Landing meritorious promotions | Promotions reward high-performing junior Marines

Photo By Cpl. Jovane Holland | Marines must be recommended by their command, stand on a meritorious promotion board and display Marine Corps traits and principles to be considered for meritorious promotion. Meritorious promotions are a means to recognize and reward Marines performing above and beyond the call of duty. Meritorious promotions are intended to promote Marines whose performance is superior to that of their peers, or to promote Marines for specific actions and superior achievement.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.29.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Jovane Holland 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - In the Marine Corps, maintaining excellence and proficiency, constantly displaying high virtues and performing above the bar are everyday expectations.

Meritorious promotions are a means to recognize and reward Marines performing above and beyond the call of duty.

Meritorious promotions are intended to promote Marines whose performance is superior to that of their peers, or to promote Marines for specific actions and superior achievement, according to Marine Corps Order P1400.32D, the Corps’ regulation on promotions.

“The Marine Corps aims to promote only its best-qualified, top-shelf Marines,” said Gunnery Sgt. Hewitt Ballard, camp operations chief with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “A strong sense of, and respect for, Marine Corps leadership, traits and principles are required for Marines interested in being considered to stand on a meritorious promotion board.”

Marines who consistently strive to raise the bar and perform to their highest potential have a good chance of landing a meritorious promotion, said Sgt. Thomas Regan, the career planner with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.

“Marines who demonstrate a desire to better themselves and strive for excellence will set themselves apart, and increase their chances of being meritoriously promoted, and advancing their military careers,” said Regan.

The journey to a meritorious promotion begins with a Marine stepping up to the plate and asserting they have what it takes to move their military career to the next level. The Marine must be recommended by his or her command.

Prospective promotees then complete an administrative package highlighting their military accomplishments and military occupational specialty-specific achievements.

Subjects judged within the packages include physical fitness test scores, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program achievements, book reports and Marine Corps Institute courses.

From there, the Marine must place an emphasis on studying and understanding Marine Corps knowledge, on which they will be quizzed when they later appear before a board of their respective company and battalion level leadership, according to Ballard.

After passing initial selection and being chosen by their command to contend for the meritorious promotion, they appear before the board along with other competitors to be questioned and judged on military knowledge, bearing and uniform appearance.

For Cpl. Thessalonia Jones, the training noncommissioned officer with 9th ESB, appearing before the board was the most challenging aspect of the entire process.

Jones, who was meritoriously promoted to corporal in November, was recommended for meritorious promotion by Ballard.

“In the six months Cpl. Jones has worked for me, she has always had a great work ethic, strived to constantly produce her best and sought help or guidance when needed,” said Ballard. “Based on her maturity and achievements as a Marine, the decision to recommend her for a board was an easy one.”

Jones said she relied on a strong sense of faith and confidence in her abilities as a Marine when it came to preparing herself to appear before the board.

“Despite being a naturally confident person, I was a bit nervous when it came time for the board. It’s kind of scary to have so many eyes staring directly at you to see how you respond under pressure,” said Jones.

Any Marine who believes they are more than average and is ready to take on the next level of responsibility should consider taking the necessary steps to be recommended for a meritorious promotion, said Jones.

“Going before the board is not for the faint of heart,” said Jones. “It takes Marines that strive to set themselves apart, seek self-advancement and set their own needs aside to look out for the well-being of others. Meritorious promotion is for those who are ready, willing and able to lead.”

• Date Taken: 04.29.2011
• Date Posted: 04.29.2011 02:12
• Story ID: 69540
• Location: OKINAWA, JP