Influencing is getting people—Soldiers, Army civilians, and multinational partners—to do what is necessary. Influencing entails more than simply passing along orders. Personal examples are as important as spoken words. Leaders set that example, good or bad, with every action taken and word spoken...
Now promotion to sergeant E5 and staff Sergeant E6 are automatic. There are some administrative hoops, but I frequently hear stories of soldiers being forced to attend promotion boards, and if they refuse or do poorly, they will probably be barred from reenlistment. Every soldier is a leader...