Photo By Master Sgt. Gary Witte | U.S. Army Spc. Marquel D. Edwards of Montgomery, Ala., a human resources specialist...... read more read more
“What are the protection principles?”
“What are the attributes of a leader?”
“What is the most important determinant of combat power?”
“Recite the NCO creed!”
Four command sergeant majors, a sergeant major and a first sergeant delivered their questions and commands briskly, one after the other. Soldiers wearing their dress blues urgently searched their memories for the answers. The senior NCOs watched them, waiting for the correct responses and judging each performance.
There were only a few Soldiers who faced the 642nd Regional Support Group junior promotion board Nov. 8 at the Army Reserve Center in Decatur, Ga. Those who took part found it a grueling process.
“I knew the answers, but being in front of all those sergeant majors makes you flip words around,” U.S. Army Spc. Marquel D. Edwards, a human resources specialist with the 377th Quartermaster Company, said. “It’s the pressure that will mess you up.”
642nd Regional Support Group Command Sgt. Maj. John K. Zimmerman, who presided over the board, said the brigade does not accept mediocrity and demands professional excellence of all Soldiers seeking promotion.
“The sergeants and staff sergeants of today will be our first sergeants and command sergeant majors of tomorrow when both of my children will be of military service age,” he said. “A promotion order specifically states: ‘For demonstrated ability to perform at the next higher level.’ The Army philosophy of promotions is that they are earned and not given away.”
The 642nd RSG will hold boards once a quarter, while each of its downtrace units will conduct junior promotion boards at least quarterly, Zimmerman said.
“Moving forward, we will also hold reduction boards on the same dates to ensure that we purge our ranks of NCO's that fail to maintain standards,” he said.
Those who endured the November board had suggestions for those who will face the subsequent promotion boards.
Edwards, who is from Montgomery Ala., recommended Soldiers conduct mock promotion boards using senior NCOs they don’t know in order to prepare themselves for the real thing. He also pointed towards the study guide.
“If you study it, you’ll learn it,” he said.
Sgt. Bobby D. Mims of Evergreen, Ala., a maintenance sergeant for the 228th Transportation Company, said this was the second board he has gone through. He recommended Soldiers learn the meaning of the study information rather than just learning to recite it, so key words can help trigger the correct answer.
He said Soldiers should also stay confident in themselves during the process.
“I think I have a few areas to improve in,” Mims said. “[But] I’m satisfied with my performance because I gave it all I’ve got.”
Sgt. Curtis J. Cuffin of Warner Robins, Ga., training NCO for the 377th Quartermaster Company, also cited the importance of confidence and said the board demonstrated to him the importance of knowing the material.
“Study and do the best you possibly can,” he said
Spc. Shalese Willis of Macon, Ga., a supply specialist for the 377th Quartermaster Company, said her preparations prior to the board helped her with attention to details and how to present herself.
The experience also helped her with anxiety and nervousness. Before entering the board she said she didn’t expect it to be enjoyable, but preparing for it was beneficial.
“You can learn how to not fold under pressure,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.27.2014 00:20 |
| Story ID: | 148984 |
| Location: | DECATUR, GA, US |
| Hometown: | EVERGREEN, AL, US |
| Hometown: | MACON, GA, US |
| Hometown: | MONTGOMERY, AL, US |
| Hometown: | WARNER ROBINS, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 303 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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