Army Board Questions for Soldier of the Month and Promotion Boards
The Creed of the Non Commissioned Officer
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Board Questions for E4 Specialists

Board Questions
for E-4 Specialists

The following list of board questions are designed to be answered by E-4 Specialists who are getting ready to become NCOs. 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.

PFC
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NCO Common Core Competencies

NCO Common Core Competencies

Promotion Board Question

What are Implied duties?

Those that improve the quality of the job and help keep the unit functioning at an optimum level.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What does Title 10, U.S. Code (USC) establish?

It establishes the Army’s role to conduct prompt and sustained combat on land.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat liquid chemical burns?

Remove liquid chemicals by flushing with water. Dress the wound lightly with gauze, applying just enough pressure to avoid slipping.

Army Emergency Relief

Army Emergency Relief

Promotion Board Question

According to AR 930-4, what steps do you need to take in order to get an AER loan? What do you need to do?

1) Confirm you have a valid emergency financial need. 2) Choose your access route. 3) Gather required identification. 4) Complete the application. 5) Submit through your chosen route. 6) Complete the AER interview and documentation,

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What are the Army’s 7 enabling competencies?

Shape the operational environment, prevent conflict, prevail in large-scale ground combat, consolidate gains, sustain the force, engage with partners, and integrate national, multinational, and joint power on land.

Army Substance Abuse Program

Army Substance Abuse Program

Promotion Board Question

What should a leader do if a Soldier smells of alcohol at morning formation?

The leader should remove the Soldier from duty, notify the chain of command, and refer them for evaluation if needed.

NCO Development

NCO Development

Promotion Board Question

What are the three categories for NCOES deferment?

Deferments are categorized by proponent-defined reasons aligned to operational requirements, medical or administrative conditions, and validation by the proponent or command authority.

SHARP

SHARP

Promotion Board Question

What specific actions are required of commanders within 24 hours of receiving notification of an unrestricted sexual assault report?

Within 24 hours of notification, commanders must take several actions, including notifying the SARC and USACID office, advising the victim of the need to preserve evidence, assisting with or providing transportation if needed, asking if the victim needs a support person, facilitating a SAFE if requested, ensuring medical care is provided, coordinating initial interviews, ensuring the victim is advised of available resources, ensuring a safety assessment is completed, advising the victim of reporting options and the CATCH program.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What is the retention period for ABCP documents in iPERMS?

DA Form 268 and DA Forms 5500 or 5501 will be uploaded to iPERMS and maintained for 36 months from date of upload or until separation.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What are the Army’s 10 decisive landpower missions?

Counter terrorism and irregular warfare, deter and defeat aggression, project power despite anti-access and area denial challenges, counter weapons of mass destruction, operate effectively in cyberspace and space, maintain a safe and secure nuclear deterrent, defend the homeland and provide support to civil authorities, provide a stabilizing presence, conduct stability and counterinsurgency operations, and conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Military Justice

Military Justice

Promotion Board Question

What is mitigation?

Reduction in either the quantity or quality of a punishment.

SHARP

SHARP

Promotion Board Question

What are the five techniques of dealing with Sexual Harassment?

1. Direct approach 2. Indirect approach 3. Third party 4. Chain of command 5. Filing a formal complaint.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What are intermediate contour lines?

Unnumbered contour lines that fall between the index lines that are a smaller interval than the index lines. They are thinner than index lines.

MATVs

MATVs

Promotion Board Question

Why should the MATV engine idle for 3 mins before shutting down?

Idling allows to carry heat away from the engine components and turbo to slow down.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat hypothermia?

Bring casualty to a warm environment, replace wet clothing with dry, warm clothing, cover casualty with insulating material or blankets, wrap casualty from head to toe, avoid unnecessary movement from the casualty, if the casualty is aware, give them high calorie and warm fluids, seek medical aid, and evacuate casualty (keeping them lying down if possible).

Enlisted Promotions & Reductions

Enlisted Promotions & Reductions

Promotion Board Question

What are the three levels of promotion authority?

Decentralized (Company level for ranks E2 to E4), Semi-Centralized (Battalion level for ranks E5 and E6), and Centralized (Big Army Level for ranks E7 to E9).

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What steps do you take to open the airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift method?

Kneel near the casualties shoulders, place one hand on the casualties forehead and push backwards, and place the other hand on the casualty's lower jaw and lift, keeping the mouth open

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you apply a tourniquet?

Pull the free end of the band through the buckle, place the tourniquet 2 to 3 inches above the wound (not on a joint), pull the self-adhering band tight around the extremity and fasten it back on itself as tightly as possible, twist the windlass until bleeding stops, lock the windlass into the windlass clip, secure the windlass strap over the windlass clip, assess for a distal or posterior tibial pulse, and annotate the time on the tourniquet.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

What is the difference between a switch (aka circuitry) shot and a timer (aka hydraulic) shot?

A switch shot immediately incapacitates a target, and a timer shot hits the target in a way that they will incapacitate slowly. Does the target "switch off" or do they lose "hydraulic" blood pressure, meaning they can still fight until they expire.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat water intoxication (hyponatremia)?

Stop giving casualty water, give them salt or salty snacks, seek medical aid, and evacuate casualty immediately.

Code of Conduct & SERE

Code of Conduct & SERE

Promotion Board Question

What is the 6th Article of the Code of Conduct?

I will never forget that I am an American fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat trench foot?

Remove wet or constrictive clothing, gently wash and dry area, elevate the affected limb, cover it with loose and dry clothing. Do not pop blisters, apply lotions or creams, massage the area, expose it to heat, or allow the soldier to walk. Seek medical attention.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat a casualty for anaphylactic shock?

Position the casualty on the ground, ask the casualty if they have an epipen nearby, and send a runner to get the epipen and medical help. Open the airway if necessary, and administer the epipen as soon as possible. Evacuate the casualty, even if an epipen is administered, as the casualty still needs additional medical attention.

MATVs

MATVs

Promotion Board Question

Where are the controls for the HVAC?

On the dash in between the driver and passenger.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What does the acronym OCOKA stand for?

Observation and Fields of Fire, Cover and Concealment, Obstacles, Key Terrain, and Avenues of Approach.

Counseling

Counseling

Promotion Board Question

What is the non-directive approach to counseling?

The non-directive approach to counseling places more responsibility on the subordinate to identify problems and develop solutions.

Military Justice

Military Justice

Promotion Board Question

What is the highest military court?

The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (which used to be called the Court of Military Appeals).

Army Leadership

Army Leadership

Promotion Board Question

What are some high-risk behaviors leaders need to watch out for?

Driving under the influence, failing to wear proper protective equipment, criminal activity, or illegal use of drugs.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention

Promotion Board Question

What is a secondary gatekeeper and who are they?

Military Police, Trail Defense and Legal Assistance Attorneys, Inspectors General, DOD School Counselors, and Red Cross Workers

Counseling

Counseling

Promotion Board Question

What must Army leaders understand about effective counseling?

Army leaders must understand that effective counseling helps achieve desired goals and effects, manages expectations, and improves the organization.

Army Leadership

Army Leadership

Promotion Board Question

What is the textbook definition of leadership?

Leadership is influencing others by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to complete the mission and improve the organization.

Army Substance Abuse Program

Army Substance Abuse Program

Promotion Board Question

What is the difference between command-directed and rehabilitation testing?

Command-directed testing is ordered by a commander to determine if a Soldier is using substances; rehabilitation testing monitors a Soldier’s abstinence after enrollment in ASAP.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat white phosphorus burns?

Smother is with water, a wet cloth, or mud. Keep the wound wet. Dress the wound lightly with gauze, applying just enough pressure to avoid slipping.

Counseling

Counseling

Promotion Board Question

What is the directive approach to counseling?

When the leader takes a clear, active role in guiding the counseling session.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What are DA Forms 5500 and 5501 used for?

DA Form 5500 is used for male Soldiers and DA Form 5501 is used for female Soldiers to document body fat assessments.

MATVs

MATVs

Promotion Board Question

The MATV has 4 12-volt batteries. What are they each used for?

2 are for cranking power, and 2 are for on-board military equipment.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

How do you precisely calculate the mean point of impact?

Add together the horizontal distance of all 5 shots and divide it by 5. Then do the same with the vertical distance from the center.

Wear & Appearance

Wear & Appearance

Promotion Board Question

How do you wear the beret correctly?

It should sit 1 inch above the eyebrows, with the badge over the left eye and the extra fabric pulled to the right.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you apply an occlusive dressing?

Put on gloves, uncover the wound, open the outer wrapper of the occlusive dressing, wipe any dirt, blood, or sweat from the skin with the gauze, tell the casualty to fully exhale, place the occlusive dressing over the wound, and search for an exit wound to treat in the same manner.

Code of Conduct & SERE

Code of Conduct & SERE

Promotion Board Question

What is the 4th Article of the Code of Conduct?

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What challenges exist in desert navigation?

Sparse features, heat mirages, and sand obscuring paths.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What is force tailoring?

The Army provides tailored force packages to provide required capabilities.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What is meant by the Army’s role to win?

Winning is the achievement of the purpose of an operation and the fulfillment of its objectives.

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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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