The Impact of Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course Attendance on Promotion Timing
Abstract
World events and current promotion policies have created conditions where many noncommissioned officers (NCOs) cannot attend NCO education system (NCOES) courses at the desired points in their careers. The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command requested ARI to investigate whether on-time attendance at NCOES courses impacts the promotion and retention of NCOs. In this research, the timing of basic NCO course (BNCOC) completion was analyzed on two outcome measures: the duration of enlistment after completion of BNCOC, and the timing of promotion to Sergeant First Class (SFC). Overall, the timing of BNCOC completion was related to longer delays in promotion to SFC, but not to the probability of being promoted to SFC. More importantly, the relation between BNCOC completion and promotion timing changed as the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) progressed. The relation was weakest during periods of highest NCO demand in GWOT, but the relation has strengthened in recent years. These changes corresponded with changes in NCO promotion policy that occurred during GWOT. In short, delays in NCOES attendance had an impact on SFC promotion when NCOES was stressed in the promotion policies, and NCOES delays had little impact on promotion when NCOES attendance was not stressed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA496204
Entities
People
- Amanda M. Thomas
- David R. James
- Martin L. Bink
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences