Posted on Jan 26, 2016
Marine lance corporals, corporals to face promotion review boards
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Marine Corps
Promotion Board
Sgt
LCpl
Cpl
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 6
Suspended Profile
Hopefully this slows down premature promotions taking place, and having 2.5 year Sgt's, thus enabling promotion for those who truly earn them...... I consider myself promoted faster as well (to Sgt), but due to circumstances, I did hold a chief billet successfully halfway through me being a Cpl (helped pros and cons greatly) and most of my time as a Sgt.... In my opinion, even though we always teach leadership at the lowest level, most aren't really ready to competently lead a fireteam or section - I'm talking about the whole Marine concept, not just being stellar in your MOS/billet (I know it's important, but IDGAF if you're a GCSS wizard-clerk).
We have the tools, PME and guidelines, but I saw a lot Marines being promoted to Cpl/Sgt just because their MOS has a low cutting score, unfit to lead, set the example and train subordinates.... at first it was Landing Support (those who know, know what I'm talking about, specially if you were on Del Mar), and then Data (sorry bro's in keyboards, just because you are smarter than the average bear in setting up a Domain Controller, and your command leaves you alone because the BC wants his interwebz, doesn't make you great).
Slay bodies and drink water.
We have the tools, PME and guidelines, but I saw a lot Marines being promoted to Cpl/Sgt just because their MOS has a low cutting score, unfit to lead, set the example and train subordinates.... at first it was Landing Support (those who know, know what I'm talking about, specially if you were on Del Mar), and then Data (sorry bro's in keyboards, just because you are smarter than the average bear in setting up a Domain Controller, and your command leaves you alone because the BC wants his interwebz, doesn't make you great).
Slay bodies and drink water.
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The Board issues are cyclical.
You are about to discover the "peace time" Marine Corps.
All of the common sense acquired over decades of wartime conditions is about to go out the window and experienced Marines will EAS in the months and years to follow.
You are about to discover the "peace time" Marine Corps.
All of the common sense acquired over decades of wartime conditions is about to go out the window and experienced Marines will EAS in the months and years to follow.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Not at all. Marines through Sergeant are still promoted "statistically" (Composite/Cutting Score). This is designed as a mentoring tool to see if Marines are doing everything they need to do to maximize said scores and are ready to take on more leadership responsibilities.
I "think" it is akin to the Army's board process, but much more informal in nature. Guidance thus far is "no general knowledge."
The "Terminal Lance" phenomena is a result of Billet Allocation. Because we only "auto-promote to LCpl, and statistically promote above (Full Board at SSgt +) it creates a funnel effect. The Army likely has a similar issue at Specialist, but it's less apparent because of the TIS/TIG requirements going from E3 to E4 to E5. For Marines, it's very easy to hit E3 right out of MOS School, which means you can sit there for 3~ years.
As a counter example, because of my MOS, I picked up Cpl fast (about a year), but sat there for almost 3 until almost every other Cpl or Sgt either got out or got promoted to SSgt respectively. I had a Sniper Private (while I was a Cpl) that worked for me that pinned on Sergeant (while I was still a Cpl). Just the way the system worked. If I has stayed in however, I would have pinned on MSgt/1st Sgt before him by 2~ years easily though.
I "think" it is akin to the Army's board process, but much more informal in nature. Guidance thus far is "no general knowledge."
The "Terminal Lance" phenomena is a result of Billet Allocation. Because we only "auto-promote to LCpl, and statistically promote above (Full Board at SSgt +) it creates a funnel effect. The Army likely has a similar issue at Specialist, but it's less apparent because of the TIS/TIG requirements going from E3 to E4 to E5. For Marines, it's very easy to hit E3 right out of MOS School, which means you can sit there for 3~ years.
As a counter example, because of my MOS, I picked up Cpl fast (about a year), but sat there for almost 3 until almost every other Cpl or Sgt either got out or got promoted to SSgt respectively. I had a Sniper Private (while I was a Cpl) that worked for me that pinned on Sergeant (while I was still a Cpl). Just the way the system worked. If I has stayed in however, I would have pinned on MSgt/1st Sgt before him by 2~ years easily though.
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LCpl Mark Lefler
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - this is why a lot of 03xx became computer techs, because it promoted alot faster and it was more useful in the outside world.
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Isn't it still a requirement that once you earn your NCO stripes that you're required to go to NCO school?
Within a few months of being meritoriously promoted to Corporal, I was required to go to NCO school and if I didn't graduate you wouldn't get any further in your career ultimately forcing you out. Yes, they used the cutting score to promote, but only if you had the pro/cons and approval of the senior NCO's in command.
Semper Fi!
Corporal 0311