Education

• Though a high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement for joining the military, those who rise through the ranks are expected to continue their education. Soldiers in the Army can earn up to 100 points for civilian education. Some military posts offer courses on the base, and local community colleges and universities often have special programs for local military students. If possible, students should try to pick college majors that are relevant to their studies.
  
  

Physical Fitness

• Physical training is a cornerstone of military readiness. Service members in each of the branches receive a fitness test twice a year in standard exercises such as pushups, situps, pullups and running. Failing these tests can have a seriously adverse effect on the promotion process.
  
  

Military Training

• In addition to physical training, the military offers several military courses starting with boot camp and occupational training courses. Military personnel can earn up to 200 points for all of these courses, which will contribute in the end to their promotion score. Most are mandatory but some classes are optional and contribute further to professional development.
  
  

Performance Reviews

• Everyone in the military is assessed by someone superior to them. These performance reviews let the promotion board members know at a glance if it makes sense for them to waste their time interviewing you. If your recent performance reviews have some negative comments in them, then be prepared to explain them to the promotion board.
  
  

Awards

• In the promotion process, military medals and ribbons are each allocated a set number of points. For example, in the Army, the Purple Heart military decoration nets 50 points while the Combat Infantryman Badge yields only 15. The point calculation is cumulative, meaning that if you earned a Combat Infantryman Badge two promotion cycles ago, then those 15 points are still counted in the current cycle.
  
  

Personal Appearance

• When standing before the promotion board, you will likely wear your service uniform. The board members will scrutinize you closely to make sure you conform to uniform standards. Take extra time to look for loose threads, misaligned ribbons and buttons as well as smudges and scuff marks. Also check to make sure you conform to grooming standards concerning facial hair, hair length and clean nails. By showing that you can pay attention to the smallest details, you show that you are ready to lead.