How long does it take to rank up in the Army

Curious about how long it takes to rank up in the U.S. Army? In this video, I break down the timeline and requirements for advancing through the ranks, from Private (E1) to Sergeant (E5). Whether you're considering enlisting or are already in the Army, understanding the promotion process is crucial for planning your military career.
What You'll Learn:
E1 to E2: How long it typically takes to move from Private to Private Second Class.
E2 to E3: The average time and requirements for advancing to Private First Class.
E3 to E4: Steps and timeline to become a Specialist or Corporal.
E4 to E5: What you need to know about becoming a Sergeant, including time-in-service and more.
By the end of this video, you'll have a clear understanding of the timeframes and criteria for each rank, helping you set realistic goals for your Army career. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance, this guide provides the essential information you need.
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Making it to Sergeant as fast as you can in the US Army
• Making it to Sergeant ...
Why I was not promoted to E6 before I left the Army
• Why I was not promoted...
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**DISCLAIMER:
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I make videos on topics I have direct experience with as well as indirect experience with to help save some people the time to research the topic on their own. Be aware mistakes can be made as well as changes can be made by the Army. It’s best to use my content as a reference, but if needed you should always talk with an Army recruiter for more information on a topic. The content I create is my own opinion and experiences. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. I also do not represent the DOD and all content in my videos are my opinions.

[@oscah_whisky]

I know some E4s with gray hair. They're honestly the most amazing people.😅😅😅

[@jthavorn]

From what I can tell, if you’re a good solider and staying out of trouble, you’ll usually get a waiver to advance to the junior enlisted levels. I made it to specialist within 15 months in the army but the thing to focus on is not ranking up faster than you’re ready for.

[@sonnyblack3877]

Sir this is Wendy's

[@jamesvandemark2086]

Started out as an E-2, PFC after AIT @ 4 months- upon arrival in West Germany I was dropped into an E-5 slot; SP4 11 months later. Left active duty after 24 total months of the si x-year to inactive reserve. After seeing an ad campaign for prior service people and with my A.A. degree and 1 1/2 years left I contacted a local Army Reserve unit very short of 82Charlies and was spot promoted to SP5 for my last 18 months! Comfy pickup trucks instead of Jeeps & Gamma Goats, too! Things worked out and I had really missed the poker games!

[@heliocentrist1309]

great to see you still making videos. i was watching your stuff back when i was 10/11 and 12 and now i ship for basic next month.

[@sycopath1]

After Basic Training, and AIT training, I was promoted from E-1 to E-2 with five months time in service. Eleven days later the same month I was promoted to E-3 Private 1st Class. My Grandfather passed away in December so I went home on leave to attend the funeral. When I returned 10 days later, and had been the Army now for one year. I was then promoted to E-4, Specialist 4, with a total of one year in service. In six months of time I had been promoted three ranks. I was later promoted to E-5 Sergeant with another 2 1/2 years later.

[@sonnyblack3877]

In one year? I'm calling BS on that. So in 3 half yrs you made SGT? Unless your MOS was severely understaff or 11B, then I'm calling BS.

[@chuckmalone7890]

@@sonnyblack3877 my bosses son tried ranger then special forces finally landed his land nav. He just got promoted to E-5 with 2.5yrs of service. 11B

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

Well, my cousin must have been a real screw up in the Army, he stayed a Spec4 for 3 years.

[@ngunswetrust2A]

I made E-5 in 2 yrs and 6 months, came in as a fuzzy.

[@icjd80]

New army, it was 2 years when I was in

[@markedelheit1661]

As a draftee in 1970, I made Spec 5 in 18 months. My goal was to make E5 because the Army would then ship my belongings home at the Governments expense.

[@Xtremeproducts]

I joined the army as an E4 already had my bachelors degree. 1 term contract now in the reserves and just got promoted to E5.

[@Mr.Meerkat95]

Congrats! How was the board?

[@Xtremeproducts]

@@Mr.Meerkat95 I went to the board when I was at fort Carson. I did it in 2021 or late 2020. I had 1 week to prepare. I was nervous but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Only had to say the first stanza of the creed.

[@JeepWrangler1957]

Why didn't you go for OCS or Warrant?

[@Xtremeproducts]

@@JeepWrangler1957 at what stage? Prior to joining or afterwards? After joining I wanted to get out. Prior to choosing my job I had bad advice at MEPS

[@patrickw9520]

Yeah they don't tell you, if you come in as an E4, you're looking at prob 18-24 months to get promoted unless you got your shit that together.

[@drifttboy1011]

My grandpa retired as a CSM. he went from enlisting E1-E2 in Korea, he made SGM before 62 or 63 I've always wondered how he managed to rank so fast. He was an incredible man. I miss him every day. He showed me as my great grandpa what a man should be

[@bonkonomicon958]

3 years to become a Corporal and still waiting for the points to allow me to become a Sergeant, been about 6 months but I know I will get there soon.

[@GooGooBars1]

Love your videos man. Working on joining Army National Guard rn, but they got me by the jewels with this waiver wait time madness. It was an issue that wasn't in my medical history, but i couldn't hide it either. So i was just honest lol. Kinda regret it. Joining as 11x or 68W idk.

[@terrytaylor5558]

Back in the 60's I was sent to Fort Leonard Missouri for basic training.After that I stayed there for wheeled vehicle mechanic training,after graduation we all became army specialist E4.

[@rongendron8705]

When I was in the Army National Guard in 1964, it only took 4 months to reach E-2! Since I had 4 mos. previous reserve time in, when I started Basic Training as an E-2 & I received $7.00 a month more than the other recruits, who got $78.00 a mo.! It wasn't much, but I must admit that the Army was fair about it! I made PFC in a year & Spec 4 in 30 mos., but didn't go any higher! Sure wish that I had made E-5, at least!

[@MarkCuller-tl2vt]

My son has made Sgt 3 years ago . At 8 years in two things contributed to the 1 he showed leadership potential and 2 his career has been very good.

[@pacifisity]

Thank you for the information! My goal is to go in at e3, grind my bachelors and go from e4 to eo1. Then once I'm eo3 choose whether to leave or go in for the long haul and climb officer ranks until retirement.

[@JeepWrangler1957]

@pacifisity WTF is an EO1?

[@Maverick-gu6uy]

​@@JeepWrangler1957enlisted officer

[@pacifisity]

@@JeepWrangler1957 Just a different paygrade for enlisted soldier going officer

[@zaxaphone4829]

Could you make a video on the roles of warrant officers and other high ranks for Joe schmoes such as myself?

[@Xtremeproducts]

88M Here with a bachelor’s degree & 2 Associates degree (AA & AS)

[@Xtremeproducts]

It shouldn’t take long. But if your unit leadership doesn’t inform you and advocate/push for you to sign up and attend those schools then it’s on you to find out about them by word of mouth. On the other hand they’ll tell you about the schools but when you want to go to them, they’ll have all the excuses to tell you that “mission first bs.”

[@Snargfargle]

I scored well in testing and made E-4 in about a year and a half. That's where I stayed though as it was hard for medics to make E-5. Two of my fellow medics made E-5 but they were prior-service Marines too and were only promoted after they went through the NCO academy and re-enlisted. One went OCS. They offered me E-5 and OCS too if I would re-enlist but I declined. I only went in for the GI Bill, which paid for my first two college degrees. My Army training was helpful though. I went from Army medic to civilian EMT, paramedic, and intensive-care technician before I shifted careers to field biology and teaching. I ended up with five degrees and no debt by using the GI Bill and working in EMS while going to college.

[@GamerChick5567]

Going in as E3 in sept. Hoping I can go to nco school and make corporal and then sgt fairly quickly and get leadership skills since im already old af. 😅

[@golfery5119]

Being old as fuck in the military, especially as enlisted, and especially in the army as opposed to the air force is not a very good idea since the army treats enlisted like children even more than the other branches do. Coming in as an e3 is not going to help you make e4 any faster than someone who joined as e1. You're only advantage is getting paid more for longer. You still got to wait until at least 18 months for waiver to make e4 and still at least 2.5 years for secondary zone for e5 board or 3 years for primary zone. And thats assuming you not only stay out of trouble, but also assuming you don't have toxic and neglectful leadership that screws you out of letting you go to the promotion board

[@TayTayGrace03]

I would love for you to do a dedicated video about how promotions work for officers!

[@christopherchaos]

I might at some point. Would take some research from people I know who are and were officers though.

[@user-sd1oz2sc3q]

I noticed the 4th Infantry Badge in your other videos. Could you share which unit you were with and the year of your deployment?

[@garymathena2125]

I took BNOC by correspondence, it was over 200 books. When I went to PLC at Fort Hood, I met cooks E-6s and even 2 E-7s, they never had the time to go to this basic leader's course because of the shortage of cooks in their pay grade.

[@jeraldbottcher1588]

When I was in - A LONG time ago. I made e-2 in 6 months in, E-3 with 12 months in, E-4 3 months later, Made E-5 in 39 months, E-6 at 66 months. E-7 took another 7 years. retired after 20 in.

[@OldVetUSN72]

In the navy in early 70’s that was pretty much the same time frame . E7 was about 9-10 yr.

[@trevornichols6883]

At the moment in the Reserves, there is no promotion board to make Sergeant just a packet that has to be sent to command. For FYI

[@Donner906]

It depends on your chain of command, and it can depend on what color you are.

[@johnmonteith2415]

I came in as a E1 then while at ait I think I was promoted to E2. Went to Korea and got promoted to E3. After that I was screwed over by a 1st sgt who was there to reduce the force. So after serving 4 years in the army I left as an E3, so yeah I was pretty much screwed over. Knew my job really well had a Major that wanted me to stay but nope I got out. 13F

[@michaelrunnels7660]

Wartime promotions can be much faster than peacetime. I was 11B and sent to Vietnam. Everyone sent to Vietnam was promoted to E-3 as soon as they arrived. Since individuals in a squad left (DEROS) individually, your duties increased as the months went by and promotion to SP-4 was normal. If you didn't screw up it was likely you were assigned as squad leader before your year in Vietnam was up because you were the most experienced guy, shortly followed by promotion to E-5, the proper rank for a squad leader. My promotion to E-5 came when I had a total of just over 20 months in service. I was discharged the day I got back to the states, but was offered E-6 if I would re-enlist for 3 years before I left Vietnam. I never took a leadership course to be promoted, but that was typical wartime procedure when you are in a combat zone. If I would have stayed in I would have had a rough time because I never learned how to be a proper NCO, except in a combat zone. I would have been totally lost at a stateside Fort as an E-5 or E-6.

[@sewwfffyhjijui]

I came in as a PFC and got waivered to be promoted to Specialist due to referring someone to join the Army. I'm currently getting medically separated and I might get disability pay as an E-5.

[@patrickw9520]

Waivers are for waiving a reqt, ie time in grade, or time of service. Some waivers are automatic..... ie completing SFQS on a 18 series enlistment. Only exception to general waiver policies that exists that i know of. Promotion board is waived for 18 series through E6. Basically... 3 factors 1. What Mos/branch of arms you fall under. Combat arms faster more avail promotions, service/support (think admin and hospital types) take far longer. 2. Qualifications/required training/clearances.... these all need done to make it past E4, lower ranks automatic at certain points. 3. Performance.... do well, you get promoted sooner. Do extra training, schools, even doing college classes. There's tons of opportunities avail, and you may have to push your units leadershop to make these happen. Some units more apt to soldiers doing lots of training programs and schools. Filling certain positions and roles as well helps there. Particularly above E4.

[@georgemaxwell3467]

Made 4 in 14 months!! Made E2 6 months in and E3 12 months in and then our unit disbanded 2 months later and our commander promoted a few E1s thru E3s before we disbanded!! I got lucky on that one...

[@knightguard3892]

Unfortunately, my father served in Vietnam and made E-5 five times, but would be busted down, so he left the Army as a PFC. Thank you for your service.

[@James-zg2nl]

I am blown away at how easy and fast it is to make sergeant in the US Army. In my country sergeant is equivalent to E6, and it’s rare to see a sergeant with less than 12 years of service. Most make sergeant around the 16 year mark, and I have seen perfectly competent NCOs take over 20 years to make sergeant. I worked with the US Army a bit… & well, they never really came close to measuring up our standards, to put it nicely. Good people, easy to work with, friendly and all, but lacked competency/training in areas we came to expect from people with over a year’s service and a deployment under them. Even the specialists weren’t all that special, their training competencies were a bit lacking… not a lot, but a bit, compared to our troops fresh out of Battle School: Basic Infantry Qualifications (less than a year’s service).

[@SS-pq3lc]

I was in for 6 years. I liked being an E-4, I was "encouraged" to make Sgt, then SSG.

[@forknspon]

I'm going in as an E4.

[@user-yw8hs8sv9p]

E1 to E6 in 6 years. Movedup quickly due to I was a musician

[@49525Bob]

A little history lesson. In the mid to late 60's. The top 10% of BCT Pvt. E-1s were promoted to slick sleeve Pvt. E-2. Pfc E-3 (mosquito wing,) was at 6 month TIS if you'd stayed out of trouble. Sp4 was at 6 months TIG and 1 year TIS assuming an E-4 slot was available. It would be E-4 Coroporal if the TOE slot called for a junior NCO. E-5 TIS was 18 months and 6 months TIG. Again either Sp5 or Sgt depending on the TOE slot. E-6 was 3 years TIS and 6 months TIG, also depending on the TOE slot it would be SSG or Sp6. Rank back then for EM was on the sleeves where it should be. Not on the collar or on the chest.

[@theplaybros3.013]

Thanks man I leave jun 10th 2024 ty🎉

[@ScrapeBoi1]

Hey I’m interested in joining the Army or Airforce, if and when I join what should I expect and what would i be able to keep after I retire?

[@andrewl6899]

I made E4 mafia in a year. Starting out as E2. E5 took a bit longer. But I was in the National Guard.

[@PJ_Davis]

Not sure how my experience compares to the average or whatever. I got promoted twice during osut(14weeks) thru the excellence in armor program at ft. Knox. I made e5 in 2years 10months with 800 promotion points.

[@randalaviles6144]

Any 68W who can tell me about how are things for promotion?

[@mrjuvy49]

Wow, I went from E-2 in 1968, and became a SP/5 in December, (in Vietnam with wo months in country) I thought that was quick.

[@Black_Cats_Of_War]

You can make E8 in two years in any branch of service if your a friend or family member of the people in charge.

[@michaelol]

I decided to join the Army after years of basically not knowing what I was doing with my life, so i'll be joining at 27 years old. I'm going in as E3 I hope it doesnt take me long to get to E4. I was told im going to be one of the oldest E3 because most people my age had the privilege of getting a bachelors allowing them to get E4.

[@stumpymcstumpstump3503]

Infantry: E5 in minimum TIS/TIG Some other signal/Intel MOS: probably hitting RCP as a 9 year E4P waiting on points to dip from 798

[@hlriiiviiiv]

From the E2 to E5 in two years as 11b

[@iziahbloodsaw1846]

Does the E1 to E2 in six months count if I am in RSP for Florida National guard? I will be in RSP for 4 months from time of enlistment until ship date of 8/20 and I am getting paid for these drills, so does that mean I’m actively getting timed served towards ranking up? Thank you.

[@asvpbillyy2601]

I enlisted as a E2 from referral . would I need to wait the year to be e3 ? or 4 months since I’m be still at ait around 4 months as E2

[@user-rn9vk7uh3h]

Can you serve for 30 years in Us military ? I would love to join but I am worried about the High Year Tenure policy. Imagine working really hard but unfortunately not getting promoted to the rank you need in order to stay in longer. Do you think you can make a video on the High Year tenure policy

[@LOL-kq2dd]

Any 68k's with advice on promoting to e-5? Im gonna be coming in as an E4 with my bachelors

[@christophergonzalez4430]

What about prior service, E4 is n the marines 20months TIG, 3 years TIS how fast would it be to get promoted to E5 in the army?

[@Norbrookc]

To an extent, it also depends on your MOS and how the Army decides its needs. I joined as a PFC (I had a batchelors degree), and made E-4 two months after basic. By year 2 in, I was an E-5. It was about a year later that the Army changed its promotion system, and in my MOS, promotions ground to a halt, so I made 6 at 7 years. If I'd stayed in, I probably would have had that as my retirement rank.If the promotion system hadn't changed, I'd have made 6 two years earlier. If I'd reclassified to one of the short of people MOS's, I'd have been a 7 by the the time I decided to get out, and probably an E-8 or E9 at retirement.

[@DJ_GrimDark]

I'm still waiting to ship but I plan on trying for aviations warrant officer so I can fly helicopters

[@andygamisou]

what about above E-5?

[@user-gm4cy1bc2o]

Made E3 right out of basic. Made E4 4 months . buck sargent right before getting out of service.

[@Envious__]

How long does it take to get to max prestige

[@christopherchaos]

60 years in the Army!!!! Unless you did JROTC in high school, and then it's 2 years.

[@nadiathearmyandcoastguardw6423]

​@christopherchaos Hello, do you have a video on how to sign a Army contract so they don't take someone for a fool. and how will someone know if they are getting good benefits?

[@sewwfffyhjijui]

Hey Mr. Chaos, can you please make a video explaining the uniform policy for honorably discharged, retired, or separated service members from the military? I'm currently going to be medically separated with possible disability and want to know if I'm allowed to wear my OCPs or Pinks and Greens once I leave. Thank you in advance.

[@christopherchaos]

I already have a video on what you get to keep when you get out.

[@sewwfffyhjijui]

@@christopherchaos thank you

[@roberthunter6927]

You can accumulate rank in the army pretty easily. After a while on ops, you will be pretty rank.

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

My cousin must have been a real screw up in the Army, he stayed a Spec4 for 3 years before making E-5 Sergeant. He only made E-5 after he re-enlisted.

[@mjm4455]

I was quite fortunate, I made E-2 at 4 months. Two months after that I made E-3, two months after that I made E-4 and one year after that I made E-5. I'm sure it helped that it was "during war time" and that I was in combat. Seeing all the things the army is doing today, I certainly wouldn't make it in today's army. Thank you to all that are doing it today.

[@mpik1283]

@@mjm4455 what job did you do sir?

[@mjm4455]

@@mpik1283 45J2F Aircraft Armorer.

[@mjm4455]

@@mpik1283 45J2F Aircraft Armorer, AIT was 6 months, graduated as an E4

[@ngunswetrust2A]

Came in as a fuzzy and made E-5 in 2 yrs 6 month. My battle made E-6 in 4 yrs. During A/C

[@Jughead24]

It all depends on MOS. Even amongst combat arms. The fastest path is combat arms and within that infantry or armor. A supply guy or cook, will wait longer. So, the fastest Ive seen was a guy that made E7 at 11 years service. Sniper platoon sgt. Special operators also rank quickly. Again...mos

[@sonnyblack3877]

Man,I rode the Sham Shield for 5 yrs. Served 9 yrs and spent the last 2 yrs as Sgt. GWOT era was the tit's.

[@mommafitbit3701]

What is the lowest rank one can come into the army- like if you had a degree? Then do you have to wait the normal TIS/TIG , or do you promote on 4-6 month?

[@christopherchaos]

You can come in the Army as an E3 with an Associate degree and E4 with a bachelor's degree but still have to wait for TIS/TIG to move up.

[@thepun3721]

takhash the mechanic in the ng, made e6 in 2 years

[@maciekskontakt]

But then when you reached E5 you could apply to Special Forces. Then your path could change if accepted. Is this correct?

[@christopherchaos]

You can actually apply for SF at E3 and if you make selection they promote you to E5.

[@draintheswamp9792]

Got It…..Made E-5 in 1 year 8 months in Combat Arms.

[@temporaryaccount9533]

Does the same ranking system apply to the marines?

[@golfery5119]

The other branches are supposedly slower to promote than the Army is, with the marines possibly being the slowest to promote. The army, even though it is arguably the worst branch next to only the marines, is said to promote faster depending on things like most. The army is the largest branch. I don't know if marines have things like secondary zone and waivers but it might be the slowest promotion out of all the branches, which makes being the marines suck even harder than it already does.

[@robbob5351]

Blows my mind you can get sergeant in 3-4 years in the US army. British army own website states expected after 12 years of service depending on your ability.

[@November441]

There are e a lot more units and more spots for E5 in the US Army.

[@adamhanes4431]

In my mos 19 k where currently we’re at a unique situation we’re they automatically up you to e-5 after years on isppsa due so low numbers unfortunately those who failed to make it before then and get prompted like that have absolutely no business being an nco or a gunner and only promoted because no else was left. I also feel we should use corporal more to promote people temporarily for a few months to see how they do if they do well send them to the board it’s like 15 points for 19 kilo if there a turd knock them back to a specialist.

[@heavymetalsuperhero]

I’m a 19k as well. We’re struggling to get ncos

[@adamhanes4431]

They were asking me about becoming a gunner im like no thank you im chilling on the COs tank as the loader leave me there for as long as you want I avoid all the details no ammo or gate guard no kp or anything like that

[@heavymetalsuperhero]

@@adamhanes4431 damn lucky.

[@therealmisterap]

I was navy, made e-5 in 3 years. e-1 to e-4 was 9-9-6

[@November441]

I was in the Navy as well, made E5 in 3 years too.

[@rickmccarroll9993]

I made E-7 in 13 years

[@patrickw9520]

I made E6 in 5 😂 11 and 18 series. Was on list for E7 at 7 years but didn't reup... they were coaxing folks to reup for E7 st the time hardcore. I only spent a tad over a year as an E5, then got sent up to DIA, and promoted within a month in Baghdad.

[@PetePeterson-so4mh]

E2 to E5 in 27 months in the 70's.

[@davidboatright1060]

E-1 - E-5 Oct 2003 August 05

[@chuckm2893]

I made PFC 3X, It only took me 36 months. 🙃

[@ICardYou]

I’m shipping out July 2024 as a 30-year old with a Bachelors degree and work experience. I know I’ll be coming in as an E4. Do y’all have any recommendations as to how I can rank up faster as I need to raise my pay for my family

[@christopherchaos]

For your situation, you are going to have to wait until you have been in for at least 2 years to be eligible to get to the promotion board. The only way I can think of that could allow you to move up faster would be if you went for Special Forces and made selection then you could advance faster.

[@yaboit3ngu763]

Join as an officer

[@jasonpenn5476]

Being that you already have a degree, your best option is to apply for OCS (Officer Candidate School), If you pass, you will be an officer and if you fail, you will automatically be an E-6, provided that you failed due to a lack of ability and not because of bad actions/attitudes.

[@jasonpenn5476]

@@yaboit3ngu763 You can't just join as an officer, you have to do one of three different options - 1) Attend a Service Academy (West Point/Annapolis/Air Force Academy), 2) Attended ROTC while in a University, or 3) Join Enlisted and then go to OCS (Officer Candidate School).

[@jackcarraway4707]

1. Kick ass on the ACFT and qual ranges. 2. During your free time at AIT, spam the crap out of correspondance courses until you max out. 3. Volunteer for any courses offered. If you aren't hearing anything, ask. Dominate in those courses. 4. Be a giant simp to your leaders when you get to your unit.

[@TomWakeman-ul7om]

Money, Money, and Money

[@mariofan649]

I got e5 in 2 1/2 years

[@georgeacun3619]

Who did you know and who did you blow?

[@joseluisgutierrez4867]

What you have to do to become a lt

[@christopherchaos]

Go to college and complete the 4 year ROTC program or have a bachelor's degree and go through OCS to become an officer.

[@joseluisgutierrez4867]

@@christopherchaos I have a degree in language arts and accounting

[@jasonpenn5476]

@@joseluisgutierrez4867 Best option for you under those circumstances is to join enlisted and then apply for OCS, that is unless you want to go back and earn another degree.

[@christiansmith-of7dt]

It hurts all the time

[@ryans2848]

Isn’t it best to go to officer school if you want more money?

[@christopherchaos]

Ya. You need a bachelor's degree to go officer and make more. Some people want to go enlisted though because that is more hands on with the job while an officer is over more management and office work type of thing.

[@JeepWrangler1957]

As a Marine, I always thought the Specialist rank was stupid and a joke. In the Marine Corps we were specialists (infantry, aviation, comm, motor T) but we kept the E-4 pay grade of Cpl. The Army created Spec 4 through Spec 9 then dumped all but Spec 4? WTF?

[@jasonpenn5476]

There is a long history about the Spec ranks. Originally they were known as Tech ranks and were denoted with a T between the chevrons and rockers (under the chevrons for E4 and E5). Later it was converted to specialist and the intent was that these were individuals in special job functions that do not require leadership. Over the years, the Spec 6,7,and 8 were phased out due to increased requirement for these pay grades to demonstrate increasing amounts of leadership. The main issue was that originally, the Army separated job specialties from leadership positions, but eventually combined them in order to fulfill requirements to downsize while maintaining technical knowledge; for example a Communications Analyst never had to lead troops under the old system, but now, that Communications Analyst is expected to fill the roles of Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, etc. The reason for holding on to the Spec4 is that they are not NCOs (leaders), but a Corporal is an NCO and fulfills a leadership role.

[@rollaritchey9259]

E1 to Buck Sgt. in 18 months. Sadly, it was due to the loss of many of my brothers in combat, and was actually offered SSg. at 22 months, if I would re-up. I decided I would rather stay married!!!

[@ice-cold4342]

You make rank quickly in the infantry in war time.i made E5 in 3 years

[@georgeacun3619]

I knew guys who made E-5 in 2 years being the company commander’s driver.

[@kixuh6314]

Rank up tutorial irl is crazy

[@OpYellowBird]

lmfao

[@rileyfreeman7122]

I’ve been in 5 years and I’m still an E4. I hate NCOs though so I don’t care about getting promoted

[@Xtremeproducts]

I feel your pain. Entered as an 4. After 3 year contract, still an E4 up until two months ago in the reserves they promoted me (time in service but most likely, time in rank).o e avoided them long enough so I think it’s just time caught up to me where I can’t avoid them no longer. 😂

[@jackcarraway4707]

Most NCOs have no business being in their role. Huge reason why I got out.

[@thejman12305]

Be aware army standards are changing due to lack of ncos as of late

[@johnprice5123]

I made E6 in 4 years

[@georgeacun3619]

What MOS?

[@jimmyroberts4333]

Points? What are they? I'm old Army.

[@christopherchaos]

I have a video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pouZqGSpiqyMjpY

[@paulfournier6509]

E1 to E5 in 25 months in early 80's by doing my job and not F-ing up

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

I came into the army as an E-4 ( prior service navy,was an E-5 ) I couldn't come into the army as an E-5 from the navy. 4 months into army service got promoted to sgt ( got my E-5 back ) I was a cook,at the time points for sgt were low and they were promoting any tom,dick and harry to sgt ( most were the worst soldiers I had ever seen ) did 7 yrs in the army,had my E-6 before leaving the army. It was a-LONG-hard,dusty ride in the army,but,it was okay.

[@Dillon41689]

Two years in service as of today. Now i just need to wait for my unit to pin me

[@jurban611]

Notification platoon

[@TokyoJoe3]

Bring back SQTs

[@IronRakkasanCSM]

I ranked up at pretty fast in the Infantry made E-7 in 8 years, E-8 by 12 years and E-9 after 17 years. It depends on the individual and chain of command.

[@paradoesntcare7275]

how long does it take to make rank? well how many points do you have, Oh wait! They just jumped up to 800 again. Try again next month.

[@marceldurand2058]

Cristofer caos 🫡🇨🇱

[@Exvenity01]

ILL SART OFF AS A e4 CAUSE OF JROTC WHOOOOOOOOO

[@christopherchaos]

Best you can get with just JROTC is E3. You need a collage degree for E4.

[@GoonyMclinux]

If you work really hard you never get promoted, if you just pretend to do things and ask for help all the time you get promoted for "trying really hard". 😂

[@nurseactual]

Too damn long, and thats for the military in general. They make it too convoluted, but, thats par for the course with any government entity.