Help improve my mood! I'M ANGRY!!!! WANT TO SMASH!!!!!!

[Wickeddeuce]

So, I am in a bit of an epic mood right now. I AM SO FREAKING ...... OFF RIGHT NOW ITS NOT EVEN FUNNY!!! Mid November I found out that a promotion from 2 years ago was supposed to come my way and be back dated... super freaking sweet!!! Well it was 2 years ago pretty complicated... I was constantly reassured that it would happen it would just have to have a b c happen for it to happen...

a b c turned into a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p... well it ends up getting to lets say n, and then the guy whos been doing it decides he would rather have the division that would be responsible do it... oh yeah and pretty much start over at a...

well finally word has come back, but its not over yet... apparently in all of this, no one saw the thing saying that its gotta happen within 12 months... so f me right... well

they are working on a memo to a big head honcho... i mean we are talking one of the top 10 people in the US Army... to request an exception to policy for all of this... odds are like 1 out of 1000 he says yes... a .1 percent... not likely at all...

the only remotely good news is the excess money i have been receiving due to an error in the system associated with the promotion that should have been but never was... that money that i would technically owe the army... we are talking approximately 3 or 4k... is not going to be owed if i do not get promoted.. yay no promotion, which has pretty much been guaranteed to me but you arent going to take any money... awesome... @#$%^&*()_@#$R^&*()_#$%^&*()_#$%^&*()_#$%^&*()_@#$%^&*()_+


so i could use a bit of cheering up as this amazing thing, my goal, my dream, i have wanted to be a NCO since i came in the army... so when it was presented to me, and i just had to wait on it... well... im ......, im in a bad mood, not really depressed, i will probably end up getting a little sad at some point, but i am thoroughly ...... because i did not get this because other people screwed up...

oh yeah... and my check is about to decrease by approximately 300 a month...
@#$*()_$%^&*()_$%@#$%^&*(#$%^&*$%^&*(%^&*(*((&^$%^&*%$%^&**^&*



Please, no it could be worse, or compare... I understand it could be worse... I could owe approximately 3 grand as well. Things could be worse... please do not use this to try and cheer me up... not trying to be sour... just... ARGH

 

[bushmaster]

You still got your health.

 

[GreatestUnKnown]

I cant relate. I am sorry but to be blunt I didn't bust my ... to get promoted, meaning I had a skewed view of the promotion system.

I remember seeing that you are a US Army Soilder, my experience is only from the time I spent in the Marine Corps. and I know there are similarities but also vast differences.

I was a POG and a damn good one. I worked in aviation maintenance and loved every minute of it. In my 5 years of AD I only reached E4. When I say that my perception of the promotion system was skewed I mean that coming from the civilian world you were promoted on your ability to handle responsibility and perform your job. When I transitioned into the military I was unable to grasp the concept of "the big picture" or being well rounded. Instead I focused on the "job" aspect of performance. My work ethic and knowledge base was recognized and rewarded by my command but not in the means of pay raise or rank. It was not until I was about to deploy that I began to take the "big picture" into account and focus on the other attributes to being recognized or rewarded by a promotion.

I am by no means trying to say that this is what you are experiencing. I only intend to tell you my story.

After reading your story there is one thing that I know you will relate to and understand. TALK TO YOUR COMMAND (not yelling, that's an NCO's stern voice). If there are issues with promotions or issues in general, that is what the command is there for. I am not saying jump the chain or run to a SNCO and ".....," find an invested leader that will handle this issue and if it is out of their control who can assist you in finding the next leader who can.

 

[Hypatia]

So, so sad and angry for you, man. First off, a huge thank you and hand shake for your service. No matter what your rank, BS passed-over/missed promotion doesn't matter--you're still a hero in our hearts. Especially for my 4 year old, who loves superheroes. My older boys always remind him that our military men and women are the REAL heroes.

 

[GreatestUnKnown]

On a happier note, when I had issues with work or my marriage I used to drive off into the desert with a box of ammo and my trusty sidearm and destroy some paper...

If no firearms are to be had then perhaps some gym time or find a batting cage...

Stay strong and make good choices.

 

[Wickeddeuce]

So, so sad and angry for you, man. First off, a huge thank you and hand shake for your service. No matter what your rank, BS passed-over/missed promotion doesn't matter--you're still a hero in our hearts. Especially for my 4 year old, who loves superheroes. My older boys always remind him that our military men and women are the REAL heroes.

Thank you... that does help a bit... which is why i came here... nothing extravagant, just people...

and... Greatest, I am kinda similar to you, never really embraced the total soldier mentality... i have semi... but i have been a fan of doing things smart, simple, efficient... logic is my friend and i get disgruntled when doing dumb stuff...

this whole thing is way, way, way out of their hands... was not kidding when in order for me to get promoted one of the highest ranking individuals in the Army, most likely a 4 star general, will need to sign the exception to policy... other than that... i am probably sol... and the promotion is pretty much the only way i can re enlist to serve more time... there is another option i am bout to begin pursuing... and am going to try to work towards

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

When I was in it was a matter of points and going to the board, finish PLDC and your pretty much pinning on <<< the stripes. At the time the points needed for promotion would fluctuate so you never knew when you would have enough, so you kept doing whatever to get more.

Take it from an old Cav Scout, get some education that relates to the real world while your in, I've yet to find a company that looks for "great at land nav and can accurately fire a crew served weapon all while drinking coffee under heavy fire".

Good times, you will tell stories about this some time down the road, trust me.

 

[Wickeddeuce]

sorry if i seemed a bit demanding, or anything like that... i just cant believe the answer i got... a different answer, something that wouldnt have been because someone else messed your s.o.l. especially after talking with a few people talking about how its solid, i should have been promoted then and its just a matter of happening... many many many people building me up... should have stayed grounded...

so sorry if i seemed a bit demanding...

i just enjoy the points some of you guys have to share...

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

There a couple things to keep in mind when your "in"; getting out and making it isn't as hard as some of your brothers and sisters in arms might like you to believe, unless you pull a oops and get something other than an honorable discharge.

Know yourself and always effect self improvement. In or out this will take you much farther than anything else.

The army always said "know yourself and seek self improvement" I don't think "seek" is good enough, you have to make it happen, so I use "effect".

Many times people find that reliance on others is a recipe for being let down, this isn't always the case but when the people you lean on aren't the stable character you thought they were you end up falling over. Moral of this is, take great care in who you lean on, know what they are capable of and know when they are blowing smoke.

In your case, someone told you they would get you promoted; that's great ... except ... you get you promoted on your merits, skills, efforts, drive, tenasity, and let's be honest ... a little bit of luck.

I always told my guys,"If you want something you need to know what it takes to get there, then start knocking out each step". I had guys that were terrified of the board, we worked on that by bettering their knowledge of the e grade they were looking to achieve and I showed them that there wasn't a question that could be asked that could trip up my guys. That helped build confidence, and eliminate fear of being unable to perform in front of the higher NCOs seated at the board.

Getting a promotion is great, but it takes a boat load of dedication to the task of improving yourself to the point where you can without a doubt do the job, and more importantly meet the requirements.

Best of luck.
Maurice

P.S.: Some of my guys called me SGT Satan, I'm not sure why, I was always a really nice guy

 

[Wickeddeuce]

There a couple things to keep in mind when your "in"; getting out and making it isn't as hard as some of your brothers and sisters in arms might like you to believe, unless you pull a oops and get something other than an honorable discharge.

Know yourself and always effect self improvement. In or out this will take you much farther than anything else.

The army always said "know yourself and seek self improvement" I don't think "seek" is good enough, you have to make it happen, so I use "effect".

Many times people find that reliance on others is a recipe for being let down, this isn't always the case but when the people you lean on aren't the stable character you thought they were you end up falling over. Moral of this is, take great care in who you lean on, know what they are capable of and know when they are blowing smoke.

In your case, someone told you they would get you promoted; that's great ... except ... you get you promoted on your merits, skills, efforts, drive, tenasity, and let's be honest ... a little bit of luck.

I always told my guys,"If you want something you need to know what it takes to get there, then start knocking out each step". I had guys that were terrified of the board, we worked on that by bettering their knowledge of the e grade they were looking to achieve and I showed them that there wasn't a question that could be asked that could trip up my guys. That helped build confidence, and eliminate fear of being unable to perform in front of the higher NCOs seated at the board.

Getting a promotion is great, but it takes a boat load of dedication to the task of improving yourself to the point where you can without a doubt do the job, and more importantly meet the requirements.

Best of luck.
Maurice

P.S.: Some of my guys called me SGT Satan, I'm not sure why, I was always a really nice guy

So, I am not trying to flip... but I am not talking about something simple here. I will give you the story, the full story. December 2011 I get flagged for an open court case. February 2012 I come down on the by name list, I inquire and am informed it is a thorough mistake, same for March and April. I realize I should not have even been still listed as promotable at this point, however due to someone f'ing up I did, which also means someones f up is supposed to be my gain. I let myself believe it was just not my luck... oh well... sucks to be me.

Because people really did F up big time, November 2013 it comes up, I am supposed to be backdated to Feb...

This is not something I can handle, this is not something I can impact. I did and continued to do everything within the limits of what I can do.

So harping the make it happen, in a lot of instances is legit and true, but it is not always something that can be dealt with by the individual. There is jack that I can do, that I have not already, especially when I am not fully supported by those above me.

There is more to the story of me and my command but that is irrelevant to this.

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

If you didn't actually meet the qualifications I fail to see exactly why you expected to benefit from a clerical error.

Clerical errors happen, and they are usually found and corrected.

I know you had your hopes up, but you still need to earn the promotion.

Maurice

 

[Wickeddeuce]

I actually did meet the qualifications, I was flagged for an open court case, that is the only thing that was against me. I should not have that is the only error that the flag was not processed properly, problem is; and I have this on the authority of my Battalion Commander who I thoroughly trust considering that he is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to just about anything Army related; that this kind of error is something that does not get corrected. Had I been flagged for my court case and been found guilty, instead of my court case being dismissed that would be a different story but my court case was dismissed. None of this is relevant to the thread.

I did not ask for your opinions on my situation. Which you have taken upon yourself to give me twice now. I did not come here for opinions. I am sure you know what opinions are like, and yours stinks, a lot.

Earn the promotion, that is classic, talk about something you know nothing about. I am not saying that you know nothing about earning the promotion but you don't know me, at all, in the slightest. So stick to topics you can legitimately comment on instead of what you are doing now. You literally know nothing about me and are judging me on a preconceived notion. Something I am quite familiar with and have publicly proven Senior Non Commissioned Officers wrong on multiple times. I have been judged on my open court case, and at times still am today. I however refuse to sit back and let people judge me on actions I was ACCUSED of, not found guilty of. Something that was dismissed from court.

I will not hesitate to prove the error in peoples ways and provide the correction. There is no GOMAR for me, there is no court record, there is nothing. I beat what was brought against me and have proven myself innocent. The only reason I did not get promoted when I had earned my promotion was that I was ACCUSED of something.

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

Flags are lifted all the time, you need to meet the requirements of whatever situation you were flagged for in order for that to happen.

As long as that flag remains in your record as active, yep your screwed.

They can stop you from taking leave, passes, promotions, retirement, just about anything considered a favorable action.

Call or write your congressman, it helps sometimes. Or get an attorney if you feel the flag is not just.

I'll tell you the same as I've told others,"Do what you can afford".

Maurice

 

[Wickeddeuce]

Flags are lifted all the time, you need to meet the requirements of whatever situation you were flagged for in order for that to happen.

As long as that flag remains in your record as active, yep your screwed.

They can stop you from taking leave, passes, promotions, retirement, just about anything considered a favorable action.

Call or write your congressman, it helps sometimes. Or get an attorney if you feel the flag is not just.

I'll tell you the same as I've told others,"Do what you can afford".

Maurice

Obviously you arent getting it... you really are not getting it. I am not flagged... key word in the last thing I said is WAS flagged.

I am no longer flagged I have not been. Seriously just do not reply, please, just stop, I mean it, you at no point have been remotely helpful, you have primarily been a royal pain.

At no point did I ever ask for help with the Army. I asked for someone to try and cheer me up, not try and help me with my situation. I am aware of how to deal with it, and what needs to be done is being done. Just stop, leave the Army out of it, I was asking for personal help not professional.

 

[Decidion]

Pumpkins, watermelons and a baseball bat. They are a bit pricey this time of year, but the bat will save you over ammo, unless you get that for free at your range. It always helps to work out aggression on fruits and vegetables!

 

[Wickeddeuce]

Pumpkins, watermelons and a baseball bat. They are a bit pricey this time of year, but the bat will save you over ammo, unless you get that for free at your range. It always helps to work out aggression on fruits and vegetables!

I really like this idea... a lot...

 

[Decidion]

Some pics from the last time our pumpkins gave us some lip... as well as what happens to an uncooperative grape tomato...