Soldier of the Month Board Preparation
Prepare for your Soldier of the Month board with these comprehensive study materials and practice questions.
📋 Common Board Questions
Q: What are the Army Values?
A: LDRSHIP - Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage
Q: What is the Army's mission?
A: To deploy, fight, and win our nation's wars by providing ready, prompt, and sustained land dominance across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.
Q: What are the three types of counseling?
A: Event, Performance, and Professional Growth counseling.
Q: What is the purpose of an NCOER?
A: To provide a fair, accurate, and complete evaluation of a Soldier's performance and potential.
Q: What is the Army's current uniform?
A: The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP).
🎯 Board Appearance Tips
- Uniform: Ensure your uniform is pressed, clean, and properly fitted
- Grooming: Hair cut, shaved, and within regulation standards
- Posture: Stand at attention, maintain eye contact, speak clearly
- Confidence: Project confidence through your voice and body language
- Knowledge: Know your job, current events, and Army regulations
- Preparation: Practice answering questions out loud
- Documents: Have all required documents organized and ready
- Timing: Arrive 15 minutes early to the board location
📺 Board Preparation Video Resource
Watch this helpful video to enhance your board preparation knowledge and skills.
Video Credit: This board preparation guide was created by Roger Sarnt. We thank Roger Sarnt for his valuable contribution to military education and leadership development. This video is embedded with permission and proper attribution.
Disclaimer: This video is provided for educational purposes as part of Apex Warrior Academy's board preparation resources. The content and opinions expressed in the video are those of the original creator, Roger Sarnt, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Army or Apex Warrior Academy.
📚 Army Study Guide
Army Leadership
Leadership Principles:
- Know yourself and seek self-improvement
- Be technically and tactically proficient
- Develop a sense of responsibility among subordinates
- Make sound and timely decisions
- Set the example
- Know your people and look out for their welfare
- Keep your people informed
- Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished
- Train your people as a team
- Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities
Current Events & Military Knowledge
Stay Informed About:
- Current military operations and deployments
- Recent changes in Army regulations and policies
- Military technology and equipment updates
- International relations and conflicts
- Department of Defense initiatives
- Army modernization efforts
- Military awards and recognition programs
- Training and readiness initiatives
Military Customs & Courtesies
Essential Knowledge:
- Proper rendering of hand salutes
- Flag etiquette and protocols
- Military time and date formats
- Proper addressing of officers and NCOs
- Military bearing and appearance
- Chain of command protocols
- Military ceremonies and traditions
- Proper wear of military awards and decorations
📋 NCOER & Counseling Resources
NCOER Components
Part I - Administrative Data:
- Rated Soldier's information
- Rating period
- Duty position and MOS
- Organization and location
Part II - Authentication:
- Rated Soldier's signature
- Reviewer's signature
- Senior Rater's signature
Part III - Duty Description:
- Principle duties and responsibilities
- Organizational relationships
- Supervisory responsibilities
Part IV - Values/NCO Responsibilities:
- Army Values assessment
- NCO responsibilities evaluation
- Overall potential assessment
Part V - Performance and Potential:
- Performance evaluation
- Potential evaluation
- Senior Rater comments
Counseling Types & Techniques
Event Counseling:
Conducted when a specific event occurs that requires immediate attention or guidance.
Performance Counseling:
Regular feedback on job performance, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Professional Growth Counseling:
Long-term career planning and development discussions.
Counseling Techniques:
- Use the BE, KNOW, DO leadership model
- Set clear, measurable goals
- Provide specific examples and feedback
- Document all counseling sessions
- Follow up on action items
- Maintain a professional, constructive tone
🎯 Interactive Practice
Test your knowledge with these practice scenarios and questions.
Board Scenario Practice
Scenario 1: Leadership Challenge
Situation: You're a team leader and one of your Soldiers is consistently late to formation. How do you handle this situation?
Recommended Approach:
- Document the incidents with specific dates and times
- Conduct a performance counseling session
- Identify the root cause of the tardiness
- Set clear expectations and consequences
- Follow up to ensure improvement
- Escalate if the behavior continues
Quick Knowledge Check
What is the Army's current fitness test?
Answer: The Army Fitness Test (AFT)
What are the three types of Army training?
Answer: Individual, Collective, and Leader Development training
What is the purpose of the Army's Ready Force?
Answer: To maintain combat-ready forces capable of responding to any threat worldwide
🎯 Interactive Flashcards
Use these interactive flashcards to memorize key board preparation concepts, Army knowledge, and leadership principles. Click on a card to flip it and reveal the answer.
📖 Additional Resources
📋 Required Documents
- DA Form 2A (Personnel Qualification Record)
- DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record)
- Recent NCOERs (last 3 years)
- Military and civilian education certificates
- Awards and decorations documentation
- Medical and dental records
- Security clearance documentation
- Recent AFT scorecards
🎯 Study Resources
- Army Regulation 600-9 (Body Composition Program)
- Army Regulation 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms)
- Army Regulation 623-3 (Evaluation Reporting System)
- Army Regulation 600-20 (Army Command Policy)
- Field Manual 6-22 (Army Leadership)
- Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks
- Current Army publications and circulars
- Military news sources and publications
- Unit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)