Some people do not have ambition to grow. The way I handled this in my career was to ask the Soldier to look at it as an opportunity to better themselves, their life and their family. With a little bit of effort you can make more money, and prepare your life for a better future…even if the Soldier is planning on getting out of the military they should still do everything possible to get promoted and move ahead. If they separate from service as an E-4 most employers will take a dim view of this and believe the Soldier was in trouble and busted or a non performer. I would ask my Soldiers never to close a door or burn a bridge because once you burn it you are usually done. Example: I had a Soldier who did not want to go to the board, did not want the responsibility of becoming a Sergeant. He was getting out of the Army at ETS and did not care, otherwise a good Soldier. I went through the whole speech I just gave you he did not care. I finally gave the Soldier a counseling that outlined career progression and asked him to make a selection for a plan of action and if he selected he did not desire to be promoted and just want to ETS please give a reason. Once we did this and I showed the chain of command I had done everything possible to work with the Soldier the 1SG took a stab at it and when TOP was done it was obvious the Soldier had ticked him off.
