Did you promote faster in the military or as a civilian?

Capt Ross Nussbaum — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 21:39:10 -0400

In the beginning, your first (and possibly second) promotion may feel like it was earned because you had a pulse. It could have been earned meritoriously. In general, there is a natural progression whereas a civilian career can lead to a lot of lateral moves, career changes, etc. I want to know about your experience.

Response by Sgt Randy Wilber made Oct 17 at 2017 9:44 PM

Sgt Randy Wilber — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 21:44:09 -0400

In military as a Tanker I progressed from driver to tank commander and went from Pfc to Sgt, civilian work I was a maintenance Repairman and that's it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 9:51 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 21:51:39 -0400

What the heck is a civilian 'promotion'??
Never seen one.
Employees were never allowed to fill vacancies at the next higher level. They hired the HR manager's husband's friend's (etc, etc, etc) NEPOTISM

Response by SSgt Robert Clark made Oct 17 at 2017 10:25 PM

SSgt Robert Clark — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 22:25:02 -0400

I at least I promoted up to E5 before I got stupid and left the AF. In close to 25 years I have promoted ONCE since rejoining the civilian market. I've worked as hard as, if not harder, than when I was active duty but I don't know the "right people". Civilian life sucks, getting out was the worst mistake I have ever made in my life.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 11:24 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 23:24:44 -0400

Capt Ross Nussbaum I made Sergeant in a little over two years. In my civilian career, I was a Database Manager, but advancement was not as important as being part of a team to accomplish mission goals.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 17 at 2017 11:41 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 23:41:25 -0400

Military by design is "up or out" on the AD and RES side. There isn't a civilian equivalent generally. So my Civil Service promotions were more drawn out. Capped both as I didn't want to chase flag and didn't want to chase the SES thing. So in the first case, chasing promotions is a career survival thing and the later case making decisions that put you where you choose, good, bad, or indifferent.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 2:16 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 02:16:34 -0400

From E1 to E6 I was promoted quickly because of my own efforts, it took me 8 long years to make E7, now just got selected to E8 in my 1st look. Is not only based on your performance, but also what you do to separate yourself from your peers. I am very happy that it took me a while to make E7, gave me time to grow, mature, and develop some qualities that otherwise I would not have.

Response by Ronnie Smithwick made Oct 18 at 2017 6:45 AM

Ronnie Smithwick — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 06:45:53 -0400

As a Civilian and as a Recruiter, I have noticed that military resumes do not show growth or promotions as clearly as civilian resumes. Having an extra bullet point that explains your military career progression goes along way when your resume is being looked at by civilians. Ex: "Promoted to X based on my leadership, attention to detail and multi-tasking skills."

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Oct 18 at 2017 9:40 AM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 09:40:05 -0400

I was among the last in my MOS at the time to get promoted to E-4 extremely quickly; even by our standards. I was still checking into my first unit when the ceremony happened. Promotion to E-4 these days is much slower.

Response by Capt Ross Nussbaum made Oct 18 at 2017 9:47 AM

Capt Ross Nussbaum — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 09:47:32 -0400

Great responses from you all. Had a couple of follow on questions based on the feedback:
- Nepotism/Good Old Boy Network: isn’t this the same in many sectors?
- I think the focus o the team and the ability to stay in one civilian position for years, maybe decades, is a STRENGTH of the civilian sector. Some folks are good at what they do and don’t want to move higher. In the military you are either up or out. Some guys I served with wanted to stay NCOs or company grade officers for life and they would have been highly effective and productive that way. Do you agree/disagree?

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Oct 18 at 2017 10:24 AM

CWO3 Randy Weston — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 10:24:06 -0400

In the Navy, I rocketed from E-1 to W-3 in 18 years. Never missed a promotion when eligible. Yes, I worked my butt off, but I also attribute this to timing. E-1 to CPO (9 yrs) was done during the Reagan era in one of the largest rates (MM) while building a 600 ship Navy. Opportunity was ripe!

In the civilian world, my promotions were primarily monetary and not necessarily in title. I advanced in title by accepting new jobs. interestingly, my civilian career changed every 3 to 5 years, new company, new job, different scope. I found myself getting bored at about the 3 year mark, regardless of what I was doing. I would be interested to know if any of you experienced the same thing

Response by 1stSgt Mack Housman made Oct 18 at 2017 1:25 PM

1stSgt Mack Housman — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:25:41 -0400

I was fortunate to progress quickly in both. Education was one of the largest driving factors in both my enlisted career as well as my civilian career. Formal education, whether it was college, certifications, etc...but continuing to learn. Secondly, how you learn to interact with people, whether you like them or not, will determine a great deal when it comes to your upward progression. Third, if you have a problem, always go to your supervisor with at least two possible solutions. People who don't bring a solution are often thought of as the "office whiner". And lastly, it helps to always find the best in every situation. If you loose your temper, you loose respect. Just my 2cWorth.

Response by SP5 Joel McDargh made Oct 18 at 2017 4:53 PM

SP5 Joel McDargh — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:53:50 -0400

Promotion came in the military. In civilian life there was none even though I attended college and took all inservices offered. Not going to lie; I felt like I was punished for being a veteran.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Oct 19 at 2017 8:47 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 20:47:01 -0400

The military is more predictable with few opportunities for "meritorious" selection ahead of your peers, particularly in the Field Grade officers. There are some, but precious few. You also run the potential of getting caught behind a curve where the statutory limit of officers in a particular grade is reduced, or because of a RIF, the time you get in the zone of consideration is reduced due to lesser numbers in a specific grade being required, but generally promotions are more predictable. Although there were some officers selected from below the zone, they are rare and not normally due to the good old boy system, but earned due to particular circumstances.
In the civilian world, it depends upon the dynamics and size of the company. If it's growing and you perform well, there is a chance you will be selected for promotion due to expansion if you are willing to relocate. If it's a smaller organization, you might have to wait for someone to die or retire. Generally, if you remain static, you'll receive a cost of living level raise, or if you were hired at a "probationary" salary or wage, your first and possibly second raises will get you up to what the company feels the position is worth. Good old by network is generally more prevalent in the civilian world in my experience, but not hard to overcome if you are a high contributor to the bottom line.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Oct 19 at 2017 9:59 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 21:59:29 -0400

I was promoted faster in the military. But I find that the military is an easier environment to promote in. Also, the competition is less than on the civilian side as there seem to be more folks in the military (or at least the AF) who don’t seem to want to get promoted. Those who bust their butt in the military get the award, but I am constantly surprised at the number of folks who put in only the minimal effort.

Response by LCpl Richard Brennan made Feb 19 at 2018 4:03 PM

LCpl Richard Brennan — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 16:03:26 -0500

Slow going in the 1950's. I was a Pfc for three years. All my squad leaders during those years, including myself were Pfc's. Made Cpl and became a Section Leader of HMG's. Sgt if I shipped over, but after 4 years I opted for college.