Can my rank be changed from E-3 to E-4 during basic?

Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:58:34 -0500

I just graduated college in December but it won't show on my transcript until January 18th. Problem is I ship to basic on the 14th. Can I get a family member to send over my updated transcript so I can get E-4 during basic?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2020 1:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 13:04:31 -0500

No, what is on your contract is what you will receive, and what you are authorized. You would have to go back to MEPS and renegotiate your contract

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2020 1:13 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 13:13:35 -0500

I would like to say however, if your family sends you your transcripts while at Basic, the DS can submit it so you can be promoted to SPC. I've personally seen it at Fort Leonard Wood.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2020 1:18 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 13:18:37 -0500

Not sure if the Army is like the Air Force, but we can't get E-4 until we hold an AFSC at a 5-level (in most cases). That means, that, upon graduation of BMT, we can put on E-3, but have to wait until graduation of tech school (AIT), and then completion of the first set of CDCs (Career Development Courses) to obtain that 5-level. Whether we have a bachelor's as masters, or not.

Response by SGT Ken Eidinger made Jan 10 at 2020 7:48 PM

SGT Ken Eidinger — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 19:48:05 -0500

Ask the school if they can expedite it directly to MEPS regardless. Talk to your recruiter about renegotiating the contract, maybe you qualify to become an officer now. Good luck!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2020 9:28 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 21:28:48 -0500

Yes, it is possible. It all depends on your DS, Company, and more importantly, the documentation and contract. We did have one Soldier in this exact situation and he was promoted a few weeks prior to graduation.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jan 10 at 2020 10:44 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 22:44:20 -0500

College boy huh... make sure you tell your Drill Sgts... and feel free to correct them on grammar or other mistakes they might make... shows them you have leadership skills...

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jan 11 at 2020 1:04 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 01:04:20 -0500

Consider yourself lucky to have been able to enlist as a PFC. You will make E-4 when you make E-4. The key to success in the Army, or life for that matter, is not focusing on your goals but focusing on what you have to do to achieve those goals. That's the difference between dreamers and doers.

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Mar 19 at 2020 2:49 PM

Cpl Charles Trump — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 14:49:36 -0400

Frankly I'm not in favor of a boot e3 that hasn't made training even. The USMC had a program like that years ago. Automatic Corporal. Nahh! The experienced 4s and 5s are gonna rag you out. Your going to get to your 1st unit and not know what a E4 should know. Corporals are Team and even squad leaders. Your not going to know tactics and instructing and have troop handling abilities your gonna need. It's a bad practice, for the poor individual and the services!

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jul 26 at 2020 12:29 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 12:29:57 -0400

It is possible with a 4187. I tried it and failed, but succeeded shortly after I got to my first duty station, while I was still technically an IET Soldier. It depends on your chain of command and your NCO support channel. Note also that I never got back pay, nor was my rank backdated despite what the 4187 said.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jul 27 at 2020 6:52 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 06:52:17 -0400

Don't mess with anything you have setup already. I think you might have another option here. The Army has an established path for correcting mistakes made at the MEPS or by your recruiter at time of enlistment. This however is not a mistake but a timing issue. Still I would give this a try. Let everything proceed as it is currently setup. When you get to your first Active Duty unit, file a claim online via the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. Explain what happened, that you graduated college prior to your ship date but could not prove it to the MEPS via transcripts because of a timing issue with release of the transcripts and your ship date. In effect you qualified for an Army program prior to actual swearing in to Active Duty but because of timing you could not prove it. I am pretty confident the Army will see things your way and amend your contract and date of rank and issue back pay. Give the route a try before you get all worked up about this (I did it myself way back in the 1980's and it worked for me). The Army is pretty reasonable and fair as long as you do not do something stupid or irritate someone. Even if the Army Board refuses your request there are no negative ramifications for trying this so you have nothing to lose. Otherwise I totally agree with SFC Boyd, this is so minor and you will at some point probably get a promotion waiver in your career so if it doesn't work out via the Army Board........it is nothing to lose sleep over. Don't file this claim until you get assigned to your first Active Duty unit because the process of review takes 90+ days sometimes and you will be out of Basic or AIT by the time they send their answer to you. Potential there to miss their response back. Just be patient and file when you get to your unit. Army Board for Correction of Military Records. They should have a website on the public internet or via AKO behind AKO security. You will need to send them both your college transcripts and a full copy of your enlistement contract because they need to look at dates on that. This would be the part of the contract that is stamped by the MEPS and provided to you on your SHIP date. Back in my day it was all on paper, it is probably all electronic now. The Board needs access to both transcripts (official only and stamped by university) as well as your contract date with the ship date on it.

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Jul 27 at 2020 8:58 AM

Cpl Charles Trump — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 08:58:01 -0400

This automatic Corporal biggest mistake! The Marine Corps did it back in the day. U dont need unseasoned E4. That needs to stop!

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Jul 27 at 2020 10:40 AM

SPC Matt Ovaska — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 10:40:55 -0400

Why on earth would they give you E4 in boot camp.