Posted on Dec 5, 2014
Should Soldiers be promoted within or outside units?
52.4K
498
83
8
8
0
E2 through E4 many would agree you keep within the unit, but when promoting to E5 and above should a Soldier be promoted within the unit or be forced to promote outside the unit? Is your answer different for enlisted and officers?
***For the purpose of this discussion if they are deploying (have mobilization orders) or are deployed should they be promoted out of the unit once they return from the deployment?
***For the purpose of this discussion if they are deploying (have mobilization orders) or are deployed should they be promoted out of the unit once they return from the deployment?
Promotions
Enlisted
NCOs
Officers
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 59
18
17
1
As a Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant I used to battle this issue with almost every Battalion CSM I had. They always seemed to want to promote them to SGT and then move them to another unit using the claim that it would be easier for them to transition into the new rank and responsibilities.
I was just the opposite. I trained them, cultivated them to the point the were ready for the new leadership responsibility. Therefore I was keeping them in order to continue their progression.
I knew them, their strengths/weaknesses; they would be able to transition into their new responsibilites in familar sroundings; Plus it would also be easier for them to bring any issues or problems they may have.
After a lot of hell raising I usually got my way!
I was just the opposite. I trained them, cultivated them to the point the were ready for the new leadership responsibility. Therefore I was keeping them in order to continue their progression.
I knew them, their strengths/weaknesses; they would be able to transition into their new responsibilites in familar sroundings; Plus it would also be easier for them to bring any issues or problems they may have.
After a lot of hell raising I usually got my way!
(18)
(1)
SPC Mark Lalonde
Ask the soldier what he wants. The platoon sergeant what he thinks. Think about where he is needed. Make a decision. There is never a stream lined answer for anything, especially in the Army.
(5)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
And you don't believe none of that is done! It is, but the lowest priority of all those...is what the Soldier wants! If a Soldier doesn't want the responsibility, both easy and not so easy....then his/her ass should have declined the opportunity to go before the promotion board.....I never sent a Soldier before a board...if they didn't want to go....but I made it clear if they only wanted to because of the pay raise and not the additional responisibility....they would be E4 until their ETS. The Army is always looking for and in need of junion leaders....toughest jobs in the Army go to junior leaders, both NCOs and Officers. Some meet the challenge head on, some pull the wool over their leaders eyes and only want the pay raise. And you're so right, there is never a streamed lined answer in the Army, everyone does not have integrity, everyone is not honest, and too many are more concerned with self-worth rather than their worth to their organization and Soldiers they lead.
(1)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
I have to agree with 1SG's former CSM. I came from that tradition as well and also feel that the transition is so much smoother. Just feel that the added pressure although it can be helpful it can be a major distraction.
(0)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
@SSG Keeneth Aponte - depends on the leadership in place whether the transition is smooth or not. Please provide further insight to you post.
(1)
(0)
6
6
0
I agree with a lot of the senior NCOs responses. I was brought up in the same platoon and developed by good and bad leadership that I had and watched from PFC to SGT. The bad leadership brought me knowledge on how not to be a leader and the good ones taught me what it takes to be great. I was groomed and brought up by a section leader who became my platoon sergeant. When the group stays the same, it is a great experience and as 1sg McPherson said below, I was able to shine as a young leader because of my command groups knowledge of who I am and what I am capable of.
With that said, this may contradict, but, I do believe at some point a PCS is necessary, I served in my platoon for over a year as an E-5 team leader and Section leader at times both in garrison and deployed. Upon return from deployment as my senior NCOs PCSd I was left to fend for myself with a new command from the top down. I did not fare well, because of the group of leaders I was raised under. I will admit, I did not adapt well to a new style of leadership. A PCS was needed for me to continue to develop and maybe make SSG. I elected to leave the Army due to my inability to adapt to a new command group as I would not have had a chance to PCS due to deployment and a previous stabilization contract.
My answer: E-4 to E-5, within, kept in the platoon or company. after a time. 1 year or so, PCS in order for a leader to best prove their ability and right for promotion to E-6. Ive seen a lot of soldiers promoted within from E-5 to E-6, that should not have reached 6 just yet. The good ol boy club.
With that said, this may contradict, but, I do believe at some point a PCS is necessary, I served in my platoon for over a year as an E-5 team leader and Section leader at times both in garrison and deployed. Upon return from deployment as my senior NCOs PCSd I was left to fend for myself with a new command from the top down. I did not fare well, because of the group of leaders I was raised under. I will admit, I did not adapt well to a new style of leadership. A PCS was needed for me to continue to develop and maybe make SSG. I elected to leave the Army due to my inability to adapt to a new command group as I would not have had a chance to PCS due to deployment and a previous stabilization contract.
My answer: E-4 to E-5, within, kept in the platoon or company. after a time. 1 year or so, PCS in order for a leader to best prove their ability and right for promotion to E-6. Ive seen a lot of soldiers promoted within from E-5 to E-6, that should not have reached 6 just yet. The good ol boy club.
(6)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
@SGT Spencer Land ..well put. A couple question-comments to what you said. You did not adapt well under new leadership, learning to adapt (whether we like the situation or the leadership) is a much needed quality in all leaders, especially those at the E5-E6 level. You also feel that a PCS should be in order for a leader to best prove their ability and right for promotion to E6. If both of those had not been determined by the unit leadership prior to the promotion, then the promotion should never have occurred at all. I understand we have always had and will always have those whom we feel should never have been promotoed or how they got prmotoed past PV2, but wearing E5-E9 stripes. No system is perfect on its own merit, and the Army's promotion is based on leadership evaluating with integrity (doesn't always happen unfortunately).
This is why I raised hell to keep my young E5-E6s when they were promtoed. It allowed me to continue to observe, mentor, coach and tear their ass when necessary and ensure they matured and grew into the leaders that the Army System intended.
Don't misunderstand my comment, I am not disagreeing with your comment. I've seen what you've said....happen! In those cases, there was a leadership breakdown that should and could have been prevented with involved and caring leadership.
This is why I raised hell to keep my young E5-E6s when they were promtoed. It allowed me to continue to observe, mentor, coach and tear their ass when necessary and ensure they matured and grew into the leaders that the Army System intended.
Don't misunderstand my comment, I am not disagreeing with your comment. I've seen what you've said....happen! In those cases, there was a leadership breakdown that should and could have been prevented with involved and caring leadership.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
I believe that it makes a more rounded Soldier when they move around to different units. I think that is what has made me into the leader that I am today is that I moved around a little bit to take promotions. I encourage my Soldiers to do the same. Being in the Guard usually we have to stay with the unit for a year before you can transfer out if you find you do not like the unit.
(5)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google