Thanks for the input on my last (actually, my first) post. Another concern of mine is what to do when you cannot recall the right answer to a question. Does knowing the right regulation or field manual still earn you some credit at the board? At my last practice board, I gave the 1SG the regulation pertaining to the answer he was looking for, and he came back with an, "I know where it is. But do you know what it says?" Was he just trying to test my confidence by saying that, or do boards really not want to hear the regulations in lieu of the right answer?

I'm a 46Q assigned to West Point, where the officer-to-enlisted personnel numbers are totally flipped, so I'm not sure how the "conventional" promotion board operates in big orgs like 10th MTN or 82nd ABN. Right, the most important thing you want to do is keep your bearing and confidence at a board, but I'm just a little unsure - and deep down, scared s***less - about what's expected of me. They said I did pretty good at my practice board, so I dunno.

Again, answers to this and other bits of insight are greatly appreciated.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: InErniePsShadow,

I would say of course it's a good alternative. It's better than saying "I don't know."

He may have been trying to get your confidence down or just being an asshole but bottom line - no one remembers EVERYTHING. Hell, I just put my Class As together last week and had to look something up in the reg just to be sure, and I've been in almost 8 years.

No one is perfect, and most board members understand that. Obviously you don't want to answer that way every time, but I think it's always better than nothing.

I don't claim to be an expert but I have always done well at boards and have been told afterward why... So here is my nickels worth.

Of course study helps. You probably will not get every answer right and that's okay. I find it's how you present yourself and how you are read by the board members. I feel the key is to always sit up right and hands on your lap, always make eye contact with the person asking the question and respond to that person looking at only that person. DO NOT look up or around trying to remember the answer. If you struggle to remember an answer and feel it coming to you ask them to repeat the question to give you a chance to think, but do not waste to much time. If you do not know the answer DO NOT guess or make something up. Telll them you do not know the answer at this time. When you answer a question always form your answer to include the question. For example, "SPC Soandso, what color is the sky?" Don't just say blue. Say something like, "1SG Strikehard, the color of the sky is blue." There is a lot of subconscience things that happen in the board members mind as you are being evaluated. Knowledge is good but if you can project leadership by your mere presence and demeanor this goes a long way in the eye of the "grader" and shows that even though you may not know the answer you will be able to easily learn it or of the qualities to make good leader tyep decisions. I hope this makes sense. I am sure you have heard a lot of this before, but trust me it is important.

quote:

Originally posted by Fuscotopia:
I'm a 46Q assigned to West Point, where the officer-to-enlisted personnel numbers are totally flipped, so I'm not sure how the "conventional" promotion board operates in big orgs like 10th Mtn or 82nd Abn. Right, the most important thing you want to do is keep your bearing and confidence at a board, but I'm just a little unsure - and deep down, scared s***less - about what's expected of me. They said I did pretty good at my practice board, so I dunno.

Again, answers to this and other bits of insight are greatly appreciated.

Yes, West Point can be a very difficult place to be if you are enlisted. My unit has the majority of the enlisted personnel on West Point who are not assigned to the Corps as TAC NCOs. Well done on your board appearance. Drop by BLDG 685 some time to say hello.