Army Board Questions for Soldier of the Month and Promotion Boards
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Board Questions
for E-1 Privates

The following list of board questions are designed to be answered by E-1 Privates who have recently graduated from basic training. They are randomly ordered, and cover a wide area of topics. Study these board questions if you are preparing to go to the soldier of the month board, or if you are preparing for your promotion board and want to make sure you have the basics down. These questions will help you understand what types of questions will be asked, and figure out what topics you need to study more.

Move On To PV2 Difficulty

Counseling

Counseling

Promotion Board Question

What is performance counseling?

Performance counseling is the review of a subordinate's duty performance during a specified period.

Drill & Ceremony

Drill & Ceremony

Promotion Board Question

What are the four rest positions that can be given at the halt?

Parade rest, stand at ease, at ease, and rest.

Customs & Courtesies

Customs & Courtesies

Promotion Board Question

What is the U.S. Army’s official song?

“The Army Goes Rolling Along.”

Army Leadership

Army Leadership

Promotion Board Question

What does Respect mean according to ADP 6-22?

Treat people as they should be treated.

Holistic Health & Fitness

Holistic Health & Fitness

Promotion Board Question

Why is mental readiness important?

It ensures the soldier has the wherewithal and cognition to fight when the fight turns chaotic.

Counseling

Counseling

Promotion Board Question

When is counseling mandatory?

When the soldier isn't meeting the standard.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What is a pace count, and how does a Soldier determine their pace count for land navigation?

A pace is equal to one natural step. The average step about 30 inches long, but every soldier's step naturally varies, so it is imperative you find your own pace count. To use pace count accurately, a Soldier knows how many paces it takes to walk 100 m. To determine this, walk an accurately measured course (like 100 m or 600 m) and count the number of paces. If using a 600 m course, divide the total paces by 6 to find the average paces per 100 m. Each person who navigates dismounted should know their own pace count.

Customs & Courtesies

Customs & Courtesies

Promotion Board Question

In a formation, what command initiates a salute?

“Present, Arms.”

Wear & Appearance

Wear & Appearance

Promotion Board Question

What hair colors are not allowed?

Purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright red, and neon colors.

Wear & Appearance

Wear & Appearance

Promotion Board Question

Can Soldiers get in trouble for not following the grooming rules?

Yes

Army Substance Abuse Program

Army Substance Abuse Program

Promotion Board Question

What is meant by "substance abuse" under AR 600-85?

The use of illicit drugs or the misuse of legally obtained substances, including prescription medications and alcohol.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

How many digits does your grid need to have to be accurate within 1 meter?

10

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

How often must every Soldier be screened for body composition?

Every 6 months at a minimum.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What is the primary objective of the ABCP?

To ensure all Soldiers achieve and maintain optimal well-being and performance under all conditions

Drill & Ceremony

Drill & Ceremony

Promotion Board Question

What are the two prescribed formations for platoons?

Line and column.

Customs & Courtesies

Customs & Courtesies

Promotion Board Question

Between two soldiers, one who is junior and one who is senior, who initiates a salute first?

The junior person.

Counseling

Counseling

Promotion Board Question

What should a Leader do when an individual has engaged in serious acts of misconduct?

Leaders should refer the matter to the commander and the servicing staff judge advocate.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

What are the 4 fundamentals of marksmanship? Aka, what are the 4 things you need to focus on to shoot accurately?

Breathing, trigger squeeze, steady position, and proper sight picture.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What is the purpose of the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP)?

Enforce standards of body fat composition as a condition of service and to ensure all Soldiers achieve and maintain optimal well-being and performance under all conditions.

Drill & Ceremony

Drill & Ceremony

Promotion Board Question

What foot is your leading foot when marching?

The left foot is the leading foot.

Drill & Ceremony

Drill & Ceremony

Promotion Board Question

When marching, who is the only person who is never out of step?

The guide.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What is the only authorized method for estimating body fat?

The circumference-based tape method.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity

Promotion Board Question

What is discrimination?

Any action that unlawfully or unjustly results in unequal treatment of persons or groups based on race, color, gender, national origin or religion.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What domain does the Army operate in?

The Army operates in all domains, converging its capabilities to control land.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What are the three phases of TCCC?

1. Care under fire 2. Tactical field care 3. Combat casualty evacuation care

Wear & Appearance

Wear & Appearance

Promotion Board Question

Can women wear earrings when not in uniform?

Yes, but not earrings that stretch the earlobes.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

How is body composition an indicator of a Soldier's physical readiness?

It ensures that each Soldier is capable of performing physical duties and sustaining endurance in all environments.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What is the Army’s motto, found on the Army’s seal?

This We’ll Defend.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

How does body composition contribute to mission requirements?

Soldiers must maintain a high level of physical readiness to meet mission requirements.

SHARP

SHARP

Promotion Board Question

What does SHARP stand for?

Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention.

Army Substance Abuse Program

Army Substance Abuse Program

Promotion Board Question

Can a Soldier be separated for a single positive drug test?

Yes

Counseling

Counseling

Promotion Board Question

What should happen if the Subordinate's performance is unsatisfactory because of a lack of knowledge or ability?

The Leader and Subordinate can Develop a Plan for Improvement

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What is first aid?

Care rendered to a casualty prior to the arrival of medical personnel.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

How close will a six digit grid get you?

Within 100 meters.

Army Leadership

Army Leadership

Promotion Board Question

What does Selfless Service mean according to ADP 6-22?

Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

What is the standard zeroing range with Iron Sights?

25 meters

Drill & Ceremony

Drill & Ceremony

Promotion Board Question

What is the primary purpose of drill?

To enable a commander or noncommissioned officer to move their unit from one place to another in an orderly manner.

Customs & Courtesies

Customs & Courtesies

Promotion Board Question

What does AR 600 dash 25 cover?

Military customs and courtesies

Wear & Appearance

Wear & Appearance

Promotion Board Question

What are extremist tattoos?

Tattoos that show hate or support for hate groups.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

When was the Declaration of Independence finalized?

4 July 1776.

Wear & Appearance

Wear & Appearance

Promotion Board Question

What does a Soldier's appearance say about them?

Their professionalism.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What is a MEDEVAC?

Casualty Evacuation in Medical Vehicle or Aircraft.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

How do you measure a straight-line distance between two points on a map using a graphic scale and a piece of paper?

Lay a straight-edged piece of paper on the map so that the edge touches both points and extends past them. Make a tick mark on the edge of the paper at each point. Move the paper to the graphic bar scale. Align the right tick mark with a printed number in the primary scale so that the left tick mark is in the extension scale. The primary scale gives the whole unit distance, and the extension scale gives smaller increments.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

What is the circle size for a Soldier to qualify a good grouping?

4 centimeters

Wear & Appearance

Wear & Appearance

Promotion Board Question

What Army regulation tells you how to wear the Army uniform?

AR 670-1

Counseling

Counseling

Promotion Board Question

What is the goal of crisis counseling?

Getting a Soldier through a period of shock after receiving negative news, such as the notification of the death of a loved one or divorce.

Holistic Health & Fitness

Holistic Health & Fitness

Promotion Board Question

What does H2F stand for?

Holistic Health and Fitness.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What is body composition?

Body composition is the relative proportions of fat and lean mass in the body.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

What does a "Red" safety status mean?

Selector on safe, Magazine in, chamber is loaded.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What gives the President the authority as the Commander in Chief?

The Constitution.

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This website is an extension of The Board Questions Podcast. I created the podcast first because I was ejected from my first board. I was brand new to the Army, just sent on rotation to Germany after OSUT, and my squad leader had it in his head that every one of his soldiers would attend a soldier of them month board. I knew nothing, got chewed up and spit out, and failed. I refused to accept that as a final result.

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Not everyone learns from audio, so I built this website. However, if you'd like to suppliment your studies by listening to the podcast as well, each of the topics by difficulty episodes covers the exact same questions that are covered on this site. The podcast even has explainations for each answer, some additional memorizational guides, and repetition chapters to help you go over it while your ear and mind are free, like commuting, playing video games, or doing chores.

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