Serious Questions About Meritorious Promotions!

[Marcusthemarine]

I know that there are some great Officers, Staff NCOs or NCOs out there that can help me with this. What are some of the Major things that you look for when you are looking to promote a select Marine from Corporal to Sergeant? What are some of the minor criteria? Major criteria? Helpful little tidbits when competition is tight? Thank you for your assistance in advance.

[Echo5November]

Rifle score, pft, amount of mci's completed, pro-con marks, awards, cert coms, letters of appreciation. Majority of the time during a board it starts with everyone competing shows up for a pft, followed by a uniform inspection of the specified uniform of the board, and then the interview consisting of knowledge questions. Read up on your BST, and your shop should have a binder laying around somewhere full of knowledge questions. Know your acronyms (smeac, bamcis, etc.), the 14 leadership qualities (JJDIDTIEBUCKLE) Know the colors on a map (that one always seems to be thrown in). They'll throw in a question to test your bearing (like "what is your spleen and where is it located?", or "how many holes are in an MRE cracker?"). They'll probably even ask you why you think you deserve to win the board. Be honest, and above all, be confident. I've seen Marines walk away with a meritorious promotion and didn't answer the most questions, or have the highest pft. Its because they convinced the members of the board that they would make the best NCO of that rank. Good luck.

[STA0311]

I agree with all of that, however I must add...KNOW YOUR JOB! We had a lot of Security Forces guys get Sergeant in 2 years because they were good at uniforms and PFT's, however once they got in the field, PFC's were kicking them in the ass and telling them how to set up a defensive position which is just unsat for a sergeant. Be an all around good Marine especially when it comes to the basics!
SEMPER

[Echo5November]

and remember, if you do win, don't let it go to your head. You're liable to get chin checked by some salty lance corporal with 47 NJPs. I couldn't stand meritorious NCOs who had less than 3 years under their belt. Pick your rank up with time and earn it the real way. You'll be alot more respected and it teaches you to be a better leader

[MetalManiac]

and remember, if you do win, don't let it go to your head. You're liable to get chin checked by some salty lance corporal with 47 NJPs. I couldn't stand meritorious NCOs who had less than 3 years under their belt. Pick your rank up with time and earn it the real way. You'll be alot more respected and it teaches you to be a better leader

so meritorioud promotions are not the real way of getting promoted? I would have to disagree. I feel for you when you see Marines getting promoted too quickly, that is his unit's responsibility, to ensure that even before he goes on the board, that he is ready to assume the next rank. A lot of Marines get wrongfully "hooked up" by their peers to attend these boards, that is not only detrimental to the Marine, but the unit as well. A Marine's real rank is determined by the knowledge in his head and how he displays the most important characteristic of any Marine, Leadership.

Besides PFT, MCI's, rifle score and awards, knowledge of your MOS and things that you have done while in your MOS that would be considered "above and beyond" should be considered the most important things board members look at during the meritorious promotion process.

In fact, I really hate the "knowledge questions" they ask, who gives a **** if you know what SMEAC means if you dont know how to apply it? Same with other acronyms. Weapons systems should be a huge factor as well, take the board out to the range and see how well they handle their T/O weapons, if theyre bewildered and incompatent, that says a lot about their unit, they have little to no training with weapons that they are assigned to.

Man I would make a great Btry Gy

[STA0311]

I think that meritorious is a "Real" promotion too. My old roommate from Active Duty was meritorious Cpl, and Sgt. He is a good Marine that knows his stuff and leads from the front. Now as a SSgt he is an awesome SNCO, and that is coming from his junior Marines. He sticks up for them, the way his SNCO's did for him! Dont be a person who sticks your collars out...you WILL get chin checked!

[Marcusthemarine]

My issue is not being to weight heavy in the head, or the collar, nor is it being chin checked by some sore loser of a Lance Corporal. My first set of pros and cons as a Lance were 3.9, 4.1 and I hadn't even been administratively dealt with. For the last 4 semi annuals, I haven't gotten anything lower than 4.5 in both catagories. To me, its all about learning from your mistakes, and understanding what it means to uphold the tradition of leadership and morals, and subsequently (ofcourse) mastering and discharging the duties of the grade to which you want to be appointed.

Call me apthetic, but I could give two s**ts what some salty Lance has to say about my rank and the way I pick it up, simply because I have been in the s**t hole myself. I spent 24 painstaking months as a Lance Corporal, which is longer than SOME Marines spend in Lance Corporal and Corporal combined. If I could dig my way out of it, and he couldn't, that sounds to me like a personal problem. Because of my mistakes as a Lance Corporal, I've gone through my entire career, watching my friends, as well as enemies in the same rank pick up before I did. Yeah, its not fair, but if you want to be any kind of leader, you need to accept the Marine Corps and all of it's components for what they are, and not what you WANT them to be. Thats just my view on the whole "watch your collars" bit.

Anyhow...here are my stats for the most part.

- Expert rifle
- 265 PFT
- Sergeants PME completed
- Corporals Course Completed
- 20 MCIs completed
-27 College courses completed
- 21 Local Schools Completed
- 3 Certificates of Appreciation
- 1 Meritorious Mast
- 1 Certificate of Commendation
- 1 Letter of Appreciation
- 1 Good Cookie
- 100 Bonus Recruiting Points

These are just the highlights of what I'm looking at. Thank you to everyone who has given advice on these boards thus far.

[STA0311]

IF those are your stats, the thing that I would say work on is the PFT. 265 is first class, but it sure as hell isnt a good first class. The other point that I will make is the fact that YOU asked US for advice. We gave you EXPERIENCE advise, and you are getting ****y here complaining about being a 24 month Lance Corporal. MAYBE its your attitude that has prevented you from promotion.

[Marine84]

HA! You think 24 months is a long time as a LCPL - you should try ALL but 6 months of a 4 year hitch!

When I went through in 84 - I didn't have even one little black scratch in my SRB - PFTs, MCIs, the whole 9 yards - and a male LCPL (that had written hundreds of dollars in bad checks AND spent 6 months in the brig for doing it)beat me to a meritorious promotion. I couldn't even pick CPL up with time in because "there was no room". Couldn't tell you how that happened......................Did get 2 or 3 Maritorious Masts out of them but that was it.

I say get it any way you can! Mo stripes, mo money!

[Marcusthemarine]

Tushe. Maybe it is. However, my impulse and the impulse of so many Marines who fall into that rut of being stuck at one rank (particularly a lower one) is to give up and f**k everything Marine Corps. My attitude and willingness to fight that impulse is the only thing that has kept me afloat long enough to surpass that notion. My feelings are simply that there are two types of Marines in that situation. Marines who blame themselves for they're misfortune and correct the problem, and Marines who blame the Marine Corps for they're misfortune and lash out at authority. I've pretty much made a name for myself (mostly as an mean person) for not having much sympathy for the latter, as well as not accepting such behavior from myself.

I wouldn't call it getting s****y, as much as I'd call it, expressing my distaste with salty Marines who CHOSE to be salty whether than doing what the Marine Corps expected of them. That isn't to say that I condone boot sergeants with no direction in they're jobs or leadership, but it is my understanding that time, and experience won't a good Marine make, just like MCIs and PFTs won't a good Marine make. We're that the case, than the rank system would be a thing of the past. Call it what you wanna, but it is what it is. Unless you are a Sergeant or higher, a Sergeant is a Sergeant. Experience, time in grade, and promotion means are something that Marines at the Lance Corporal or even the Corporal level needn't be concerned with, no matter HOW salty you are.

Again, thank you for your comments and advice.

[STA0311]

Rank isnt ALWAYS everything either. I dont know what you MOS is, but in the 03 Field you are respected upon your proving your abilities. Case in point, when I got into the Scout Sniper Platoon, I had a junior Marine as my Team Leader...NOT because I was a bad NCO, but rather because he was already a proven operator and I wasn't. With time, that came to be my Team and due to the mutual respect we had for each other, there was no Team Leader...there was a Team in our eyes. You need to be that, a Marine that stands up for his Marines mistakes and either corrects or protects them which ever the situation may call for. Salty Marines arent better Marines, they have just seen more, and may have seen things that you dont yet understand. Good leaders are the ones who still lead even when they think no one is watching...but remember, there is ALWAYS someone watching. You are on a good path...good record (personally I think your PFT is low) but that is coming from a 295 PLATOON average that I am used to. Don't get ****ed at the Corps and especially don't get ****ed at yourself for your 24 months. It will come. I almost made it that long as a Lance myself. Stay motivated and you will find the right path...SEMPER

[Marine84]

First off pup - fill out your profile so we know who the hell we're talking to.

Some of you kids are just a little too gung ho for your own good. What kind of preconceived notion do you have of what a NCO or SNCO is responsible for?

[MetalManiac]

He seems to have a good grip on USMC reality, he will do fine.

[yellowwing]

Like everything else in the United States, its how you stack up against the competition. You got good paper reflecting performance. Your Bros got good paper reflecting performance. Each unit is sending their best. No SNCO is going to send up a dirt bag that will embarrass them.

Don't be bashful, ask your SNCOs to put your feet to the coals to prepare. They'd love the challenge as much as you.

But then that moment will come when you are standing tall before the board under fire. Your confidence, bearing and command presence will be the deciding factor.

SERGEANT MAJOR LELAND W. HATFIELD, currently BN Sgt Maj of the Third Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was previously promoted to Lance Corporal (Meritoriously) on June 2, 1982, Corporal (Meritoriously) on December 2, 1982, and Sergeant (Meritoriously) on February 2, 1984.

Now he is leading our Marines out in the wild west of the fartherest reaches of Al Anbar.

Those Meritorious Promotions Boards that he was facing were investing in him and in the future of the Marine Corps. They made a good choice.

You got to do everything you can to prepare your ass, heart and mind to be a good investment to Our Beloved Corps. You got to convince our senior leadership, that have at least 60 years combined experience, that you got the **** to pack the gear.

Don't embarrass your teammates, your Platoon Sgt, or your LT.

[Echo5November]

damn killer, 24 months as a lance corporal. Talk to grunts or MPs who have cutting scores of 1680-1700+ to pick up corporal. 24 months is a fraction what they go through. Especially the grunts. I had a friend who picked up Corporal the day the reenlisted (with an 1800 even). what MOS are you? Rank comes with time. There are great meritorious Marines out there. And yes there are s***bird salty Lance Corporals, but whats on your collar doesn't define or illuminate what kind of Marine you are at heart. If you really want that promotion, you'll quit worrying about what everyone in this forum says, and you'll reach out and take the board. Thats what we do. Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome. Go wreck the competition. Get Some Cpl. Oohrah

[6yrforMar]

Have A little Patience,Don`t worry what other people are doing.Try to get & have A 110% Attitude all of the time in every thing that you do,help your fellow Marines in your unit to do a better job.And keep yourself squared away.I always thought Motor Transport was the hardest MOS to get promoted in,it can be done.It took me 5-years to make E-5,meritoriusly.

[jinelson]

Would you measure up to your drill instructors expectations? Would they be proud and approving?

http://www.shareaphoto.info/uploads/d379b4b843.jpg (http://www.shareaphoto.info)

[Marcusthemarine]

Wow...I just got back from watching my wife deliver our third child, to find that everyone has given some simply outstanding advice. I have to first and foremost thank everyone who responded with...

[His_angel]

Yes. There is a profile page and yours is mostly blank.
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/profile.php?do=editprofile
That's the link to fill it in.

[jinelson]

http://www.shareaphoto.info/uploads/889a4092c5.jpg (http://www.shareaphoto.info)

[sgtrock1970]

In 1970 while in Vietnam, I was promoted to Sgt.after spending 14 months in the Corps. I was a 0311 and had spent my entire tour in the bush. Did I deserve the promotion? Probably not. I didn't have the experience that a stateside NCO had in Marine Corps protocall to function after I returned from Nam and this weighed heavily in my decision not to reenlist. But I did function very well,as a Marine Corps Sgt in a combat envoirement, so where do you draw line.

[iamcloudlander]

24 months in grade isn't too much as I picked up Cpl 01-67 and due to cutting scores and the need of the Marine Corps I did not get my Sgt stripes until 06-71--but--in Oct 71 I was on the SNCO list go figure

[Quinbo]

Get some fellow corporals or lance corporals from your unit to conduct a board for you after hours. You prepare the questions for all of the board members and give each of them 50 questions to ask you. They can each pick 5. You should know the answers to all of the questions. Do the same board 3 or 4 times as if you are a different candidate and relax. See if you can get a sergeant that has been up for a board to help you with some tips. Do the entire board everytime. Ask them to pick which candidate (you) won the board.

When the real deal comes up conduct youself the same way. Just like any military excercise, practice and rehearsal makes for a smooth operation.

[Quinbo]

In the 80's there was a recruiting scheme that offered a lad guaranteed corporal after 2 years if they signed up for 6. We called em contract corporals. That concept didn't last long.

[lbarroso]

I never had any luck at meritorious boards. I would do great but I always lost out to a WM. Spent 37 months as a LCPL on a 5 year stint. Picked up CPL 7 months before I got out. Field was closed for just over 2 years.

I remember people laughing when the cutting score came out for my MOS and it was in the mid 1800's. They all said ain't nobody getting promoted in that field, and I told them I had more than enough. Sucks when you max out everything and still can't get promoted. I had two roomates who got to Camp Pendleton as PFC's and they both picked up CPL before I did and I had more time in grade then they had time in service.

[Echo5November]

Ya, I heard about the contract corporals in the eighties. I was told by a Sergeant Major that the Marine Corps band actually still does this. That on their two year mark, they get promoted.

[Marcusthemarine]

The funny thing is...they actually do, in some manner of the concept. Time and service rules of meritorious promotion don't apply to the band members. I guess even in the military, musicians get the royal treatment!

[Quinbo]

The funny thing is...they actually do, in some manner of the concept. Time and service rules of meritorious promotion don't apply to the band members. I guess even in the military, musicians get the royal treatment!

I was a ground pounder so my knowlege of the band is very limited. It is my understanding that the band until very recently did not have and could not wear crossed rifles in their rank insignia (they had a harp instead), they could never be a First Sergeant, Sgt Major, or Drill instructor. There is another group of muscians in the corps who could do all of the above. The Drum and Bugle Corps.

[JAPAN DEVILDOG]

damn right, i'm a lance at this time and have been for 1 yr 4 mths. I have had Marines bypass me for promotions out the a$$, I haven't gotten promoted but anyone can tell you that i am by far a better Non NCOIC than any Marine in our MOS 3112. They respect me cause of my leadership as a Lance, my courage to keep trying hard, and for helping PFC's, LCpl's, Cpl's, and Sgt's getting promoted to their next rank. I help them with cadence, with drill, with marine corps knowledge, and with their jobs in the 3112 mos. Don't go out there thinking that you got competition, u should be telling urself that ur ur only competition, that ur the Sgt they're waiting for. Have confidence when u answer the questions, (sound off), I've trained one of my Marines for the Cpl board 1 wk ago. I told him to go into the BN room full of Higher ups' and Officers and have confidence, i told him to shut the door hard after him, Col. Simmons told him to go back and come back again. When this LCpl came back, he shut the door hard behing him again, MGySgt. Simmons asked him "What's wrong with you Marine, why u slamming my door? The LCpl answered, MGySgt, that's just the way i close doors! They don't want you to go out and come back thinking u did wrong, they don't like marines that second guess themselves cause that means that you will second guess ur marines as well as ur job and ur leadership. Go to a Meditorious Promotion and kick ass, practice ur drill with ur junior marines as much as possible to the point that u won't need the drill cards no more at the BN when u need to drill ur marines. U'll end up getting the card and either crumbling it and throwing it behind u as u start with the drill, or u'll glance at it once and eat it. That's a killer!! My marines always win!!! I'm damn proud of them, but i ain't done, my turn's next!!! you'll be talking to a future NCO!! oohrah!! Stay motivated!

[Artemis]

Japan Devildog, how bout you follow the rules and fill out a proper profile.

[SgtQuattlebaumJ]

I know im a bit late in the discussion, but I just wanted to say that I am an 0311 school and battle trained Infantry Squad leader and I am currently being placed on a Meritorious SNCO board myself. It didnt take me as long as lance to pin Cpl but it damn sure felt like it. Cpl to Sgt was even longer. I dont want to blame the promotion process on my being pin so late, because when it came down to it, I was the ultimate blame for not being aggressive on my leaders and plt cmdr on working with me for getting prepared for promotion. The fact is, no one is really responsible for looking out for you, than you! You have to look at yourself as a person and as a US Marine and figure out EXACTLY what it is you want in your career, then pursue it... SIDE NOTE- All my Grunts on this forum, check out my social group GRUNTZ and get in there. There are dedicated poolees and fellow devil pups in there that need our guidance and outlook. I cant provide it all myself... -Sgt Q :tank:

[Quinbo]

Sgt Q? I do not understand? Are there now meritorious SSgt boards in the fleet or are you currently on the drill field?

[SgtQuattlebaumJ]

Sgt Q? I do not understand? Are there now meritorious SSgt boards in the fleet or are you currently on the drill field?


No, No. Sorry I didnt clarify. I am not currently in the operating forces (Fleet), I am currently stationed at MCB Quantico and the board is by the Marine Corps Combat Development Center. Im a careerist not a first termer. -Sgt Q :tank:

[usmc0331]

damn killer, 24 months as a lance corporal. Talk to grunts or MPs who have cutting scores of 1680-1700+ to pick up corporal. 24 months is a fraction what they go through. Especially the grunts. I had a friend who picked up Corporal the day the reenlisted (with an 1800 even). what MOS are you? Rank comes with time. There are great meritorious Marines out there. And yes there are s***bird salty Lance Corporals, but whats on your collar doesn't define or illuminate what kind of Marine you are at heart. If you really want that promotion, you'll quit worrying about what everyone in this forum says, and you'll reach out and take the board. Thats what we do. Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome. Go wreck the competition. Get Some Cpl. Oohrah

yeah, I picked up cpl about 3yrs in and I had no njps etc as a grunt.

It seems now the Marines are promoting anyone for any reason. Nobody is going through the cpl or sgts course anymore(very few are)

My wifes brother has been in for 3 1/2 yrs, has done maybe one or 2 mcis and hasnt done anything else(not a **** hot marine at all). he is now about to pick up sgt--WTF(he is an airwinger) this kid has not a single ounce of leadership ability- not trying to put him down but damn!

[Quinbo]

No, No. Sorry I didnt clarify. I am not currently in the operating forces (Fleet), I am currently stationed at MCB Quantico and the board is by the Marine Corps Combat Development Center. Im a careerist not a first termer. -Sgt Q :tank:

I guess I should have clarified also.... Are there now meritorious promotion boards for selection to SSgt somewhere besides the drill field? It has been a while and I know things change. Your current knowlege would be appreciated.

[SgtQuattlebaumJ]

I guess I should have clarified also.... Are there now meritorious promotion boards for selection to SSgt somewhere besides the drill field? It has been a while and I know things change. Your current knowlege would be appreciated.



Oh, ok. Yeah man there are more meritorious promotions for almost all MOS's but really there are maybe 3-4 slots per, if that.
This also applies to the fleet as far as I know. -Sgt Q :tank:

[Zebra29er]

Tushe. Maybe it is. However, my impulse and the impulse of so many Marines who fall into that rut of being stuck at one rank (particularly a lower one) is to give up and f**k everything Marine Corps. My attitude and willingness to fight that impulse is the only thing that has kept me afloat long enough to surpass that notion. My feelings are simply that there are two types of Marines in that situation. Marines who blame themselves for they're misfortune and correct the problem, and Marines who blame the Marine Corps for they're misfortune and lash out at authority. I've pretty much made a name for myself (mostly as an mean person) for not having much sympathy for the latter, as well as not accepting such behavior from myself.

I wouldn't call it getting s****y, as much as I'd call it, expressing my distaste with salty Marines who CHOSE to be salty whether than doing what the Marine Corps expected of them. That isn't to say that I condone boot sergeants with no direction in they're jobs or leadership, but it is my understanding that time, and experience won't a good Marine make, just like MCIs and PFTs won't a good Marine make. We're that the case, than the rank system would be a thing of the past. Call it what you wanna, but it is what it is. Unless you are a Sergeant or higher, a Sergeant is a Sergeant. Experience, time in grade, and promotion means are something that Marines at the Lance Corporal or even the Corporal level needn't be concerned with, no matter HOW salty you are.

Again, thank you for your comments and advice.

Or if your not happy with (24) months in grade , then get it like I did ,( Combat Promotion ) by having the best d*mn e-5 I have ever known shot out from our patrol because the e-3 point man wasn't doing his job on a jungle patrol, and me being the TIC (time in combat ) cpl get his strips and job. I here its getting hot in the high country again. and they will always take volunteers.
:evilgrin:

[Quinbo]

Oh, ok. Yeah man there are more meritorious promotions for almost all MOS's but really there are maybe 3-4 slots per, if that.
This also applies to the fleet as far as I know. -Sgt Q :tank:


Thank you for the attempt. You have left me more confused than informed.

[Marcusthemarine]

Yeah...that one sort of confuses me too.

Good to be back after so long. As I recall, I'm the mutant that started this gawd awful thread!

Well anywho, I am now a Sergeant and no longer an administrator. I lateral moved to Satellite Communications in 2006 and...well...I've been doing that ever sense! Got my Bachelors Degree in February of this year and have aspirations to be in OCS by the begining of next.

Staff meritorious promotions for fleet Sergeants is a long running rumor that I have been unable to confirm or deny (mainly because I don't really care enough to research it). I can however say that one of the quickest (and safest) ways to a meritorious promotion is to take on a B-Billet such as recruiting. The Marine Corps Recruiting Command gets an INSANE amount of the total quotas for meritorious Staff Sergeant every year. If you really want it; thats the place to get it.

[crate78]

Any NJP's or courts martial?

I'm serious. A Captain I was working with once told me he'd recommended a particular Sergeant for Marine of the Month because the man seemed really squared away and on the ball. After the Captain had turned in the recommendation, he found out the Sergeant had been court martialed a couple of times, had other HJP's, etc.

Just because someone is outstanding today doesn't mean there aren't skeletons in his closet.

[tripledog]

Goes to show the changes. In my days , a meritorious promotion was meant as a reward for being an excellent and outstanding Marine. You didnt take any tests, anything like that. If your Commanding Officer put you up for it, it most always was granted. However, In my 5 years in service, I only saw 3. They just didnt give em out like it seems they do now, according to the posts. Seems like some of the post protray it to be a test to see who can score the highest score.
Guess I will quit bragging about me getting one. I actually thought it was special.

[charm1110]

Me, I wasn't too concerned with picking up rank too quickly to begin with it really does take a while for most of us to really develop leadership skills to the point that we are able to lead a squad of Marines in real life, I mean doing all the right things on paper is one thing but being an effective small unit leader involves incredible maturity and bearing, in my time 2 yr contract Cpls. coming off of sea duty were a real problem they knew exactly where to put their ribbons and prepare for inspections but had no idea on how to call for fire, set up a proper defensive position using the terrain to their advantage, read a map while leading a patrol, etc. etc. etc....It was a pain in the a** having to teach them as NCO's they should be up to speed for their MOS period. Meritorious boards are a great test of one's bearing and command presence in a stressful situation but should be reserved for Marines that have the experience as well as a fair amt. of time in grade/service to warrant the award.

Yes I did recieve a meritorious promotion to Lcpl that was given based on a specific action, I blew a meritorious board promotion for Cpl. out my a** because I was young and impatient. eventually I did get Cpl.

I did however hold billets of squad ldr. and section ldr. in my wpns. plt. from the time I was a PFC and I Led United States Marines by example! 18 min. run times don't mean sh*t if your Marines wont respond to your direction. Your team is a direct and highly visible reflection of who you are as a leader.

This is the end of my little tangent.

Semper Fi...:flag:

[Marcusthemarine]

In my opinion, meritorious promotion criteria give too much weight to the tangible qualities of a Marine (i.e. PFT score, MCI completion and the accidental variable that is the Marine Corps proficiency and conduct system), while not giving enough weight to the intangible qualities that make a Marine a leader such as MOS credibility, leadership of peers and subordinate and mission accomplishment. Obviously the Marine Corps will NEVER find an equation that ALWAYS equals out to a Marine who will be successful at the next higher grade. However, if I had to choose between a Marine that succeeded in category one (PFT, MCI, PROS CONS), and a Marine that succeded in categoy two (LEADERSHIP, MOS CREDIBILITY, MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT), the Marine who I would whether promote into a level fo responsbility would be Marine who succeeded in category two (and the occassional motivator who succeeded in both categories).

Truth be told, Corporals have plenty of time and resources available to work on the issues in category one. I call the pros and cons system of the Marine Corps an 'accidental variable' because it is intended to be a rigid, non objective system, but ultimately ends up being a product of who ever your leader happens to be at the time. You would be hard pressed to find two NCOs that reccomend the same pros and cons (independantly of one another) for the same work performance from a Marine for the same reason. Fix actions that could make the process more consistent (such as requiring Lance Corporal to do Counseling for Marines prior to picking up Corporal or instituting an indoctrination course indepenent from Corporals Course for new NCOs ala Navy) are not instituted or are poorly enforced.

However those intangible details into a person's character that make up their aptitute for leadership difficult to come by and are hardly represented by a Marine's PFT score or MCI completion (especially with all of the gratuitious cheating STILL going on in that realm). Thus a Marine possessing the greatest amount of influence on his subordinates and peer group, who always accomplishes the mission regardless to his familiarity to the subject, and who is enthusiastic and selfless, may find himself disqualified from a meritorious board because his pros and cons are 4.4/4.5 instead of 4.5/4.5?

The easy way out is to throw up your hands and say "his leadership failed him". The RIGHT thing to do, is to create a system that doesn't claim to be inline with the needs of the Marine Corps but instead serves some cookie cutter description of what it means to be a "good" Marine.

[Petz]

bulk... if it hasn't been explained... YES there are SSgt mertorious boards as well as Gunny, MSgt and maybe MGySgt boards... but these will only be seen by the top of the top who get passed over for crap reasons. I've only seen a SSgt and GySgt board, but have heard of MSgt boards... never heard of someone getting MGySgt though....

doesn't matter, I can confirm the SSgt boards.

[AdminAssassin]

My cutting score for Cpl is around 1730 I think and my composite score is hovering around 1500 at the moment. I know it will take time for me to make Cpl and I'm fine with that because I want to be ready to lead when I make rank. I pay alot of attention to the way my NCO/SNCO's operate when I'm working so I can go by their examples when I'm the one in front of the formation one day. That's my take on the subject.

[joseywales]

A 2009 thread

[ramayn2430]

On Okinawa I went to meet my staff sergeant at his BEQ to catch a liberty hop to Clark Air Base. MAC of course required Charlie uniform. I quickly put my bag together, threw my uniform on without squaring away, and out the door I went, (with visions of Phillipina sugar plums dancing in my head). I knocked on his door, he answered it, and who's sitting there but my first sergeant. "You look like a piece of ****e," he said. "YOU think this guy should be meritoriously promoted?" Down the tube. I didn't even know I was up for meritorious. I caught hell for that one from him. Embarassed him and me. All the way to PI. I eventually got it-because my cut score was so low for my MOS, but it would have been nice knowing I got it for the outstanding job I was doing instead of because my MOS was critical.

Stay squared away ALL the time. You never know who you're going to run into. AND stay sober. Just most of the time. When you need to.