Why is it that Active has to go in front of a promotion board and Reserves don't?

2016-06-09T15:05:37-04:00

For E-4's going to E-5 at least, they submit a packet and that's it. I googled already and came empty handed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 3:09 PM

2016-06-09T15:09:35-04:00

I think it's more so a tradition than anything else. Should be like the Air Force and just take a test

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 9 at 2016 3:24 PM

2016-06-09T15:24:33-04:00

You will drive yourself insane doing the "How Come" between Reserves or NG and active duty..
Forinstance, why does an Active Duty SM who wishes to be an Infantry Sergeant Team leader have to go through 14 weeks of OUST, be selected for promotion several times, train at the individual, team, squad level for somewhere north of at least a year to be selected and promoted to Sergeant E-5, 11B.. But the reserves can build an Infantry Sergeant in two weeks having had no previous Infantry training of any type?
How Come........ad nauseum.. end of the day, it's as simple as those that control the play book, wrote the rules that say they can.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 3:26 PM

2016-06-09T15:26:40-04:00

Depends on the region, and the unit/BN/BDE operates. I personally know several Reservists that have had to stand before the man to show they are ready for that "P"

Response by SGT Ian Williams made Jun 9 at 2016 5:43 PM

2016-06-09T17:43:56-04:00

You asked a great question and it was answered by a few of the other comments listed. I went from being Active Duty to Reserves this past March. I got promoted a year before I went to the Reserves. It seems that you are nervous about going to the promotion board, if this is the case then you can ease that by doing practice boards, soldier of the month boards ect. The fact still remains that to get the promotional status you have to show to the senior level leadership that you can show them that you have the qualities to lead other soldiers, to handle not only your own situations but also their situations if need be. Anyone can give "orders" or directions but enforcing the standards and being the one that soldiers look to is different. The board can be hard and nerve wrecking but if you can't handle that pressure how can you handle the pressure of leading soldiers both in garrison and in combat? Your leadership sees potential in you if they are recommending you to the board and presenting you to the board. See what they see and always make decisions based on what is both morally and ethically right, as long as you follow that you will do fine. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-06-10T11:14:22-04:00

Yeah its pretty sad. While I cannot make a Soldier appear in front of a board to submit a packet I "highly recommend" they do a Soldier of the quarter board before they submit a promotion packet. At first the Soldiers kind of rebelled against it but they came around and appreciated the experience of having to prepare for something and the tradition of it all. It gave them a sense of accomplishment that they honestly they don't get every battle assembly as a TPU Soldier.