HOW TO LEAD A SUCCESSFUL PROMOTION BOARD Cadet Master Sergeant Lytton

LESSON OBJECTIVES PRACTICE how to enter and exit a promotion board correctly RECOGNIZE whom the president of the board is DEMONSTRATE the proper way of reporting in/out during a promotion board IDENTIFY the materials needed to attend a promotion board SEEK the qualifications and requirements necessary for attending a promotion board KNOW the acceptance process to a promotion board

RECOGNIZE: Who the President of the Board Is Command Sergeant Major! Regardless if he is sitting in on your promotion board or not, you report in saying “Cadet (rank) reporting into the President of the Board.” You also address your letter to the Command Sergeant Major when referencing the President of the Board.

KNOW: The Acceptance Process To A Promotion Board TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND THE PROMOTION BOARD, YOU MUST RECEIVE AN ACCEPTANCE NOTE FROM THE CSM AFTER BEING RECOMMENDED BY YOUR SUPERIORS THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND (SL, PSG, AND 1SG) WITH THE ACCEPTANCE NOTE, YOU MAY THEN RECEIVE A TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR YOUR CADET RECORDS. THIS CAN BE USED AS A RUBRIC ALMOST, TO MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE ALL THE NECESSARY ITEMS IN YOUR CADET RECORDS. CADET RECORDS ARE TO BE KEPT AT HOME AND ARE DUE THE DAY OF THE BOARD IF ACCEPTED. THE RECORDS SHOULD BE REVISED AND EDITED CONSTANTLY.

SEEK: The Qualifications and Requirements Necessary For Attending a Promotion Board STUDENT FIRST, CADET SECOND! Your grades in core classes should be up the the battalion standard or showing significant improvement. YOUR BEST ABILITY IS YOUR AVAILABILITY! How involved in the program are you? Are you doing your share to improve your class, squad, platoon, or company? 90 MINUTE CADETS do not go out of their way to benefit the program. Promotion comes with improvement, not seniority. PREPARATION: Your cadet portfolio and cadet promotion records should be up to date and well put together, you are selling yourself to the president of the board and showing them that you deserve the position or rank you desire. Once eligible (whether needing approval from instructor or not) you should study on JROTC knowledge, your position, and current events. ACCEPTANCE NOTE, CADET RECORDS, AND PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND AS WELL!

IDENTIFY: The Materials Needed To Attend a Promotion Board CADET PORTFOLIO: Should be neat, well organized, and up to date with your instructor's standards. (NEW) CADET PROMOTION RECORDS (NO MORE LETTER TO THE BOARD): A tangible copy (a neat and labeled folder, small binder, etc.) of the cadets standings in the program. This should include achievements made by the cadet in previous and current years, strong suits and weaknesses, goals for the rank obtained, new ideas presented for the rank desired, updated grades for the quarter/semester, GPA, disciplinary issues, plans for solutions, squad/platoon/1SG board recommendation. 3. SOMETHING TO WRITE WITH/ON

The Proper Way of Reporting In/Out During a Promotion Board DEMONSTRATE: The Proper Way of Reporting In/Out During a Promotion Board IN: “First Sergeant, Cadet Master Sergeant Lytton reporting into the president of the board, First Sergeant.” OUT: “First Sergeant, Cadet Master Sergeant Lytton reporting of the board, First Sergeant.” State who you are reporting into Rank and name State who you are reporting into/out to again

PRACTICE: How to Enter and Exit a Promotion Board Correctly While waiting outside of the Colonel’s room, or any room you enter for the promotion board, the cadets should stand in squads ordered by highest to lowest rank. (Highest rank attending the board first) Have cadets demonstrate how to enter and exit using staff room door. Cadet stands in staff room, knocks three times. Cadet acting as President of the Board tells cadet to enter. March into the seat provided, report in, and take seat ONLY when asked. March out once finished and reported out. Wait 30-45 seconds before second cadet enters.

PROMOTION BOARD TIPS! Print multiple copies of your letter and cadet standings (3+) in preparation for the board. This way, the President and whomever may be in on your board does not have to share one copy. This method is good for all interviews that you may attend. Multiple copies also reassures an extra in case one gets lost. 2. Study the general JROTC knowledge packet provided to your LET level class. The questions asked during drill and uniform inspection are key to know. (Class managers: incorporate the packet questions into class time) 3. KNOW CURRENT EVENTS! Watching CNN student news or checking CNN.com every once in awhile will keep you up to date on the latest events. You will be questioned on them. 4. Have your cadet records up to date and organized, full of information!

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/CONCERNS? PROMOTION BOARD FAQ QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/CONCERNS? WHERE: Colonel’s room UNIFORM: Class A/B depending on time of year (You will be inspected during the board) PRESIDENT: CSM PFC now will attend the promotion boards to become corporal and above, ONLY WITH RECOMMENDATION FROM COMPANY LEADERSHIP WILL THEY BE ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND! (Must be a PFC for one full quarter) Take advantage of the promotion board opportunities; They will prepare you for the real world! Do your best at every and all of the future promotion boards/interviews you attend. The boards will prepare you for job interviews and important presentations coming up in school or work as well as improve your communication skills.