Posted on Aug 21, 2016
LTJG Ansi Officer
297K
2.81K
1.1K
655
655
0
Edited 9 y ago
Avatar feed
Responses: 681
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
Maj Neal Jackman
2
2
0
I had a Marine SSGT working for me who had several meritorious promotions and early promotions. He was then told he didn't have enough TIS to make Gunny even though he had the TIG. His only choice was to apply for the WO program. He was outstanding in every aspect of his performance, and respected by his peers. I would write 2 Fitness Reports for him. One to go to HQMC and one to work on skill sets, and non graded skills. He had been told he "had to wait for others with the same TIS to catch up" to where he was. What is the point of rewarding someone who has the maturity and skills to be a top NCO and then kill the motivation by saying you moved too fast. If we are truly recognizing the outstanding young men and women then we need to recognize the very thing that makes them outstanding is going to force them into the civilian marketplace.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Donald Walton
2
2
0
Absolutely. Rank comes with privileges, because it also comes with responsibility. If you do not spend time learning what your current rank is and why it functions that way, you can't really lead those in that position. Also you should spend time as a junior to learn what not to do as a leader. If you suddenly find yourself above people who have more experience than you, you can make a lot of mistakes that can cause some serious consequences. There is also a maturity level that should be achieved prior to making rank. Unfortunately, this has gone to the wayside, instead we look at records and tests, to get a look, and we never really get a solid look at a person. I would suggest that rank increase be pushed down to regions or commands, instead of some room thousands of miles away.
(2)
Comment
(0)
2LT Clyde Bauman
2LT Clyde Bauman
6 y
I was in the Army from 1964-1972. Spent 1st 6 yrs as an enlisted. Made E-5 in 3 years. MOS 34D20, ADPS Repairman. Viet Nam. 1968-1970 Germany, promotion frozen. Applied for OCS. Went, graduated 0-1, 2nd Lt, INF. Assigned Ft Hood, TX. 2nd Armored Div. Had a great Plt Saergent, E-7 Rivera. Showed me the ropes of being an infantry leader.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
PO2 Mark Turnquist
2
2
0
No, there is a longer term to serve for early advancement. Tricked for 6 months.
(2)
Comment
(0)
LTJG Ansi Officer
LTJG (Join to see)
9 y
What?
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Jo Ann Klawitter
1
1
0
A similar thing happened to me when I was in the USAR While I was going to school
They promoted me so fast and got into management which I did not like so I asked to be transferred back to radiology, which is my field and what I was told they would take away my rank
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CSM Arthur Phillips
1
1
0
I was promoted to E-6 in five years and E-7 in seven and half years. Retired as a Command Sergeant Major after 26 years. I agree it is a case by case. During the Vietnam era the army had a program that we referred to as “Shake & Bake E-6s”. Completed basic training, continue to AIT and on to another six months of advanced infantry training and if successful they were promoted to E-6 and shipped off to Vietnam. Unfortunately, many of them did not come home alive.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl George Matousek
1
1
0
I made E4 in 15 months in the Marines. So no I don't think you can make rank to soon, you would not bepromoted if you didn't desere it. Semper Fi
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Multimedia Illustrator
1
1
0
I think there is such thing as making rank to quick… there’s a pretty decent different expectation as an E6 then there is as an E5 and depending on units and MOS you may miss a huge opportunity of learning and development as a leader and dealing with soldiers that you won’t be able to take with you further up the food chain.. I made E5 at my 8 year marker then 1 year later I was a 6 and was put into AIT as an instructor. Even though as a 4 I was specialist and corporal and did my fair share of E5 NCO business with leading and developing soldiers it’s a whole other ball game when you have SGT stripes backing your actions and what not. So I even think that I promoted to staff sergeant to quickly after pinning Sergeant and I missed out on potential great learning experiences. Now as an E6 I’m expected to be a well oiled and diverse adaptable machine but for about a year I was inadequate as an E6 and I’m okay with saying that and owning my mistakes but I was inadequate because I jumped into a category quicker than my time was. Also the age and experience I think that is needed from an E6 when so many people will be looking up to you for guidance and answers will leave you as an inadequate leader that if you don’t work extra hard to fill that gap you could find yourself exiled into something that leaves you subpar with basic NCOERs that are not gonna help you later unless your MOS just promotes like that lol.

Anyways, yes I think there’s such thing as promoted to quickly and if you don’t bust your ass to fill that experience and dedication and knowledge gap it can horribly affect your future.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Nancy Gwinn
1
1
0
I would have to agree. I advanced quickly as well. As a young first class I was not prepared for the decisions I would need to make.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Mitchell Smith
1
1
0
I fast tracked 7 in 9, that was good for transportation....stayed 7 for 7 years and pinned 8 a year later.

When I reached the 1SG seat and also sitting in for the CSM with COC, Battalion, - Brigade staff meeting etc, I was seasoned and was able to handle myself.

I believe you need a 'little' time behind Senior ranks. In my last years in the changing of the promotion system, I witnessed a lot of Seniors getting in trouble. Don't get me wrong there are some that can handle it and do a great job...IMHO.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Michael Farrell
1
1
0
Yes. Much of the time it's caused by market forces. I was in a high growth MOS that nobody really wanted to be in. As a result, the Army forcibly re-classified most of the soldiers in the Corrections Facility NCOs into the Chemical Corps. Utterly different requirements, utterly different tools, utterly different people, expectations and responsibilities. A very few made the transition and did reasonably well. Quite few did not. So, if the way to achieve attrition is the goal, transfers and involuntary reclassification will work if all you want to do is sort out some people. As for Candidate Martin, I had a similar experience, but I did not feel that I missed anything until I was a First Sergeant and spending a lot of time in motor pools. I have almost no mechanical aptitude, so I learned a few things to always check and make noises at if I understood and to ask questions if I didn't.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

How are you connected to the military?
  • Active Duty
  • Active Reserve / National Guard
  • Pre-Commission
  • Veteran / Retired
  • Civilian Supporter