Can I get promoted after I’ve been discharged?

LCpl Ismael Ruiz Rodriguez — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 13:19:07 -0400

So I was on light duty and limited duty for most of my enlistment so I was never eligible for corporal. I did my MCI’s and met score. Is there anything that i can do?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2019 4:54 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 16:54:55 -0400

LCpl Ismael Ruiz Rodriguez You did not make Corporal when you served. You are no longer active duty, so how can you be promoted when you no longer serve?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2019 6:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 18:00:42 -0400

Really weird situation but apparently it does happen, a guy I went to MEPS with recently was somehow promoted in IRR. He left the Marines as a CPL, he went to enlist in the Army and they saw E5 before he did the process for rank determination. He ended up keeping it going into the Army.

A quick google search showed that you’re still looked at for promotion in the IRR (I didn’t know that), I doubt that it happens a lot though.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2019 5:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 17:55:29 -0400

People can be promoted in the IRR. I don't know how the Marines IRR works, or even if you were transferred into the IRR. But, if you were it is possible. I don't know what the value would be to you now that you've separated.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2019 10:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:11:16 -0400

What does it say on MOL ? I would check the rankings for your mos and rank too on mol

Response by SPC Brian Roberts made May 22 at 2020 9:24 PM

SPC Brian Roberts — Fri, 22 May 2020 21:24:31 -0400

I was offered several opportunities to earn rank (by going to school) while in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR), but that all ended when I reached my ETS date and was honorably discharged. I suppose it depends on your official status. If you are Inactive but still “serving”(haven’t reached ETS date), I’d guess it’s possible. If you’ve actually been discharged, your contract is over and it’d probably be the equivalent of getting a promotion at a civilian job/company that you no longer work at -people don’t get promoted that don’t work there. This is all conjecture, logical, but still just an opinion.
So what IS your OFFICIAL status, inactive or have you actually been discharged?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 22 at 2020 9:47 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 22 May 2020 21:47:10 -0400

LCpl Ismael Ruiz Rodriguez Why would you care? Sounds like a crazy question to me!

Did you retain a set of Dress Blues for ‘occasions’?

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made May 25 at 2020 2:03 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Mon, 25 May 2020 02:03:34 -0400

I have never heard of anyone getting promoted after they have been discharged.
A couple of suggestions -
1. You can file an appeal with the Board for Correction of Military Records. This will take a few months and you will have to PROVE you should have been promoted but were not due to some oversight or injustice. Its a high bar to jump over but its possible.
2. You could join the Marine Corps Reserve and make corporal there if all you really want is the satisfaction of wearing the stripes.