Army Board Questions for Soldier of the Month and Promotion Boards
The Creed of the Non Commissioned Officer
NCO 
Creed
Situational Board Questions
Situational
Questions
SPC
Difficulty
Listen to the Board Questions Podcast on Spotify
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
Go Back To PFC Difficulty

Operations

Operations

Promotion Board Question

What is the textbook definition of combined arms?

The synchronized and simultaneous application of arms to achieve an effect greater than if each element was used separately or sequentially.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What are 7 factors that might affect your pace count?

The slope of the terrain, wind, what the terrain is made of, weather, clothing, visibility, and weight of rucksack.

Army Leadership

Army Leadership

Promotion Board Question

What are the five requirements of intellect?

Mental agility, sound judgement, innovation, interpersonal tact, and expertise.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What is the process for notification and counseling when a Soldier is enrolled?

The commander has 2 working days from initiation of the DA Form 268 to counsel and/or notify the Soldier, enroll the Soldier in the ABCP, and input the date of enrollment in the integrated personnel system.

Army Substance Abuse Program

Army Substance Abuse Program

Promotion Board Question

What is Prime for Life, and who must attend?

Prime for Life is a mandatory alcohol and drug prevention education course for all Soldiers enrolled in SUDCC or referred for substance-related incidents.

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What are the key components of the ABCP?

The ABCP includes counseling, nutrition guidance, medical evaluation, physical activity guidance, monthly assessments, and Soldier accountability.

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

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

How does the ABCP address pregnancy?

Personnel who meet this regulation’s standards and become pregnant will be exempt from the standards for the duration of the pregnancy plus the period of 180 days after the pregnancy ends.

Army Substance Abuse Program

Army Substance Abuse Program

Promotion Board Question

What agencies or personnel are typically involved in the ASAP?

ASAP involves commanders, SUDCC providers, legal personnel, chaplains, and unit prevention leaders (UPLs).

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What is a map overlay?

A transparent sheet placed over a map to show tactical or operational data.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What are the 5 Nato Alphabet Codes for Line 8 of the 9 Line, Patient nationality and status.

Alpha, US Military, Bravo, US Civilian, Charlie, Non US Military, Delta, Non US Civilian, Echo Enemy Military.

Mk 19

Mk 19

Promotion Board Question

What is the muzzle velocity of MK 19 ammunition?

About 241 meters per second for common 40-mm high-velocity rounds (for example target practice and several service rounds).

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.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention

Promotion Board Question

What are some examples of primary gatekeepers?

Chaplains, Chaplain Assistants, Counselors, Family Advocacy Program Workers, Army Emergency Relief Workers, Emergency Room Medical Technicians, and Medical Health Professionals

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.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What challenges exist in desert navigation?

Sparse features, heat mirages, and sand obscuring paths.

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.

SHARP

SHARP

Promotion Board Question

What are the three echelons of sexual assault victim advocates (VAs) in a Garrison Environment?

1. The installation sexual assault response coordinator (SARC) 2. Installation victim advocates (IVA) 3. Unit victim advocates (UVAs).

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.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity

Promotion Board Question

Are Commanders required to provide feedback of Command Climate Surveys to subordinates?

Yes, Commanders are required to provide timely feedback to subordinates with 30 days of conducting the Command Climate Survey

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.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

Why does the M4 use 25 meters to zero when it's actually set at 300 meters?

Because the line of sight is a straight line, and the arc that the bullet travels intersects that line twice.

Army Community Service

Army Community Service

Promotion Board Question

What are the criteria for establishing an ACS center on an installation?

An installation must have 500 or more active duty Soldiers, authorization by HQDA, and space provided by the garrison commander.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat chilblain?

Rewarm the affected area, and keep it warm and dry.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

What is the maximum ordinate?

The maximum height the projectile will travel above the line of sight on its path to the point of impact.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What is Polar Plot, and what is it used for?

A method of locating or plotting an unknown position from a known point by giving a direction and a distance along that direction line is called polar plot.

Army Leadership

Army Leadership

Promotion Board Question

What are the four requirements of presence?

Military and professional bearing, fitness, confidence, and resilience.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What is force tailoring?

The Army provides tailored force packages to provide required capabilities.

M2 .50 Cal

M2 .50 Cal

Promotion Board Question

What are the main differences between the M2 and M2A1?

The M2A1 has fixed headspace and timing, a flash suppressor, and a quick-change barrel.

Code of Conduct & SERE

Code of Conduct & SERE

Promotion Board Question

What is the 1st Article of the Code of Conduct?

I am an American fighting in the forces that guard my country and our way of life, I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

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).

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).

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat frostbite?

Rewarm area using body heat, loosen constricting clothing and jewelry, move casualty to shelter, protect area from further cold, once tissue is thawed do not freeze it again. Avoid direct contact with excessive heat, such as open flame or stovetops. Do not rub affected tissue.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What is a "Deliberate Offset" and what is it used for?

Shooting an azimuth a little too far to the left or right. Used when the target is close to a linear feature, and you want to hit that linear feature an know with certainty that the target is to your left or right.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity

Promotion Board Question

What are the individual Rights of Soldiers, Family Members and DA Civilians when processing EO Complaints?

Present a complaint to the command without fear of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment, Communicate with the commander concerning their complaints, Receive assistance when submitting a complaint, Receive training on the Army’s EO complaint and appeals process.

Army Leadership

Army Leadership

Promotion Board Question

What is leadership?

Leadership is the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.

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.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What does it mean to have adaptive and innovative leaders?

They are comfortable with complexity and capable of operating from the tactical to the strategic level.

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,

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.

Holistic Health & Fitness

Holistic Health & Fitness

Promotion Board Question

Name all 10 PRT Prep Drill Exercises.

Bend and reach, Rear lunge, Rower, Squat-bender, Windmill, Forward lunge, Prone row, Bent-leg body twist, and Pushup.

The Board Questions Podcast Logo Black and White

Brought To You By The Board Questions Podcast

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.

I decided to build something that I needed. I gathered the questions, studied the regs, and used an AI voice to create The Board Questions Podcast. I used the podcast the study up, I won my battalion's Soldier of the Quarter board, and have worked hard to help as many soldiers as possible prepare.

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.

Feel free to listen!

Listen To The Board Questions Podcast on Spotify

View Board Questions By Topic

The Creed of the Non-Commissioned Officer

Situational Questions

The Drill Sergeant's Creed

How To Memorize Creeds

All Questions

Board Question By Difficulty

PVT Board Questions
PVT Level
PV2 Board Questions
PV2 Level
PFC Board Questions
PFC Level
SPC Board Questions
SPC Level