Would you rather see a written exam for NCO promotions in the Army?

I believe that ALL NCO Promotions should include a written Skills Qualification test. They should also include a Board portion, CONDUCTED IN PERSON and NEVER by a Centralized Board ONLY that can not see the individual nor question them directly.

ALL ACTIONS regarding the promotion or non promotion should be reported to the individual so that NOTHING .... NOTHING .... NOTHING ,,,, not related directly to either qualification or duty performance can at all be considered for any reason.

All factors of RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, and now Orientation and Transgender status are ELIMINATED from consideration. Equal Opportunity MUST become EQUAL FOR EVERYONE. ALL "Protected Classes" of individuals MUST BE ELIMINATED, so that only the best qualified Soldiers are selected for promotion, and that all NCOs not selected know EXACTLY why THAT board did not select them. The idea that the career of a loyal hard working NCO be determined by a board of individuals that has never seen them work or at a minimum spoken one word to them is unfair.

I think SSD covers that just fine.

Stretching out to all branches, I believe NCOs should be able to demonstrate the ability to lead. While serving in the Air Force, I have noticed many NCOs that I feel should not be in their position. They were able to stay out of trouble and take a multiple choice test which gave them their promotion.