be the same are you an NCO or a "SGT" if you're here to just collect a paycheck maybe it's time to move onto bigger and better things outside of the Army. On the flip side the NCO's that are busting their butts to make cutoff and make that next rank, I applaud you. You're leading by example and showing subordinates that while it is hard, hard work pays off. I think the Army should identify those striving to achieve and setting themselves up to separate themselves from their peers, and find a way to retain them, whether it be in their current MOS or an MOS with better promotion potential. With the new NCOER coming I think the trend of everyone being 1/1 for performance and potential won't be as overinflated as it is now and those that strive will be identified while those doing the bare minimum to stay in will also be identified. SGT McMurdy I've known you for years, you've come to me seeking guidance may not have liked the answers you got but I can honestly say you will find a way to set yourself apart from your peers and be pinning on rank soon enough. Keep doing what you are doing and keep doing it well!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 9:38 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:38:25 -0400

I believe latterally moving them into another MOS would be a great idea and save thousands in training dollars. Mainly because these are Soldiers that already understand the way of life. But on the other hand RCP is a good way to weed out those that are just hanging around to collect a paycheck that only do what they need to do to stay out of trouble. In a sense I guess it is a double edged sword.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 2:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 14:08:56 -0400

SGT McMurdy, I may have replied but I see it two ways... One is a trooper busting their rear to get to the next rank and missing cutoff in our low density MOS, I would be more inclined to help the Soldier and not see them in a negative light. Two is the guy who comes to work does the bare minimum necessary to do their job and not warrant a needs improvement but is stagnant and not being proactive with their promotion potential and or ambition to be given more responsibility, while I wouldn't say I'd look down on that Soldier I would be more prone to rely on the proactive folks that are trying their damndest to get to the next rank than the just meeting the standard trooper

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2019 7:00 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 May 2019 19:00:03 -0400

In some cases, I have seen Soldiers hit RCP and have incredible NCOERs. They make everyone around them better and yet can’t get promoted. Once they leave everyone I. The unit wishes they where able to stay because of their work ethic and devotion to the profession. In this case I believe there should be an exception to policy because they are worth keeping and it is in the best interest of the Army.