Any advice for getting waivered to E-4?

Short and simple? Be awesome. When I was the 1SG, I always kept tabs on my rockstars and my duds. Whenever I had waivers available, I always kept an eye out for my rockstars' eligibility. Just be awesome day to day. There's nothing "special" you need to do. You either deserve it day to day, or you don't. Don't try to fake the funk, that generally ends up coming out in the wash.

You competition is every other PFC in your unit that needs a waiver. If the other PFCs are going for Soldier of the Month you should be right there with them, besting them. Same thing for weapons qualification, PT test and anything else your Platoon Sergeant can use as demonstrated evidence with the First Sergeant when they are discussing who is most deserving of the waiver.

Every PFC who was up for one had to take a written test. I tied with some dude, so sometime in the middle of the night before a patrol, me and said dude got woken up by our platoon sergeants and taken to the 1SG's trailer. Then we had a "front leaning rest" competition where whoever could hold themselves up longest would get the waiver. I wasn't about to lose to the CO's driver, and left out of there with a waiver.

It is your supervisor who has to see you shine and then share that with the COC. Most Cokpany level elements discuss available waivers at Platoon level. Waivers are not available every month. The 1SG creates a standing list from these conversations and when a waiver is available they select from that lists. Make yourself know through hard work, professionalism, respect for others and training this subordinate to you. Thank you for your service.

What you have to do depends on the number of waivers available. I’ve had discussions with my commander about what it would take for members of my platoon and it’s literally a moving target every month.

Be the best soldier you can be - excel in your tasks and do what you need to do before you’re told to do it. Be successful with PT and offer to help other soldiers. Volunteer for schools and additional duties even though you may not have enough rank for them.

Asking others is the right first step! Keep up the good work and you will excel, just be patient with the system.

Earn your EIB or your Ranger Tab. I have not seen waivers for other reasons.

I had a buddy who entered the marine corps as an E-1 and made it to E-6 in like 4 or 5 years, then commissioned as a warrant and made it to WO-2, then commissioned as an officer and made it to O-4. This all happened in 22 years, which is remarkable. He said every place he went he let his commander know he was willing to accept all assignments. As soon as the commander said they needed volunteers for the weekend, his hand shot up. A commander's job isn't easy but if you make his life easier you will usually be rewarded. I agree in some respects to SFC Michael Hasbun, just be awesome, every single day, but also go out of your way to give extra and you will also shoot up in rank.

Do the best at PT, Weapons, and MOS! Oh and volunteer!

A simple answer is to be you and lead others by the best example of you. If you are a natural trainer or teacher, be that for others, regardless of their rank. If you outshine others in APFT or weapons or Soldier Skills, be the example and mentor for others who are struggling in those areas. Promotions come to those who reach out to be of service to and for others so that the entire unit, team, and mission succeed without a hitch. Take on the additional duties in areas that fit your personality. You have already been made ready for the next grade, and then the next, and so on. You answered the call to be part of something greater than yourself already. Remember why and you go be the greatest you for the greater good of all in that.

Just do what you're supposed to do and be where you're supposed to be; right time, right place, right uniform. I entered the Army in June 2015 as an E-2 with college credit. Got a waiver to E-3 in January 2016 then another waiver to E-4 in December 2016. I didn't do anything special. Just did my job as a 92G and excelled at it. Didn't work on my college degree. Didn't score high on the APFT. Didn't try to, as SFC Hasbun said, "Fake the funk." I just did me and my superiors saw it enough to hand me a couple of waivers. Left as an E-4 Specialist in October 2018. (Thinking about going back in, but in a didn't MOS field)