Army Board Questions for Soldier of the Month and Promotion Boards
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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.

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Army Leadership

Army Leadership

Promotion Board Question

Define the Strategic Level of leadership.

Commanders that lead a global or regional level, such as generals.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship

Promotion Board Question

How soon after DA Form 5434 is received should a sponsor be assigned?

Within 120 days of the Soldier’s report date or within 5 duty days if there is less than 120 days’ notice.

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.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What is an occlusive dressing?

A chest seal, used to prevent air from entering a chest wound during inhalation.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

What is operational adaptability and what does it require?

Operational adaptability is the ability to respond effectively to changing conditions and it requires versatile and flexible forces.

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.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

What challenges exist in desert navigation?

Sparse features, heat mirages, and sand obscuring paths.

NCO Development

NCO Development

Promotion Board Question

What will a successful NCODP prepare NCOs to perform?

Effective small-unit leadership, training of Soldiers, and accomplishment of unit missions.

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).

Wear & Appearance

Wear & Appearance

Promotion Board Question

What are the 5 situations where it's not okay to wear the Army uniform?

When it supports a political cause, is used for business, at protests, hate group events, or if it makes the Army look bad.

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.

Holistic Health & Fitness

Holistic Health & Fitness

Promotion Board Question

What areas and equipment does an SPRC's outdoor training area include?

Obstacle Course, ACFT Testing Lanes/Track, Terrain Running Course, Sheltered Strength Training Racks, Containerized Strength Equipment, PT Fields, and Climbing Pods.

Operations

Operations

Promotion Board Question

What is the textbook definition of Army Doctrine?

Army doctrine is a body of professional knowledge that guides how Soldiers think about, prepare for, and conduct operations.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What are the 4 Nato Alphabet Codes for Wartime Line 6 of the 9 Line, Security at pick-up site.

November, No enemy troops in area. Papa, Possible enemy troops in area (approach with caution). Echo, Enemy troops in area (approach with caution). X-ray, Enemy troops in area (armed escort required).

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What are the eight steps for evaluating a casualty?

Responsiveness, Breathing, Pulse, Bleeding, Shock, Fractures, Burns, and Head injury.

SHARP

SHARP

Promotion Board Question

What is required for a soldier who filed a restricted report of sexual assault to become eligible for an expedited transfer?

To be eligible for an expedited transfer, a Soldier who filed a restricted report must convert their report to an unrestricted report.

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).

Army Body Composition

Army Body Composition

Promotion Board Question

What are the required actions for commanders after determining a Soldier exceeds body fat standards?

The commander has 3 working days to Flag the Soldier using DA Form 268 and 2 working days from initiation of DA Form 268 to counsel and enroll the Soldier in the ABCP.

Code of Conduct & SERE

Code of Conduct & SERE

Promotion Board Question

What is the 3rd Article of the Code of Conduct?

If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Military Justice

Military Justice

Promotion Board Question

What is remission?

Cancellation of any portion of an unexecuted punishment.

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 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.

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.

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.

Code of Conduct & SERE

Code of Conduct & SERE

Promotion Board Question

What is the 5th Article of the Code of Conduct?

Should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies.

SHARP

SHARP

Promotion Board Question

Can victims request expedited transfers?

Yes, in unrestricted reports, victims can request expedited transfers to another unit or installation.

NCO Development

NCO Development

Promotion Board Question

Can courses less than eight weeks in length have an AFT requirement to complete the course?

Courses may require physical fitness standards as set by the proponent or course when appropriate.

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.

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).

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What are the two authorized improvised litters?

The poncho improvised litter, and the jacket improvised litter.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

What are terminal ballistics?

The physics of what happens to a round after it touches a target and tears through it, deflects off of it, or flattens against it.

Training (Units & Developing Leaders)

Training (Units & Developing Leaders)

Promotion Board Question

What are the Army’s seven principles of leader development?

Lead by example, develop subordinate leaders, create a learning environment, train leaders in the art and science of mission command, train to develop adaptive leaders, train leaders to think critically and creatively, and train leaders to know their subordinates and their families.

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.

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.

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.

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).

SHARP

SHARP

Promotion Board Question

Who can a Soldier report a Sexual Assault to if they want to keep it restricted?

SARCs, Victim Advocates, Healthcare Providers, Champlain, and friends and family as long as friends and family don't tell chain of command or law enforcement.

Army Emergency Relief

Army Emergency Relief

Promotion Board Question

What are some ways that units are expected to publicize AER informational media? (There are 12)

(1) Including AER information in orientation briefings for newly arrived and assigned Soldiers and their Families, (2) Using installation and organization media such as newspapers or daily bulletins, (3) Using defense media activity assets, (4) Briefing AER activities at commander’s calls, (5) Having the AER officers make periodic visits and briefings to subordinate units, (6) Using campaign and other related material during the installation AER annual campaign, (7) Providing AER briefings to spouses’ organizations, particularly NCOs and enlisted spouses, (8) Including AER information in ACS and ARC orientations or briefings, (9) Briefing new company commanders and first sergeants, (10) Establishing and/or maintaining a presence on social media platforms., (11) Coordinating with Veteran Service Organizations as appropriate, (12) Providing AER briefings and informational material periodically to retired personnel serviced by the installation or organization.

Land Nav

Land Nav

Promotion Board Question

Why is jungle navigation difficult?

Limited visibility, dense vegetation, and unreliable terrain association.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What is Alpha through Echo on Line 3 of the 9 Line, Number of patients by precedence?

Alpha – Urgent within 2 hours, Bravo - Urgent Surgical within 2 hours, Charlie Priority within 4 hours, Delta Routine within 24 hours, Echo convenience.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What is chilblain?

A non-freezing cold-weather injury, common with 1 to 5 hours of exposure to temperatures from 32 degrees of 50 degrees, and causes lesions that are swollen, tender, itchy and painful.

The Army

The Army

Promotion Board Question

Why did military expeditions throughout history usually fail?

Because they lacked the capability to seize and hold land, secure populations, and consolidate gains.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

What is the difference between a casualty and a patient?

Casualties are considered casualties while being treated by non-medical soldiers, casualties are considered patients after being handed off to medics and or doctors.

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.

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.

First Aid

First Aid

Promotion Board Question

How do you treat heat stroke?

Cool casualty as rapidly as possible by whatever means available. Remove clothing, immerse casualty in cold water, use ice buckets, use ice packs, and fan entire body. Stop cooling if shivering occurs. seek medical aid and evacuate casualty immediately. Do not give casualty anything by mouth.

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Rifle & Carbine Marksmanship

Promotion Board Question

What are external ballistics?

The physics of what happens to a round as it flies through the air, from leaving the barrel until it touches the target.

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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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