Posted on Mar 12, 2015
What's your best advice to give to a Soldier going to a Promotion/Soldier of the Year Board?
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Promotion Board
Board Member
Promotions
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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So, this may not be the best advice but this is what I scored high as a 1SG and looked for as the president of the board. I also did this when I attended my boards.
1. That uniform has to be shit hot! Put all your little colored ribbons and shiny things on and then put the jacket on and look in the mirror. Fix everything so it all looks straight while wearing the jacket. There is a big difference how it looks on a hanger and how it looks while wearing it. Get a haircut, clip your fingernails, trim your nose and ear hair, etc.
2. Definitely study the subjects annotated on the MOI and practice giving the answers out loud.
3. Be confident and a little cocky (not too much, but a little)
Example:
1SG: SPC Snuffy do you know the maximum effective range of the M4 carbine?
SPC Snuffy: Yes 1SG
**uncomfortable silence**
1SG: well would you like to share that with us?
SPC Snuffy: 1SG the maximum effective range of the M4 carbine is 500 meters for a point target and 600 meters for an area target.
4. If possible without it messing up your groove start your answer with the board members rank and repeat the question while giving the answer (last line above). If that is not feasible say the board members rank at the end of your answer. DO NOT SAY IT BEFORE AND AFTER, one or the other.
5. Take the most direct route unless given facing movements by the board members.
6. Speak loud and clearly but do not yell, even when saying the NCO/Soldier Creed. Make and maintain eye contact with board members.
7. Have a short and concise biography starting with basic training and ending with your current duty position. Include spouse, children, civilian education, three short term and three long term goals. Do not mention leaving the military unless it is your last long term goal.
8. Put some damn edge dressing on your shoes!!!
1. That uniform has to be shit hot! Put all your little colored ribbons and shiny things on and then put the jacket on and look in the mirror. Fix everything so it all looks straight while wearing the jacket. There is a big difference how it looks on a hanger and how it looks while wearing it. Get a haircut, clip your fingernails, trim your nose and ear hair, etc.
2. Definitely study the subjects annotated on the MOI and practice giving the answers out loud.
3. Be confident and a little cocky (not too much, but a little)
Example:
1SG: SPC Snuffy do you know the maximum effective range of the M4 carbine?
SPC Snuffy: Yes 1SG
**uncomfortable silence**
1SG: well would you like to share that with us?
SPC Snuffy: 1SG the maximum effective range of the M4 carbine is 500 meters for a point target and 600 meters for an area target.
4. If possible without it messing up your groove start your answer with the board members rank and repeat the question while giving the answer (last line above). If that is not feasible say the board members rank at the end of your answer. DO NOT SAY IT BEFORE AND AFTER, one or the other.
5. Take the most direct route unless given facing movements by the board members.
6. Speak loud and clearly but do not yell, even when saying the NCO/Soldier Creed. Make and maintain eye contact with board members.
7. Have a short and concise biography starting with basic training and ending with your current duty position. Include spouse, children, civilian education, three short term and three long term goals. Do not mention leaving the military unless it is your last long term goal.
8. Put some damn edge dressing on your shoes!!!
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SSG (Join to see)
CSM,
I would also have someone look at my ribbons from about 3 feet away, so they can inform me of the "distance" inspection, so I am ready to explain why something might look high or low due to muscular definition.
I would also have someone look at my ribbons from about 3 feet away, so they can inform me of the "distance" inspection, so I am ready to explain why something might look high or low due to muscular definition.
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SGT (Join to see)
That's GREAT Advice!!! The Cockiness thing especially. I was told about the same thing and to try and make them laugh, being as professional as you possibly can. And at the end of the board if you can. But the topics listed above were given to me and I made the highest score. Very excited.
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CSM (Join to see)
I was so happy after I passed the SSG board. Never went to another board again lol.
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I will remember my NCO board FOREVER. It was held in Iraq and the SGM of 5th SFG. Make the board laugh while being as professional as possible.
My question was: How can we make our FOB better?
Answer: We could have a little cantina.
SGM: Oh so you want a bar and grill? Be able to drink as many beers as you can? (Something to that effect)
Answer: No SGM. BUT a two beer minimum a day would do.
Straight faced, had them laughing, didn't crack a smile (tho I wanted to) and scored the highest. (I did answer all the questions correct as well and stuff. Lol)
Just loved it and it was absolutely the biggest honor for me.
My question was: How can we make our FOB better?
Answer: We could have a little cantina.
SGM: Oh so you want a bar and grill? Be able to drink as many beers as you can? (Something to that effect)
Answer: No SGM. BUT a two beer minimum a day would do.
Straight faced, had them laughing, didn't crack a smile (tho I wanted to) and scored the highest. (I did answer all the questions correct as well and stuff. Lol)
Just loved it and it was absolutely the biggest honor for me.
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TSgt Kevin Buccola
Remember the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy that came out years ago. Well i was a award board and my final question was a current events question - Earlier that morning I was reading the paper and it said that 1-5 males have had homosexual tendacies in their life.
My cuurent events question was how I felt about the don't ask don't tell pollicy. I explained my answer and should have stopped there but nooooooooooo.
I told them that the USA Today stated that 1-5 males had homosexual tendacies....then I said there were 5 of us in this room and I can guarantee it's not me. I did not win.
My cuurent events question was how I felt about the don't ask don't tell pollicy. I explained my answer and should have stopped there but nooooooooooo.
I told them that the USA Today stated that 1-5 males had homosexual tendacies....then I said there were 5 of us in this room and I can guarantee it's not me. I did not win.
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SGT (Join to see)
ROTFLMAO!!! That is the absolute BEST!!! I don't guess they laughed to hard on that one did they?? I sure would've!! Bahaha
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RELAX and BE CONFIDENT!
They are just a bunch of Dudes on the board. All of them have been where you are.
They are just a bunch of Dudes on the board. All of them have been where you are.
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