If you just got promoted to SPC, then you have got a little while before you can actually get promoted to SGT. In the meantime, you need to start working on different things to get promotion points. So far, you have a passing APFT and a passing weapons qualification. Great! Not you have got to continue to do that because those scores will probably expire before you go to the board for SGT. These scores are only good for 1 year.
If you are like the typical soldier getting promoted to SPC, you have been in the Army for around 2 years. This is your time in service (TIS). You have also probably been a PFC for about 6 months. This is called your time in grade (TIG).
To be eligible for promotion to SGT (E5) you need:
- 3 years TIS
- 8 months TIG
- Passing APFT
- Passing Weapons Qualification
- Meeting height/weight requirements
These are your standard requirements for a promotion in the Army in general (with differing TIG and TIS requirements per rank).
*If you are really high-speed, the TIS is 18 months and TIG is 4 months.
My Advice to You
Do NOT wait until you reach your TIS and/or TIG to start working on gaining promotion points. In fact, you should be working on them from the day you joined the Army if you have a good NCO who is trying to help you progress in your career. Start researching everything you can about getting promotion points. If you found this blog, your on the right track. Check out Army Promotion Points – A Comprehensive Guide to get you started. Work on gaining promotion points during any down time you have, and always volunteer for classes or training offered. While you are waiting for your time requirements – stay on your NCO about getting you into WLC!
Here’s a checklist of goals to keep you on track:
- Start an “I Love Me” book
- Make out APFT
- Score a 40/40
- Go to WLC, and kill it!
- Complete courses on ALMS, Skillport, JKO, and any other place you can find correspondence courses.
- Go to college, or at least get your Army transcripts turned into college credits.
- Update your promotion points with S1 every time you gain a significant amount of points.
If you have any questions, you can always email me at Harvison[at]ezarmypoints[dot]com.