Ok I have two questions about correct board procedures. First is reporting. What is the correct way to report? From what I know, its "Sergeant Major, SPC Joe reports". But some of my peers says its "Sergeant Major, SPC Joe reports to the president of the board" or "SPC Joe reporting to the board". Is there a regulation that states the exact way to report? My other question is sitting down. People say you sit at the position of attention. But sitting at the position of attention means heels together, but I read somewhere that you leave space between both feet. Is there anything that governs this thing? I'm really concern about the reporting part, so any confirmation would be appreciated, thanks.

I know when i went to the board last month I reported "SPC Joe reporting to the President of the Board as directed". But that was just me I heard the guy before say something else. Talk to some other people that have went to the board recently and ask them for some advice. Also whatever you decide to say practice it in front of the mirror a couple of times to get it second nature. If you have to do a bio also practice that in front of the mirror because you don't want to be thinking about ok when did i do this and when did i do that in the board. Also practice your facing movements and I know where our board was the carpet was really hard to turn on so go by there and practice a couple of times. You don't want to get in there and do an about face and you only get 3/4 the way around. Good luck.


"Garrison life sucks. Put me back in the game coach."

Hey cYnic, when I attended my board for SGT, here's what I did...

Knock loudly on the door and wait for the order to enter.
Open the door, step through and close the door
Then walk directly to the reporting position, centered on the CSM(or board president), approx 3 steps in front of the front edge of table or desk.
Stop at the position of attention, facing the board president
Present Arms
"Sergeant Major(or their rank), SPC John Doe reporting to the President of the Board as ordered."
wait for him/her to drop their salute before you move to drop yours, and remain at the position of attention..
After this, they may have you do some facing movements so they can see your uniform or whatever..
They will eventually tell you that you can be seated, remember where your seat is in orientation to where you may be standing, turn into the appropriate direction and go directly to in front of your seat, about 1 step in front of..
Take a half-step back starting with your left foot, Look over your right shoulder and take a seat
When seated your back should be straight, shoulders squared, head held high and looking forward, hands resting on your legs with fingers straight, and your feet should be about 1 foot apart, flat on the ground.

from there they will probably ask you about yourself, IE: tell your bio/opening statement, then go into the questioning.
When stating your bio you should be relaxed as possible, and take the time to make eye contact(or at least look at their forehead or nose) of each of the board members and president during the statement. When a board member asks you a question, turn your head to address them personally, but always speak with a confident volume of voice so everyone can hear you clearly.

I hope this helps, cYnic... Also, I'd ask the NCO's in your unit for some pointers and help. Do a few practice runs, till you got it down. take care and good luck

quote:

Originally posted by cYnic:
Is there a regulation that states the exact way to report?

I'll research the a regulation shortly, but I've seen (and have done it) a few different ways and they will not deduct points for either way. It's simply your oral expression.

This is straigh from ArmyStudyGuide's study guide:
"Sergeant Major, Specialist (Smith) reports."

Reporting is covered in FM 3-21.5, but only when reporting to officers. I have never seen it covered anywhere else. Simply modify it and instead of saying Sir, say Sergeant Major. So it should sound like this: "Sergeant Major, SPC Smith reports." I used this reporting procedure at every board I went to over an 18 month period (12 boards total), so it works.

The only way I have reported is "Sergeant Major, Spc Smith Reports to the president of the Board" that is the only way I have done it and have been told to do it all my military career.

Hah, well thank you for all of your input, but now you know what I mean about correct board procedures since almost everybody does it differently. I've looked almost everywhere and there doesn't seem to be a regulation that governs it. But there was a time when I went to the board the the president said "Make sure you guys do everything correct, everything by regulation from reporting to sitting down." Now I wouldn't say that he didn't know what he was talking about, but I know for a fact that he is looking for us to do something correctly. To me it's just weird for everyone to report to the president differently and even have some points knocked off for doing something incorrect. Well if there are any other inputs I would still appreciate it. As for me, I've been to the division SOQ board and I'm about to go one level higher and I've always did, "SGM, Specialist Joe reports"

If it's worked this long, roll with what you have.

"Sergeant Major,SGT Casillas reporting to the board as directed."

If you read your study manuals that they sell at your clothing and sales, they all say that it's "Sir/Ma'am or SGM" Spc snuffy reports. When I went to a NCO of the month board Post level. That was how you reported, there were 3 people that got kicked out for not reporting that way. NOW that being said I took a soldier to the board 2 months ago as a sponser and when he reported like that The SGM told him that he had to report to the president of the board. So I would also like to know what Regulation says the correct reporting procedures. But until I can find it, I now ask the president before I send my Soldiers in how they want it to be done.

If you're reporting to the same board, and you know how they want it (e.g., report to the president of the board), then go with that.

Honestly, it makes little difference. The board members want to see your confidence, they want to see if you stammer when under pressure, if you are fidgiting while you're sitting at the position of attention (regardless of whether your feet are together or slightly apart), etc.

Just go, have fun, exude confidence, and you'll do fine. It also helps to study beforehand, but you already knew that.

quote:

Originally posted by bruno.casillasrodriguez:
"Sergeant Major,SGT Casillas reporting to the board as directed."

Some like the "as directed" but I've been told by those winning lots and lots of boards that it's unneeded.