General Information
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Army
Enlisted
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Assume you are preparing for a Army Selection Board; ask yourself
how you can best prepare for the board.
The centralized selection system relies on information contained in your OMPF, your official photograph and your Enlisted Record Brief (ERB). These documents must portray an accurate profile of your ability and potential. Although the OMPF is used for other personnel management actions throughout your career, you must realize that the accuracy of the information on the OMPF may determine whether or not a board selects you for promotion.
The results of any selection board can be no more valid than the information upon which the board bases its judgment. For that reason, it is important that you personally ensure your file is current and accurate before a selection board reviews it. If you prepare your records with the same attention to detail as you would if you were preparing to appear in person, you will greatly enhance your chance for selection. Board members have the following items to review: your OMPF, ERB, the Personnel Data Sheet (PDS), Correspondence to the President of the Board and Official Photograph. These are explained below along with Discrepancies.
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Assume you are preparing for a Army Selection Board; ask yourself
how you can best prepare for the board. |
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The Personnel
Data Snapshot (IWRS) provides E5's and above with the following
pertinent board information:
Current Photo on File
Board Information
NCO-ER Data
NCO-ER Appeal Data
Letters to BP
Acceptance / Declination Actions
Personnel Qualification Record
If you are in a zone of consideration for an upcoming board, your local PSB/MPD should schedule you to review your ERB. The ERB is a computer printout containing personal information. With the ERB, board members can see, at a glance, your history of assignments, military schooling, promotions, etc. Such as name, SSN, DOR, BASD, etc.. Ensure all information is accurate to avoid confusing anyone who reviews your file. Your attention to detail will eliminate any confusion. After you have reviewed your ERB, you must certify that it is correct by signing it. Remember, your servicing PSB/MPD maintains your ERB, so see them for any changes.
Personnel Data Sheet
The PDS is a computer-generated summary of information drawn from several different sources to include: DA personnel databases, SIDPERS, EER/NCO-ER and the ERB you submitted. USAEREC produces this form for board use only. The best thing you can do to ensure the accuracy of your PDS is to carefully verify the data on your ERB and make sure all your evaluation reports are filed in your OMPF.
Correspondence to the President of the Board
Memorandums to the president of the selection board are seen by voting members of the board. You may write to the board president to call attention to any matter that you feel is important to your consideration. The memorandum should be very brief, well-written and carefully proofread.
Official Photograph
Official photographs are not part of the performance fiche. All selection boards receive a hard copy photograph, if available. Your photograph is used in the decision process of board members. Many board members have said that the photograph is the soldier's personal statement of professionalism to the board.
Since 1 Oct 91, official DA photographs have been taken in color. In early 1996 the Army began transitioning to digitized photographs. Selection boards are advised that either the full length color or the new digitized photo is sufficient when reviewing a soldier's file. Complete phase-in of the digitized photo may take several years to ensure that all soldiers have had the opportunity to have a digitized photo taken.
Although the regulation (AR
640-30) requires a photograph every five years, there is no
prohibition against having one made sooner. If you have lost weight,
been promoted, have new awards and/or decorations or have a better
fitting uniform since your last photograph, you may want to have
a new one made. Ensure that the photograph is current and sharp,
that your image does not blend with the background and that you
assemble the menu board accurately. A sloppy appearance, unauthorized
awards and decorations or appearing to be overweight could affect
your chances of selection. A missing photograph may also mislead
board members to believe that you are apathetic or are trying to
hide something (overweight?).
Your supporting PSB/MPD will send two copies of your photograph to:
USAEREC
ATTN: AHRC-EBA
8899 E. 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-5301
Discrepancies
The following are some common discrepancies found by DA Enlisted Selection Boards in the OMPFs of soldiers. These are not inclusive of every discrepancy. They are offered simply as a tool to use when reviewing your files.
- Missing/outdated photographs.
Missing ERB.
- Missing NCOER.
- Height and weight differences - getting taller as you gain weight.
Blank or incorrect PMOS/SMOS/BASD/DOR. - P3 profile with no MMRB.
- Blank or incorrect military/civilian education entries.
- Wearing of unauthorized badges, tabs, awards and decorations.
- Illegible copies of ERB.
Summary
At least six months before your records are to appear before a DA
selection board, you should begin getting your records in order.
See the Short Notes When Reviewing your OMPF page for some guidelines
to help you review and prepare your file. Your file is appearing
before the board in your place; take your time and make sure it
is complete and accurate. Three parts of your file -- your photograph,
your microfiche and your ERB -- contain more than 95 percent of
the information on which the selection board members will decide
whether or not to select you for promotion, school attendance or
QMP. You must not ignore the importance of that fact. REVIEW
YOUR FILE!
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