Not fighting for feedbacks or caring about EPRs and decs early in my career. Back in the day everyone was getting 5s and therewas TIG/TIS points and no board for MSgt. As long as you didnt fuck up big time, youd make TSgt and MSgt eventually if you could score at least a 60. And even if you did fuck up or failed a PT test or 2, it didn't matter much. You could make rank second time trying with a 4 EPR by scoring 70s. It was hard NOT to retire as MSgt in the late 90s to late 2010s. You had to not study or lose rank somewhere along the way.

Now, the board sees decs you didnt get 10,15,20 years ago. If you dont have any many as your peers, your chances of promoting to MSgt with all Promotes is slim to none unless you have a recent annual award.