How Army Officers Get Promoted | 2nd Lieutenant To General

So, how do Army Officers get promoted? Well, in this video I give you the breakdown of how Army Officers get promoted from 2LT to a General.
How Soldiers Get Promoted Video:
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Rank - 2nt Lieutenant.
MOS - 25A - Signal Officer.
Enlisted Feb. 2015.
Commissioned May 2018
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[@johnharris6655]

Here is a joke about 2nd LT and Generals. A Sergeant was on guard duty on a foggy night in London. While on break he went to have a smoke but did not have a light, in the fog he saw a figure come out of the door. The Sergeant said "hey buddy got a light." The figure replied "Sure Sergeant." In the glow of the lighter the Sergeant saw the man holding the lighter was General Eisenhower. The Sergeant immediately dropped his cigarette and came to attention, "General sir, I am sorry, Sir, I did not know it was you General sir." Eisenhower took out two cigarettes, lit one and gave it to the Sergeant and said "relax Sergeant, the army does not care if you forget to salute a 4 star general." Eisenhower took a drag on his cigarette and then said "But Sergeant, don't you ever forget to salute a 2nd Lieutenant."

[@alberthaust4542]

This isn't always the case. When I was in the Army stationed in Germany, I had to do gate guard one day, circumstances worked out so I didn't notice that a General's car drove through, the general had the sergeant who drove the car get out and get my name, and he informed my company commander. I forgot what happened after that, I think I had to apologize to the General.

[@claytonroach1343]

​@@alberthaust4542 Yeah, it's the man not the rank.

[@nunyabiznez6381]

1939 my uncle was commissioned a 2nd Lt. U.S. Army. He was promoted to Captain the day after Pearl Harbor bombing. On V.E. day he was a brigadier General. But that was a brevet rank. When he left the service in 1946 he reverted to his permanent rank of Lt. Colonel. He was in reserves when the Korean War broke out and they took him back as a full bird colonel and then a few months later got his star back for about a year and a half. Then he got out again after Korea and this time his permanent rank was full colonel. He was in reserves for almost a decade when Vietnam happened and he went back yet again as a colonel but he retired in 1974 for the last time with his star permanently this time. He was active duty a total of about 20 years. In between he was an engineer.

[@truckincapinwith15romeo10]

That’s serious high speed

[@enderwarrior3590]

wow

[@specfei9895]

@@truckincapinwith15romeo10 It's gon be cause he participated in many wars

[@mwduck]

Wartime is good for promotions. Mos def.

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

impressive high speed actual war = promotion opportunities when serious war happens, people like Napoleon get his 4 stars at 26 years old... i mean lol...

[@James-no6mu]

If you're about to start or are beginning a military career, I suggest that you: 1) Run a lot - Physical fitness is quantifiable in the military and therefore has an overbalanced impact compared to the other aspects of performance. You could be a world-class leader but if you can't run you won't be successful. 2) Get a graduate degree (or degrees) - I've never met a field grade officer who didn't have at least one master's degree. 3) Think like you're two ranks ahead. Be valuable but not so valuable that you are a necessity. Be noticed but not too noticeable. 4) Learn the subtle art of ego-stroking. Look in the mirror and say stuff like, "That's why you're the boss, sir" and "You've taught me so much about how to be an outstanding leader," etc. A BG's brief comment about liking you could instantly lift you into becoming the new battalion XO. The core of your career will be determined by what your superiors think about you, whether it's justified or not.

[@zohaibazhar3065]

Ngl my fathers in the army and these are hella accurate he’s a bg and cuz he was too noticeable he was not promoted

[@verisimilitudeteller]

Just curious, when you say graduate degree, do they care what degree it is? I mean if you're an infantry officer and going up that track, is a Masters in English Lit as valuable as a Masters in History? And yes I have heard of at least a Col with a Masters in English, which although I think useful in becoming a better writer may have more limited application to running a division.

[@James-no6mu]

@@verisimilitudeteller An MA in English will help you get a commission and will be alright up until Colonel, but it's not going to be a huge seller for you or anything like that. If you're really ambitious you're probably going to have to get another advanced degree that more directly relates to leading soldiers. Keep in mind though that once you climb that high promotions are given mostly based on politics. In other words, if you climb that high and your superiors like you enough that they want to promote you, they'll get you that degree. You'll be given a ton of opportunities if you show you're willing to play ball and stroke those egos

[@verisimilitudeteller]

@@James-no6mu Well that's my point. I mean I've also seen resumes of generals who have an MBA. It tickles me to know that West Point offers degrees in French or Spanish, and of course English. It's just interesting to me for a West Point graduate who seeks a lifelong career in the Army which degrees they seek. As far as the political thing goes, I think it's true for military and civilian worlds, wanna be on the board of directors or VP of your own division of a large corporation, you need to perform well, have the education and maybe be decent at golf, even if you hate it, because it's what the CEO is into.

[@JFred2]

As someone who's worked for a fortune 5 company the past 15yrs, I can attest that the above, with possible exception being #1, is fantastic advice for anyone looking to make it in corporate America every bit as much as the military. And while no one is going to be tracking your mile times, I'd even argue #1 still applies in the sense that being attractive & fit certainly won't hurt your cause. i.e. look the part

[@fetengineer9151]

I retired as a Army officer after 31 years of service. I served enlisted first made E6 and was commissioned through OCS. My only advice is to stay focused and flexible. Get all your schools out the way and completed on time and do your job.

[@omnientertainment5852]

Thank you for your service

[@coryowens2730]

now there is more open positions cause people are tired of deploying

[@fetengineer9151]

@@coryowens2730 you are probably right about that... hooah!

[@mwduck]

As I was told as a young Navy ensign: You need to do your job AND somebody else's job.

[@theworldaccordingtodave81]

Were you a general?

[@bnxsteve1213]

For an Infantry Officer the Ranger tab is as close to being mandatory as you can make it.

[@jiwanj]

Yeah your career will be at a standstill if you don't get that tab.

[@sce2aux464]

If you have your sights set on Major General or higher, the Ranger Tab is effectively mandatory. (Take a look at the shoulders of just about any four-star.)

[@intellectualiconoclasm3264]

Ah, so expect to see fewer males getting slots to ensure the 12 time recycle "1st female water-treatment specialist to graduate."

[@cripplehawk]

I don't think Martin Dempsey had a Ranger Tab....Could be wrong though.

[@RonKris]

@@intellectualiconoclasm3264 I also didn't hear him mention the diversity promotion or how that plays into the officer promotion scheme.

[@heinzguderian3267]

To make General in the Army you have to be born into the club or adopted into the club. As a thirty year Army vet that’s my personal observation.

[@GMP-Official]

blue blood from the us establishment, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant christian, tall and bold

[@dabprod]

Anything over Lt Col is political. You have to be in the "in crowd'".

[@jeremiaharyeetey9877]

@@dabprod that's sad

[@Lukeclout]

GeneralOberst - You were born into the club.

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

well, it isn't necessarily a bad system you don't want a bunch of outsiders who you are not sure if you can trust commanding the most important part of the state apparatus...

[@karlyshaay6459]

Just enlisted as 14G! Shipping out Oct. 1st Fort Jackson! Thanks for constant info and uploads Matt!

[@nightofshininghonor]

Karly Shaay gonna be leaving for Jackson on Sep. 15!

[@ghernandez2097]

What's that mos?

[@fernandooro4019]

Karly Shaay good luck I’m graduating from there tomorrow

[@spaceman081447]

@@ghernandez2097 RE: "What's that mos?" MOS 14G: The air and missile defense crewmember supervises, operates, or serves as a member of a lightweight, highly mobile, air defense weapons system.

[@chaseroberts3111]

tihis all changes in war, a 2nd Lt needs only 90 days in grade to be eligible for promotion. As Rick Atkinson writes in his book "Army at Dawn" in 90 days a combat 2Lt is either KIA, taken out of action due to wounds or incompetence, or promoted to 1st Lt. Percentage wise they had the highest casualty rate during ww2.

[@courage-4145]

Thank you I been looking for something like this for the longest

[@rafaelramos1486]

After 33 years military service regarless you are enlisted or officer .The key to get promoted is complete all your military and civilian schools .Never be afraid to take on the challenge on duty positions. Be aware you dont know everything so dont be afraid to ask for advice.Always think of the responsabilities and duty of 2 ranks up and work to get experience.Verify and work your performance evaluations.The most important treat every one regarless of rank with respect and profecionalism.and dont be Lazy.

[@Number6_]

Like mine what Rafael said.

[@tommystpatrickghost4264]

This is not 100% true. All ARMY NURSES ARE GETTING KICKED OUT. Some have deployed , held command positions. If that position is over strength you are getting clipped !!

[@antoineb9371]

Thank you so much Matt! There’s not a lot of information out there on Officer specific stuff this is gold

[@YousefAlghadouri]

Thank you so much for the video Matt hope you get promoted fast

[@seanpatmac27]

My Grandfather was a Major in the Medical Corps & was medically discharged 2 weeks before he'd be eligible for retirement in the 60's before the US became fully involved in Vietnam

[@thomas0086]

That sucks... hopefully he still got retirement though.

[@seka1986]

Sean McDermott Hats off to your grandfather. They should have gave it to him!

[@stevefowler2112]

My son graduates Engineering college (Mechanical Engineering) in the Spring and was just selected by a local OCS board to go to OCS next Summer. He is pretty excited...I was in The Corps and was a rifle range instructor at OCS at Quantico and knowing how hard that was and how competitive the Officer's boards are in The Corps I suggested he go either Navy or Army.

[@NaturalStateDepths]

Almost 1 year into my 1LT time, hopefully I can see CPT before I contemplate getting out or staying in.

[@aymanhaque391]

I think the minimum for Captain is four years total service and two years service as a First Lieutenant, but as a Captain you get to lead a company so if I were you, I'd stay.

[@NaturalStateDepths]

@@aymanhaque391 I'm Reserve and if they have to they put 1LTs in CO spots but I saw the Army more as a stepping stone than a career. Plus I got my civilian dream job now so honestly I'm playing it by ear now.

[@kevv9277]

Not Another LT What is your dream job?

[@pontiacGXPfan]

If you can get a good hustle in the civilian world now that you've reached the rank of Captain, get out of the business while you can

[@Kilroy_Wuz_Here]

Ayman Haque Currently it’s 46 months TIS with 24 mont hs TIG

[@taradewet9206]

This was super helpful! I'm a writer and I was very curious about this sort of thing so thank you very much for making this video!

[@nicoledriscoll1984]

I’m in similar boat as you. Trying to write my first novel. One year past your comment hope it’s going good! So much to learn about writing.

[@kevinonthank]

I regret not going into the military. Too old now,47. Could of been possibly retired. Wish I knew what I know now back in 94 when i finished high school. Great vid bud!

[@NehemieMomo]

What'd you do/doing rn?

[@naomifox9337]

Thank you to all veterans for your service.

[@jhonnyduenas810]

Thank you so much Matt!!!

[@MrJamberee]

Very good video. I learned quite a bit.

[@thomasbrooks8401]

Well done! Very good summary,. It sounds much the same as 25 years ago when I was in the Army. Made it to LTC in the Signal Corps afters some time on active duty and and a tour as an S3 for a Signal battalion in the NG. I think my civilian job as an telecom engineer help get me the promo., Best of luck to all of you aspiring to higher ranks and thank you for your service!

[@whoispriest]

FYI, your channel got 321.8 k views in last 30 days. 35.6 mill views total so far, congrats that is some impressive numbers

[@Barzins1]

Anyone who dons the uniform and fights to protect my kids has earned my respect and gratitude. God bless you for your selflessness.

[@Unxnown1]

Loved the video and I think you did a good job. Just a small clarification regarding Officer Evaluations (beginning with the board to make CPT). It is all about what your "Senior Rater" (SR) writes, not your Rater. Yes, you should have good comments from your Rater, who writes about what you've done during the rating period (usually 12 months). But it's your Senior Rater who writes what your potential is for serving in the next higher grade. With the 2-3 minutes a promotion board member has to review the Officer's records, their only focus is on the Senior Rater's bullets and how that SR stacked that Officer against their other Officers.

[@kenleblanc4224]

Great video Matt!!

[@christopheressien4117]

Just fininshed Meps yesterday. Hitting up basic training Oct 7 as a 15w

[@God-gy6po]

Good luck bro

[@YouReallyDontKnow]

“Hitting up basic training” lmao that just sounds too funny

[@malikky9731]

Best of luck !

[@amcculley338]

Did you make it?

[@johngilles9371]

military intelligence ? (Isn't that an oxymoron)?

[@Silvrhands1137]

You not being Active duty does cause some slip ups in your videos that seasoned soldiers will notice. However, still appreciate the effort to help out those who have these kinds of questions.

[@sandovalperry2895]

Many officers are not aware that the promotion board can “show cause” you. If your record is bad the Army will ask you why should we keep you. I reviewed records going before the boards, we surprised more that a few officers who thought they could skate to 20. Yes, that 3-star letter of reprimand will be on your record.

[@rssudowoodo]

To be completely fair, a letter of reprimand is typically a death sentence for any further promotion boards. Not the end all, be all, but 0-3+ and E-7+, given the competition, it's basically lights out from there.

[@Firecat719]

As seen with enlisted personnel, your specific MOS can and does have an effect on your opportunities for advancement. Essentially, the greater the need for personnel at your next rank, the more opportunity - and likelihood - you will have to advance. The same goes for officers. Your MOS could be a curse or a blessing ... not to mention the additional concepts of luck and timing. You could say that I am a recipient of both a blessing and a curse - based on my MOS. Please note, at the time I first became an officer - in the USAF - the TIG from 2nd to 1st Lt was only 12 months, not 18. My specific MOS was one that is not common and generally did not come with a lot of competition for promotion. Additionally, it was a highly specialized field. Therefore, if it was decided that my department were to be expanded, you could not have someone from outside this department fill a void without the required skill-set. They definitely looked from within - even if that meant they had to lower the BZ. In my case, I spent 1 yr as 2nd Lt.; 2 as 1st Lt and only TWO as a captain. In august of that year, just one month after my 23rd birthday, I made major. That was the luck and being there at the right time. Although I did not have the standard TIG, I did possess the proper skills and experience for the job. Plus, there were no other captains - with the required field of specialty - qualified. In simple terms: They needed a major and no one else was available for promotion. It was a little more complicated than that, but that was about the gist of it. Next comes the unlucky part ... 12 years a Major. The only way I was moving up was either my CO was bumped up to General, retired, was MIA/KIA or I changed my MOS. As it turned out, he made general and I was immediately bumped to LTC .. then resigned 3 months later. (that's a different story) As this video shows, thru the use of infantry vs signal corps, it can vary vastly. Although there is a general set of mandatory minimums, the word, 'mandatory,' can be written with a #2 pencil that has an intact eraser. Consider any branch of any military saying, "I need a major in this position, now! No one qualified to handle this position has enough TIG? Well, I guess we'll wait until next year." On the other side of the coin, they are not going to say, "She's been a great major for the last 6 years, we should promote her - even though we have no need anyone at 0-5." My advice to anyone wishing to come from civilian life into the military as an officer and wants to make rank ASAP is to consider the following: 1) PROPERLY ordained ministers and priests do not need a college degree and start out as a 1st Lt. 2) RN nurses also are commissioned without a 4 yr degree and start out as either a 2nd or 1st Lt (

[@spaceman081447]

@Firecat719 RE: "My specific MOS was one that is not common and generally did not come with a lot of competition for promotion. Additionally, it was a highly specialized field." What was your MOS?

[@beverly80]

RN (Registered Nurse) requires a college degree (4 years)

[@TM-ey5py]

Actually, as of several years ago, RN’s need a BS in Nursing (BSN) to be commissioned as a 2LT (and at least 1 year of civilian nursing work experience). EXCEPT, in the reserves and NG, RN’s can have associate degrees.

[@jonathanim1021]

My SGM talking about promotion: be at right place at right time in right uniform. BG talking about promotion: Be the best soldier, know your job, push your soldiers to be best, and make your soldier respect you.

[@karisalonen8984]

Its always very interesting to hear, how things go in foreign armed forces...

[@MG21778]

Very informative video, Matt. Thanks

[@davebowman9000]

Doing research for a book. Would love input on this (not entirely plot relevant but is one of those details that might make it or break it with some people): Captain comes from a family thats been in the military since the War of 1812. Guy is smart enough to get his college/school thing down but is socially inept, and he gets carried up the ladder by his family's name and that he's decent at the job.

[@ac4185]

Dont get a DWI and you will make Captain. Run a 13:00 two mile, you make colonel. Brownnose and you make general.

[@kennethmiller2333]

There are two time-in-service requirements that I'm aware of for officers - they're not in regulations, but rather in federal law. - Cannot be promoted (but can be announced) for O-4 before 8 years of commissioned service. There are exceptions to this, such as doctors and lawyers. - Must be promoted to O-5 before 30 years total service (commissioned and enlisted). Might be a little off on this one, since I'm not up for O-5 yet. Also good to note that O-8 is the highest permanent rank in all of the branches. O-9 and O-10 are tied to billet. If you can't find a higher billet, you're expected to retire (of course at your highest rank held - not necessarily your highest permanent rank) because, at that point, it's mostly a matter of timing and luck. In fact, you don't even need to pass through O-9 to get to O-10. This happened with ADM Zumwalt when he went from two-stars to Chief of Naval Operations.

[@That_Guy9168]

I was signal when I was in (25Q) and I had 3 different officers who recommended me to get my degree and go green-to-gold. Only 1 of them actually sat me down and explained how crazy competitive it is to get past Captain. He told me they count EVERYTHING you do/don't do at the selection board.

[@daithi1966]

Who your daddy is also plays a HUGE roll. I worked for two butter ball lieutenants and both of them were great officers, but one of them went to West Point and his dad was a General. The Army definitely treated him different than they did the first officer who was just as good an officer if not a better officer (I certainly liked him a lot more). By the time I left, the West Point grad was a Captain, and he got a coveted assignment at the Pentagon. The other officer was also Captain, but he was still at Ft. Gordon when I left (I was also Signal Corp. by the way).

[@helen5472]

Good insight. My nephew, Green Beret, led forces in Iraq & Afghanistan. There was an opening for a Generals position to train Special Forces. He applied but a graduate from West Point got the billet. My nephew retired as a Colonel.

[@chrislouden7329]

My grandfather hit Omaha beach as a PFC at day's end he was a sergeant. He left the Army after the war as a first sergeant. When Korean war started they asked him to come back as a Captain but he turned them down

[@bnxsteve1213]

Knew a Major once who got passed over for Lt. Col. twice. We used to call it getting Rifed (pronounced Riffed) = Reduction in Force.

[@Kilroy_Wuz_Here]

Not a RIF. Jst simply got passed over. (Thank you for your service, there’s the door) - Though today MAJs who are oasse dover for LTC but are over 15 years of service are often (though not always) chosen for SELCON (selective continuation) which allows them to remain until they reach retirement (20 years TIS) A RIF is a congressionally mandated action to reduce the overall size of the force which involves boards (file reviews) to determine who stays and who goes, We haven’t actually had a RIF since the 90s.

[@Jedwbpm]

It can also depend on your MOS have a friend who was in JAG and they do not promote very much because their are not that many of them

[@ianmangham4570]

Then use two F's numbnuts "RIFFED"

[@dr.mmaudi8194]

In some militaries, the word Major is used for a soldier who has lost his promotion several times that his juniors have now become his mates and probably going to become his senior. This shows that the rank of a major is a rank where most officers get held up.

[@jimgood1949]

A reduction in force is a whole different thing. An officer does not need to be passed over for promotion to get culled out by a RIF. The US Army has not had a RIF since 1973 when they got rid of hundreds of excess company grade officers, as well as a number of warrant officer aviators. Most officers who were selected for non-retention by the RIF were OCS graduates who did not have a college degree, or officers who had gotten one or more adverse OERs. After the end of the Cold War and Desert Storm, many mid career officers (senior captains and junior majors), some with promising careers were allowed to take generous separation bonuses in return for volunteering to leave active duty. Typically an officer passed over for promotion 2 times is separated from active duty, but there are occasional exceptions made to allow officers with several years of enlisted service to remain on active duty until retirement.

[@3Dani.]

So helpful!

[@luisriba8082]

I was used to be in the MITT Team from 08-09 prior the transition to leave Iraq. Hopefully Ill be back in the military as an Officer.

[@garycooper8687]

Rater is rating performance. Senior Rater is rating potential. Potential is most important since it will be read on boards.

[@garycooper8687]

Each rank has three looks. Some officers who are not promoted and retained on Select Continue or SELCON. Usually due to time constraints due to operation tempo. It is so they non promotable can make it to 20 years

[@ranger6729]

As a Personnel Management Officer the Promotion Boards are constrained to a limited amount of time that they have to "review" an officer eligible for selection. They may only have 90 seconds to look at a single officer's file. They are then (literally) thrown into groups: Promote Ahead / Promote Now / Promote Maybe and Promote NO! Helpful items that influence decisions are: Special assignments / Joint Operation assignments / and comments from a General Officer. Regardless, all actions depend on the "Needs of the Service" at that time.

[@zephsuki]

Is this a hint that Matt is going to get promoted :D

[@MattWard89]

lol Like I said in the video I'm almost promotable. Just a few more months!

[@paytoncrout8302]

Matt Ward 1st Lieutenant Ward?

[@ninjaked1265]

Matt Ward have you ever made it to corporal or sergeant?

[@paulmandal9314]

@Korey Smoot I can answer this one. Yes, we can. Deployments are quite low right now so the chance of any soldier seeing combat is very low. It is also dependent on what your branch is. An Infantry Officer is much more likely to see combat than an Adjunct General (think human resources) Officer.

[@Kilroy_Wuz_Here]

Paul Mandal adjutant

[@sh4rkyb0y_]

So for the Good Conduct medal. I’m pretty it was Matt who said like an enlisted can get it every 3 years for “good behavior”. And that reminded me, I know it could depend on your unit but doesn’t the reserve/guard deploy on average every 2-3 years?

[@airborneinfantry23]

It depends on the state and unit. Some Guard units haven’t deployed 9-10 years. It really boils down to what type of guard unit your state has, and what type of operations they can take on, ie, mechanized, light, airborne, Stryker, etc. There are only a few Guard units who are on that rotation, and they may or may not get deployed during that time period. So it takes 3ish years to meet the qualifications as a State to deploy, unless your state fast tracks the unit, but this is rare for an entire state. You’ll have 3 major qualifying training events that are USUALLY conducted in the summer. XCTC, MBIT, and an NTC or JRTC rotation. Then you’ll go into pre mobilization and mobilization at a CRC, usually Hood or Bliss. That’s the usual flow for a brigade at the state level, unless you’re in the middle of an all out war like the invasion and surge in Iraq and Afghanistan before the draw downs. Now that doesn’t include smaller task force deployments. My state has sent several battalions on deployments and even 2 separate volunteer companies on 2 task force augmentation deployments to Afghanistan. My state is considered “high op tempo” as far as being ready to deploy. Now, again, that doesn’t mean the State will actually get called up. Main deployments for my state are as follows: 05-06, 09-10, 2 task force deployments in 12-13, and 18-19. This doesn’t count the various and numerous aviation and support deployments that also went on. All of these, aside from the 12-13 Infantry Company deployments, were the entire state brigade. Supposedly we’re deploying again in 22-23, but deployments in the guard literally change every month it seems, so we will see.

[@Firemission-qw3lj]

Good job bro.

[@alcyonecrucis]

Hope you get your promotion soon Lieutenant!

[@brianwinters5434]

My cousins son in law became a lt coronel after 12 years he was an xo in afghanistan and iraq. He now teaches at the wor college.

[@joeangle6512]

12 yr col or ltc? Sounds fishy

[@G.amer.90]

When you make it to 4 star general will you still make us videos?

[@NotShowingOff]

I think he’d do it on a premium subscription.

[@bananabread3825]

Lol I’m only a o1 on roblox that’s why in watching this

[@jdtheoriginalg8521]

@@bananabread3825 Roblox, laughs. Hope you go for it irl. I have decided marines after playing. A couple of mr friends did to you come from Zan?

[@soktayridis5044]

from the momment he uploaded his first video that oportunity got thrown out the window

[@trivet1970]

we will find out in 30 years, i hope im still around the see that!

[@dabprod]

I turned down OCS in early '65 and got out in August of that year and got married. Did my three years, but have often wondered how things would have turned out for me if I had stayed in....? Of course, I'd have had to survive two tours of Nam too. Who knows? Today I receive payment from the VA with 100% total disability service connected from injuries in just three years active service.

[@FizzyBoobele]

THANK YOU

[@robertlumsden942]

This was very good. one question - does it help your career if you are an academy graduate vs rotc or ocs. curious.

[@michaelrs8010]

Although my military service time has long since passed, I find all these videos you do on current affairs be extremely interesting. 👍 That being said, I do have one minor critique; I find that LARGE silver KZbin plaque on the shelf in the background to be..."distracting". There is also a diamond shape thing over your other shoulder, next to the hourglass, that reflects a bit into the lens. IDK, probably just some minor hitherto unknown OCD on my part. Anyway, I always look forward to the next video, keep up the good work.

[@ttrivett2000]

While not common, its possible for a one star to go directly to 3 star or even 4 star. General of the Army Marshall skipped MG and LTG and Pershing as well and others.

[@jimgood1949]

They were serving during world wars 80 years ago in Marshall’s case, over 100 years ago for Pershing. Do you think things may have changed just a little bit since then? Clue: that isn’t going to happen again any time soon.

[@TheFloresj23]

Is there one of these for enlisted? I’m curious as how other branches do it. I’m in the NAVY for us E1-E3 is automatic. Up until last year E3 to E4 was exam. As well is E4-E6 with a test for E7 just to be board eligible in order to submit your packet. From there E7-E9 are selection boards. As for Officers I know O1-O3 automatic with O4 being a selection board then TIG from O4 to O5 I believe is 4 years with O5 to O6 with a 7 year TIG I was told but that might be off a bit.

[@victorayala7389]

Hiiii I been watching u for a long time now and I wanted to say keep up the good work

[@MattWard89]

Thank you!!!

[@ChiefsFanInSC]

Getting promoted to Major, Lt. Colonel, Colonel and General sounds A LOT like what you have to do in corporate America to make it from manager, senior manager, c level, and CEO. You have to constantly burnish your credentials, score superior reviews from your boss and need a lot of luck or connections.

[@mingming9604]

so if you are on the recomended list but get passed over twice then you might get kicked out but if you never got recommended for promotion then how long can you stay at your current rank before getting kicked out?

[@ryanchesney2186]

I've been waiting lol

[@montycasper4300]

Sounds like the system is geared around game playing peter principle types, who are good as knowing who to please. Most managers in my lengthy experience hit a plateau of performance, after which anything beyond will simply set them to fail. Doesn't mean they aren't effective and within their role are an asset. Instead in the army system they're weeded out.

[@GeneralCalculus]

I find it funny comparison how US military has that "get promoted or get out" thing. While my country's military is thinking about changing cadre/career officers service rules in such way that master of military science wouldn't be requirement for permanent commission (because initial commission is temporary for up to 10 years and you can't get promoted past lieutenant if you don't go back to school for Master's) and you could serve entire career with just Bachelor of military science and never going past captain, before being retired into reserve, if you don't want to. Of course promotion cycles would be slower to compensate. Then again probably just the generals of the US military out number whole cadre officer of corp of Finnish Defence Forces. /jk.

[@daniellanders5794]

Well, there are just over 900 Active duty general officers in the US military...

[@bobaruvictoria3074]

Buna. Stiu ca ti se pare ciudat ca pun altfel de întrebări, te rog, imi poti raspunde? "- Este posibil ca un soldat american sau ofițer cand pleaca in misiune de pace ,sa semneze un contract fără întoarcere, adica pana la moarte?? Poate armată sa ceara foarte mulți bani daca vrea sa schimbe contractul??" Multumesc anticipat si astept raspunsul tau

[@NitroDubbbz]

Do you think you could do a video on US army cyber command and maybe the steps to take to becoming a cyber security MOS in the army? Ive done just about as much research as I think I can do on it but there seems to be little information out there, so a video on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

[@kodingkrusader2765]

Have you tried contacting a recruiter? Even for officer stuff they can still at least point you in the right direction of who yo talk to

[@garcand]

enlisted or commission?

[@paulmandal9314]

Enlisted is a pretty straight forward process. You will need to get a qualifying score on the ASVAB and get a Top Secret Security clearance. The Officer side is so competitive that you will need years of employment in Cyber Security and certifications (namely CompTIA Security+) to be considered.

[@keithgoodsell711]

How to make general/flag officer? Go to the right school, be from the right demographic, know the right people. Ring knockers and being a woman still have a leg up when it comes to promotions.

[@therealmcgoy4968]

in other words go to an ivy league school

[@keithgoodsell711]

@@therealmcgoy4968 or a service academy…

[@rileypart1]

Morning Matt!

[@MattWard89]

Good morning!

[@jamesberwick2210]

If it's anything like the Air Force...a Butter Bar LT, 2nd Lt. he's survived the required amount of time with some chief who hates having to break in a Butter Bar. (that's in reference to the gold bars on his uniform!)

[@specialed1444]

Something I am rather curious about. Do the schools and qualifications you received as an enlisted soldier carry over once you commission? For example if I did airborne as a enlisted soldier would that carry over to when I earned my commission?

[@MattWard89]

Yes, if you graduate from a school that will always be on your record.

[@specialed1444]

Matt Ward Awesome. That is great to know.

[@paulmandal9314]

Yes. This also includes Drill Sergeant school. One of the officers I commissioned with still wears her Drill Sergeant patch.

[@specialed1444]

@@paulmandal9314 Thanks, I had completely forgotten about this comment.

[@blujaktom]

Great video! Wanted to ask if you could make a video talking about the signal corps? I just got accepted for OCS and I got accepted for signal here in Texas (I'll be a reservist)! Been following your videos and it has helped me out a lot and I would def like to hear you talk more about signal if you could. Thank you sir!

[@3Dani.]

Blu Jak I would love a video like this too! And congrats on being selected for OCS!

[@shelly2599]

Nice video Matt 👍 Sir Echo Bravo Charlie 💜🇱🇷👍 2021/13/09 at 2200 hrs y'all are hopefully home now... 🍻 Most civilians don't know about the 13 folding the flag 🙏 God Bless the USA and Our Troops 🙏 recently everyone at a store walked around a Vietnam Vet but me I walked over to him and welcomed him home he shook my hand and said nice to meet you Ma'am.🇱🇷👍💯🙏

[@Scarter63]

If you are no longer in the military, could you express your opinion on Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville blocking top end officer promotions?

[@dougpursley4429]

Is that a 518th Sustainment Brigade patch on your wall?

[@earlgeorge7573]

when I served, it was 16 months to 1LT and 32 months to CPT. At the same time my boss had 7 years 8 months TIG before he made O4. He made the O4 list but promotions were slow.

[@adamjam9541]

that was the old days

[@Honndar1]

No this is actually correct. The absolute earliest anyone will see O4 is about 6 years. The video is very very wrong unfortunately.

[@team_cartooney6559]

@@Honndar1 I havnt watched the video yet but just talking to my good officer buddies, most would say the average promotion time to Major is approximately 10 years. One of my latest missions had me attached to a CPT and his team for about 11 days and he currently has 8 years in . . Ranger, and SFAB and he was telling me how it normally takes atleast 10 years to make Major and that it gets EXTREMELY political after LTC

[@Honndar1]

@@team_cartooney6559 Going to be honest, literally no idea why I said O4 was 6 years. Absolute earliest is 8 years and that’s with a double Below the zone look which is a new thing. 10 is standard. 18 months to 1LT, 4 years to CPT, 8 years to MAJ.

[@jamielancaster01]

BOLC? It was called Officer Basic Course (OBC) when I was commissioned.

[@shotty2164]

Basic officer leader course

[@alexanderdiedrich1040]

Can you make a video or touch on in a Q&A about transferring schools while in rotc? Do your scholarships come with you? Do you need to get recommissioned? If you do only the last 2 years of rotc do you still continue to get the stipededs while you finish even tho you've finished the course and been commissioned? What would be the process of all that stuff?

[@MattWard89]

That would be a GREAT question to ask your PMS at your ROTC location.

[@MisterTutor2010]

@6:17 According to those numbers 28% of officers make it to O6 (50% of 70% of 80% of 100% of 100% = 28%).

[@jimgood1949]

No way.

[@evinchester7820]

@@jimgood1949 Depends upon the needs of the service.

[@annietaylorsmith3876]

I went to Jump School at Ft. Benning in 1984 as a USMC 1st Lt. The Air Defense Artillery Army officers I knew (2nd Lt's), said they would pick up Captain in 33 months. In the Marine Corps I wouldn't pick up Captain until 60 months (5 years after commissioning) WOW. Special MOS, Lawyers etc, would only get 1st Lt after The Basic School where as Navy, Air Force and Army officers (Doctors/Lawyers) would get Captain or Navy LT (ie O-3) after their OCS. Semper Fi and All the Way!

[@robstyles2675]

A couple thing wrong already. From 1lt to CPT you can be passed over it's not automatic you have to submit a board packet and get picked up. It is not necessarily automatic if you havent completed something for the board. The only automatic rank is 2lt to 1lt. But to get to CPT and above you have to submit board file and complete requirements

[@robstyles2675]

@Rich 91 it's not automatic there are requirements for all officers to complete. there have been many people passed over and removed from the military it's not gaurentee . its basically based on completing your schools, good evaluations and the needs of the army

[@ricosuave7102]

It sounds like it’s very difficult to get promoted in the army. What exactly are they evaluating you on,how do you complete your job at 100% efficiently?

[@truckerdan2002]

So question if you were a COL and you were put in for promotion! A spot opens up for the 82nd Air Borne Commander. Can you get promoted from COL to MG? Bypassing BG

[@47laro]

Are reserves and on duty personnel have the same time for promotion and pay or what?

[@gerardburton1081]

I guessing that the rank of Captain is a hard rank to get promoted from. What is the percentage of Captains that get promoted to Major? I'm guessing that only 35% of Captains ever get promoted just to Major the next grade.

[@transgendernewsweatherandt8867]

I was stuck with O-3 for 9 years, then retired

[@gerardburton1081]

@@transgendernewsweatherandt8867 I believe that you speak for many people. In the British Army it's also tough to go from Private to Lance Corporal which is one off the bottom. I have met quite a few guys who didn't make Lance Corporal even after several years service.

[@xander.357]

It can depend on your mos. Specialized officers (think medical as an example) are almost guaranteed to make 0-4 and even 0-5 if they stick around because the military needs them.

[@mauricej4781]

Glass ceiling O5 to O6. He's right 2x passover and you're done

[@Kilroy_Wuz_Here]

This is the case for CPT through COL

[@tylerlatham9983]

Is every rotc program infantry lead? Also, I know the Army is putting LTs’ in charge of platoons in bct, would be cool to see a video about that. And, would you recommend going to a community college first and then go into rotc so you can just get some of the core classes out of the way, so you just focus on what you wanna do?

[@paulmandal9314]

Yes, every ROTC program is infantry led. Officer Candidate School (another path to commissioning) also falls under the Infantry School. You can be a Basic PL as a 2LT but it isn't necessarily advisable. It will just push back your "Real" PL time by a year. I talked to my Basic PL about it because I was curious about being an OSUT PL. He said under no circumstances should I do it.

[@raymondjin2000]

Can you do a video on AGR?

[@misomiso8228]

So I found this very confusing - what % of officers in total make it to captain / major / colnel etc? I get 50% of 'eligable; but what does that mean in real terms? ty

[@euphrosyne7386]

Does the us have brigadier or lieutenant general or your generals are just named by stars and what about field marshal do you have that

[@JT-bt6jy]

Yes. Brig generally- major gen- lieutenant gen - General. It’s not called field Marshall. It’s called General of the army. The above it is General of the armies

[@lonewolf6364]

Are the years service in the rank scale guide, mandated or just a guide?

[@MVK_GS]

The problem with Army officer promotions is that an officer gets evaluated on his/her ability to lead from the perspective of two people (rater and senior rater) that the officer never led, will never lead, and - in the case of the senior rater - that officer likely rarely interacted with during the rating period.

[@jakem1014]

If you are passed over twice, but are in a specialized field, do they still kick you out? (I.e. doctor, dentist, etc.)

[@Kilroy_Wuz_Here]

Really glad to see someone making a video to share this kind of information. That said, a lot of the info here is innacurate. Much of the basic info is accurate, but the timelines and details are well off. (E.g. there are TIS requirements for officers as well as TIG. - A CPT will do approx 7 years + or - 1 year as a CPT before making MAJ. A MAJ will do approx 7 years + or - 1 year as a MAJ before making LTC. A LTC will do approx 6 years +or - 1 year to make COL). The 600-3 career paths shown lay it out pretty well, though those are merely a guideline. Only KD jobs are required, and there are jobs that can be KD that are not listed. A nominitive assignment is one you are hand selected for (such as an aide de camp for a general officer) Promotion boards do not look at ALL of your OERs. They typicallY only look back at the last 5. (They can see them all, but they don’t have time to look at them going all the way back). For promotions to MAJ and LTC they only have about 2 minutes to look over each candidates’ packet. A senior rater does not have to rank order all of their people 1-n (though some do). There are 4 “block” ratings on the OER. The only requirement for senior raters is that they are limited to the number of “top blocks” they can give at each grade to 49%. In otherwords a senior rater with 10 ratees (all of the same rank) can only rate 4 of them as “top blocks”. To complicate it even more, that restriction % applies for their entire career, so as people move, they bring their “profile” with them. I.E. If you rated those same 10 people (say they were CPTs) and then moved jobs and only had 3 CPTs senior rated there, you could only top block 1 of them. It is ridiculously complex and requires a complex tracking spreadsheet to maintain.

[@whortle]

b

[@erickellyCF]

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing that. If someone goes to ocs, how long could they expect to remain in grade for 2lt before they have to go before the promotion board? I am in the process myself, and I have heard stories of dudes getting pushed out at 1lt after six years because they get passed over.

[@Kilroy_Wuz_Here]

@@erickellyCF If an officer was passed over for CPT it is because they screwed up. There is no promotion board for 1LT or CPT (these days anyway). Each is an essentially automatic promotion after 24 months time in grade (+ or - a few months depending on the needs of the Army that particular year). The Army does a scrub of each officer's file to ensure that they have not committed some form of egregious act. Assuming they have not received a formal reprimand or a "do not promote" (the fourth of four possible blocks) evaluation from their senior rater, they will be on the promotion list. (Back during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our line was "36 months felony free, and you too can be a Captain in the US Army." (It was only 36-38 months back then because of the wars)

[@erickellyCF]

@@Kilroy_Wuz_Here Thank you for the response, sir. I do appreciate it.

[@vaughncampbell6862]

I’m just wondering how the MS officer in the thumbnail has a Sapper tab.

[@adm812]

If someone were promoted to Captain, would you have to serve a full time in grade for 0-3 to 0-4 before you can retire or just how long do you have to serve after promotion before you can retire?

[@jacobulrich6441]

In order to retire from the military, you must serve 20 years. A person who is promoted to Captain will have served at minimum 3.5 years and so still has a long way to retirement. Most often you’re going to be looking at retirement as a Lt. Col. or Col. I believe. If you’re a captain you just need to finish out your contract and you can receive an honorable discharge. Most contracts will be 4 years or less. An initial service contract will always be 8 years, but part of that will be in a reserve capacity (i.e: 4 years active duty, 4 years reserves). Once your time on the contract is over you can either extend or get out (called ETSing or end-time-in-service) and after 20 years service you can retire which gives you all the benefits afterward.

[@evinchester7820]

It depends. And the situation the Country is in at the time. Use to be in the Guard if you did not have a college degree the highest officer rank you could obtain was a Captain. Then there are those who are caught in the Reduction of Force aka a RIF. They are given the chance to stay in until they get their 20. Knew a man who was a Captain. Got caught in the RIF. Became an NCO. When he retired he retired with Captain's pay. Also seen that with Majors, LTC, and Col. They go enlisted and retire with officer pay. Also the amount of time you may have had in if you were enlisted. Also, if the US Military offers a 15 year retirement. They offered this after the Cold War ended and the military was reducing in size. And around 2011. THEN, if you get DISABLED, you can retire as a Captain if you are Commissioned. Enlisted, you get your enlisted rank. Mind you, you might get more with disability rather than a pension.

[@thetreoman]

Damn is it even worth going in as an officer, when your risking getting kicked out.

[@michaelnaretto3409]

I was an enlisted puke in the Army. One thing I noticed about officers was that the junior ranks were pretty much automatic. Once you get to Major and higher, it's more political. Even more political once you get that first star.

[@pauldarling330]

O1-O5 breath through your mouth. O6 and onward, breath through your nose.

[@jimcottoneye6852]

Matt Ward I was at your ceremony forgot what you were awarded Medal of Honor or a Congressional Or Silver Star or injured and couldn’t attend

[@Joe-pb3bm]

Sometimes they get promoted because they can do less harm (to the mission) at a higher rank. I know we at least knew 1 like that!

[@Goatbitter]

it changed, there is no longer automatic promotion to CPT. All LT's have to be bordered and selected for CPT after 4 to 5 years as a 1LT. it changed back in 2016 or 2017. Also its now 5 to 6 years from CPT to MAJ.

[@NaturalStateDepths]

Yeah and if you're Reserves and go active duty, your date of rank changes to the date you went active duty. My former XO went active and he had around a year and a half in as a 1LT. He basically had to start over. After I took his position, he told me I could possibly make Captain before him now and I've only got 10 months in as a 1LT.

[@ttrivett2000]

Officers also have a reviewer after the rater and sr rater.

[@daniellanders5794]

Reviewers are only required when the senior rater isn’t senior enough in the rating scheme. I started in company command as a 1LT. I couldn’t senior rate without having a reviewer. Generally, it’s unnecessary.

[@ttrivett2000]

@@daniellanders5794 ah ok