Dilema

[d3sc3n7]

Ok...I've been talking to my wife about this one. As some of you know...I'm a 92G (cook)...not by total choice, but thats another story. Dont get me wrong, I love my job.

Now, The problem with the job is...I'm not going anywhere in it. I've been E4 for 4 years now. I keep getting passed for promo, and for no good reason. I mean hell, I RUN a damn site right now! I'm not trying to be held back anymore.

So, I'm really thinking of a reclass. Not sure what I'll go into. Depends on whats open to me. I'm well out of my "window" but while depolyed, everyone can reup. So, I may have to eat a big chunk of the bonus if it comes down to it.

What do you guys think though? Bad plan? Good Plan? I cant get a S to TS clearence, bad credit history. (working on that) So, that throws alot of jobs out the window.

Its just....I love the army, and I'm doing 20...but I know myself, and my work ethincs...I'm not about to be on a slow track my whole carrear! I'm really at a loss right now!

Suggestions?

[italyjumper]

I understand your dilemma. I have a few questions for you.

1. Are you promotable but cant make cut off scores?

2. Have you been counseled for your first line supervisor at least quarterly on why you are not getting promoted?

2. Are you given goals on what you will need to accomplish in order to be sent to the board?

3. Are you physically fit? Honestly, are you in shape or overweight?

I can give you more guidance after I see your responses.

[d3sc3n7]

I understand your dilemma. I have a few questions for you.

1. Are you promotable but cant make cut off scores?

2. Have you been counseled for your first line supervisor at least quarterly on why you are not getting promoted?

2. Are you given goals on what you will need to accomplish in order to be sent to the board?

3. Are you physically fit? Honestly, are you in shape or overweight?

I can give you more guidance after I see your responses.

1: I cant even get to the board...I have the points
2: Counseled?! HAHA!
The other 2: No, I'm told I dont have "leadership" skills...yet I'm not given ledership roles. I'm running a field site right now, but not at my units descresion.
3: I'm 6' 4" - 185lbs..PT = No problem

[italyjumper]

Okay thanks for the feedback. Here's the deal. Your unit leadership is wrong for not counseling you. Your unit first sergeant is not following regulations by turning in a counseling statement at least quarterly on your performance with the monthly triple alpha report explaining why you are not being recommended for promotion.

With the new automatic promotion system to E-5, someone is obviously covering themselves by not recommending you without paperwork.

I would talk to your first line supervisor at the next opportunity and schedule a formal counseling session. In that counseling session, you need to ask why you are not being counseled about promotion and what you need to accomplish, display, and execute in order to become a Sergeant. I assume from your sarcasm that counseling is something that does not occur in your Unit. If so, that is dead wrong and to me, a sign of a unit that does not take care of their Soldiers. Soldiers , just like the rest of the working population expect feedback on their performance whether it is positive or negative.

I would give your SL about seven days to counsel you. If he does not counsel you or refuses to do so, I would request to see the 1SG using the open door policy. Just remember to be tactful when you are talking to these guys and remain calm.

I truly hope that you get some feedback from your chain of command on what is going on with you and your career. It makes me sick to think that there are leaders out there who are not taking care of their Troops in regards to counseling, personal n professional development, and overall wellbeing..

If you need anything, you can PM me anytime

[d3sc3n7]

Here is how my unit works, and why I want out of it!

The NCO's stick together (not really a bad thing). However, the NCO's can do no wrong. We had 1, my TL get a DUI! Punishment? Counseled by my 7! How you ask? I have no idea! He's now looking at getting his 6! Yet there are soldiers in the unit, not just me...who bust thier balls day in and day out...and get no recognition for it.

My view on things: I'm the only "senior" E4 in the section, so I pretty much run things E4 and below wise. So, why would he promote me and leave the section to people who are young and dont have much experience?

So, even if I cant reclass...I want a PCS or at least a unit change. SOMETHING, to get me outta this unit. I've talked to branch, but its impossible to transfer out of campbell. They stay well under strength so they dont let anyone out.

[italyjumper]

I understand what you are saying but if you read what you wrote, you are just making observations about a problem and not developing a course of action to remedy the situation. You say that you want out of the unit but what about the Soldiers who are left in that unit once you leave. You should talk to your chain of command and find out why you are not being promoted, demand counseling, and if you dont get counseled, use the open door policy to try and change the "system" that you have described in your unit.

Ya know the worst unit I was in was horrible. It was filled with a mafia of sorts of NCOs and Officers who only cared about themselves. I really wanted to leave and get the fuck out of there as soon as possible. I couldnt get promoted and had a few issues. Looking back on it, it was the best damn situation I could be in because it forced me to develop a strong leadership style, learn Army regulations, and lead from the front on a daily basis. I changed my little piece of that Unit and took care of my Soldiers. In the long run, it developed me personally and professionally because I had to deal with things on a daily basis that you dont have in a good unit.

You need to talk to you chain of command and get some feedback. Without talking ot them and finding out why you arent getting promoted, all you are doing is holding yourself back from finding out whats up.

[d3sc3n7]

Well, I must say...that's a pretty valid point which I'd not thought of. It's just so DAMN frustrating! On this deployment, I dont even work with my unit...I'm attached to another one. So, I will have to shoot a few emails when I get back from RnR. Thats about my only line of comms. Well, other than tying up the sip/nip lines which I'm not about to do.

See...this is why I seek an outside point of view.

[italyjumper]

I understand your pain and know how hard it is to work for one unit but be tied adminstratively to another unit. I dealt with the same thing for 15 months in Afghanistan. Conversations suck over NIPR/SIPR lines too so I know what you are going through.

Have you talked to the unit that you are attached to and see if they will send you to the board? If you are attached to another unit, I assume that your new unit is also doing your service awards, RnR orders etc....All of us who were attached to another unit just fell in with the new unit for our paperwork. Just made things easier since we were all located within the same battlespace.

If you cant work with the new unit admin wise, I recommend you write up an email and blast it to your Squad Leader. I have done plenty of counselings over email, phone, sipr, and mirc chat because of physical distance between me and my Soldiers.

[Mortarman11c]

Sage advice........I wish you were my platoon leader.........can you load a jet????

[ABN5-0]

Look at the bright side D3 at least you didnt let the FOB run out of water. . Your food sucks but thats fine.

[d3sc3n7]

I'm not 100% sure if the new unit is doing everything. It's not a "official" attachment, no attachment orders or anything. So, its a pretty confusing situation.

[italyjumper]

I'm not 100% sure if the new unit is doing everything. It's not a "official" attachment, no attachment orders or anything. So, its a pretty confusing situation.

Well that should be one of the questions in your email. Get clarification about your role with the unit you are working for. I look at it like this, if the Unit is feeding me, scheduling my RnR, writing my awards, ncoers...then I work for them and answer to them...

Never hurts to ask questions.

[italyjumper]

Sage advice........I wish you were my platoon leader.........can you load a jet????

Fuck it..If an old mortar maggot like you learned how to do it, I am sure I could pick it up after a Saturday train up...I will bring the beer..

I am not wearing one of those gay helmets though...

he he

[GERONIMO]

In many cases being attached is a real bummer wether with orders or not. "Out of sight out of mind". Many units see it that you are not an "asset" to the unit and are just gone. Exercise your voice and keep in contact with your assigned unit. Let them know that you are a part of the unit and though you are "attached" elsewhere you are part of the unit and wish to be counseled by the chain of command. BE DIPLOMATIC in your conversations. EVERY soldier should a secondary MOS. If you have a non combat primary you should have a combat secondary and vise versa. The reason for this is so you always have an MOS that you can work in and get promoted in and insure that you can complete a 20 year career. I carried a 11B primany and a 76P secondary. Additional qualifiers are also important. I carried a P3 profile for several years before I retired. Besides being airborne qualified I was a DS and a Senior Instructor. My MOS at retirement was 11B5HVSP. Have you thought of volenteering for DS school. It might be a good way to break the chain, get stabilised and get a quick promotion. I was attached to another part of my unit. I went to DS school, graduated in the top ten in August and made E-6 in September. Just suggestions but if you are dedicated to a career you have to look out for yourself. I also spent three year as SAI in an 04 slot at Millersburg Military Instute. I was NCOIC of a range at Fort Polk that ran 15 hours a day when I noticed a very small article about needing JROTC instructors "only those in the top of their catigory need apply". BINGO, Instant Promotion List. One year to E-8. What I am saying is there are always career options. Always look for that next promotion or beyond. You are currently in a no position and need a way out. The way out is not always the easy and may take some self sacrifice (a lot of dedication and WORK). AIRBORNE! GERONIMO!!