Where can I get more insight on how to get promoted to SGT before my contract ends?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:44:54 -0400

I'll try to keep this short. Prior service USMC to US Army. I'm approaching 8 years total but 6 as an SPC/E-4. I was told I can't go past 8 years as a SPC so I extended for one more year last year in order to try to get promoted to SGT. Literally my entire Army contract I've been a SPC and NOBODY has talked to me about getting promoted. Nobody is tracking my status and every time I ask about how to go about things in order to get promoted, nobody helps me or gives me answers. I have a family and I really want to get promoted. I've done DLC, they "claim" I don’t have to go to board since I was recommended by MLI. I just need more help with this complicated situation. There's a lot more details. But I have 4 months until my ETS (since apparently I can't re-enlist) and nobody has noticed. I've brought it up and they just don't give a crap. I can give more details if needed.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Mar 22 at 2021 1:12 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 01:12:31 -0400

When I was NCOIC of Enlisted Promotions 83-87, everything was based upon promotion points. Not sure what they are doing now. Would suggest SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" might be able to provide assistance. Good Luck
(the I G might be a possible resource)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2021 1:21 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 01:21:56 -0400

Ask your CoC if you can get a seat to BLC ASAP! No one is going to look out for your career better than yourself.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Mar 22 at 2021 1:43 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 01:43:02 -0400

Just curious, have you done any correspondence courses or college courses?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2021 2:09 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 02:09:21 -0400

If your SPC(P) then its 10 years rcp. Just get your promotable status to have more time

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2021 2:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 02:11:31 -0400

First let me say that I can tell you haven't actually sat down with a Career Counselor based on your information. You absolutely do not have to ETS this year and you can extend today. Don't listen to the junk your peers say, always go to the source. In the Army, Regulations are King. Always go to the source or else the subject matter expert when you're in a bind. As a rule, either your peers or wrong because they're ignorant, or they're wrong because the policies change too fast. But, usually your peers are wrong so go find a subject matter expert. If your pipes are broke you don't go see an electrician, you see a plumber. Figure out who the SME is in any given problem.

One of the quirks about the Army is that nobody talks to you about promotions because it's kind of viewed as a rite of passage. You have to learn what you need to know and that's part of the process. In a great leadership situation you might have a mentor who will teach you, but your mentor might teach you by making you find the answer yourself. One of the most important lessons you learn in the Army is how to research the answer for yourself. Since it's your promotion most people look at it as you will find the answer once you're motivated enough to do so.

However, prior service like yourself are severely disadvantaged by this thinking. So, I'll give you a few resources to start so you can be on par with your peers.

First off, you'll definitely want to get deep into AR 600-8-19 Enlisted Promotions. You fall under the section of Semi Centralized promotions.

As for Retention, you are a promotable E4 since you are MLI. There is no "claim", read the regs and you don't have to be cynical. Your ERB will show you that you're already promotable, you don't have to believe or disbelieve anyone's claim. The Retention Control Point for a promotable E4 - AKA High Year Tenure in the Navy, AF, and USMC - is 10 years of Active Federal Service. If you have Reserve time it doesn't count against you but does count for pay. Your AFS is determined by your BASD. If your BASD does not give you the correct credit for your active time then your Career Counselor or S1 can fix that. Your BASD is not the day you joined the military. It's the day that's used to determine when you hit 20 years of active federal service for retirement. That means that if you are approaching 8 years of ACTIVE federal service then you can still extend your contract out to your 10 year mark. If you are having trouble with this, PM me here and I will put you in contact with the right person to help you

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2021 3:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:06:13 -0400

Do you have an S1? You need to go and verify your PPW is reflecting everything you have earned/done that is worth points. I know it's tough to get promoted but if you put in the effort, you can do it. I think as a 92G you only needed 326 points to make SGT last month. PT and weapons qual should get you at the very least half way there already. Go to your education center and register for a class, have your current military record converted to college courses at the college you choose. It wont be much, but that's a few more points. You can max correspondence courses in a week if you focus on them in your off time. And boom. You just made points.

Part of succeeding in the Army, or any military service for that matter, is being proactive and finding a way to get the job done. This is your career and no one is going to care as much about it as you. If you do not have an NCO that supervises you, or provides you guidance and mentorship, feel free to reach out to me anytime. I will point you in the right direction or find someone who can. Good luck on getting promoted and remember the lesson you learn throughout this experience so you can share it with your future Soldiers!

Response by CPT Keith Celebrezze made Mar 22 at 2021 11:03 PM

CPT Keith Celebrezze — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 23:03:37 -0400

First, I politely recommend that in your search for promotion you take on a tone of personal responsibility (sergeants are responsible) and humility when talking with your superior officers and NCOs (NCOs are respectful experts) . This is a perfect scenario of "catching more bees with honey than vinegar". Honestly, and I'm just trying to be genuinely helpful, your tone might be the problem. Sergeants don't act like victims, usually. It may be why you haven't been given an invite. So, here's what I would do to invite yourself.

Write a formal email to your first line supervisor requesting the "promotion packet" or "board memo" or "board warno". Every unit has a formal process for e5 promotion, which begins with receipt of that document. S1 might have it. Your CSM CERTAINLY has it, but don't jump that high. Ask your first line via email and cc his first line, if you expect resistance. FYSA to superiors is fine. If you're chummy with an e7 you could mention it to him, and he could touch the CSM.

Talk to your BN or Brigade s1. Get the precise dates that are deadlines. In your emails, emphasize that time is of the essence, if it is.

Start collecting stuff you'll need to know preemptively. You'll need to know simple stuff like the soldiers creed, but also look ahead to things specific to your unit, like it's motto or the meaning of its crest. Experienced NCOs love that stuff. Finally, know the NCO creed. You need to know all that so that when you end up on the carpet asking to be invited to the promotion board, you can impress your evaluator. It'll probably be your company 1sg.

Good luck.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Mar 29 at 2021 5:23 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 17:23:22 -0400

A: Speak to a CAREER COUNSELOR!
B. Google is your friend.