E7 in 7 years?

Its possible but it doesn't mean it makes a great leader. The rate of climbing the ranks is not indicative of a good leader. It just means they got promoted fast.

I think the fastest I've heard of in the Air Force is 11 years.

TSgt Joshua Copeland That depends on the MOS and the initial rank. One of my friends picked up 7 without updating his ERB, having a DA photo, and so on.

I was drafted in late 1969 I got out in Jan 1972 as an E5. I went into the reserves and by 1976 I was an SFC. It helped that I was in during Vietnam as promotions were quicker and in the reserves my college degree helped me get promotions faster.

In my experience in working with sister services, the only E7 in 7 troops were Army and holding the 11 series (infantry) or 18 series (SF) MOS's. It seemed that the rest of the Army MOS's were usually around the 10-12 year point when they made E7. Most of the Marines I worked with made it around that 12 year mark. I can't really say about the Navy because my experience is really limited to the very limited and small career fields. The Air Force seems to be the slowest on average with around 15-17 years in. There are always exceptions, but by and large they are largely that, exceptions.

That being said though, it seems to me like all of the services seem to be on a fairly level playing field time-wise in the E8 and E9 grades.

I will say that the longer I am in (and the more I learn), that in general the longer someone takes, the better prepared they are to succeed at that next grade. E7 in 7 has the potential to cause problems not so much from maturity, but from breadth of experience. I takes a while to really learn and I mean REALLY learn how things work and to be that truly knowdgeable SNCO leader, mentor and advisor. If you would have asked me at my 7 year point if I was ready for E7 I would have said heck yeah. In hindsight though I will say that I would not have been as effective as I am today.

In the end though, it all comes down to the individual and we have to trust the system and work as effective teammates to mentor and develop those who may be a bit out of their depth.

I made 7 in 7 and it was for a small number of reasons. First, I had great mentors, Sr. NCOs and OIC to groom me. Second, I always raised my hand for everything, not because I wanted to do it but I wanted to show not only my superiors but my subordinates what it takes to be a good leader. My 1/1 NCOERs, 300 PT and advanced schooling added to rounding me out and getting promoted. I too was on the dark side, but it was still extremely competitive for promotion there as well.

I made 7 in 7 as a 25B with no special schools. It was my second look. I think now that there is a 3 year window for 6, its probably a lot harder to do.

Navy average to E7/CPO is 8-15 years.

I noticed that when I attended the CPO Academy that many chiefs were young and had as few a 1 service stripe indicating less than 8 years of service. It used to be rare, but turnover has been heavier in the last 10 years or so. In the CG and probably in the Navy, it really depends on your rating. Some rates progress quickly due to high turnover while others are top heavy. It is shocking at how inexperienced some E7s are. I always encourage people to hang on to E5 as long as they can to get as much practical experience as possible.

So much of it just depends on your particular career field. Of course there are some high/stellar performers in each career field, but in an over strength MOS even the best performer is going to take longer to get promoted, so in some regard it's just a little bit of luck. That being said though, as possible as it may be, it's certainly not "common". Back in 2004 though, I did have a 22-year old SSG in my Battery that made E-6 in 4 years. I also just happened to be in an under strength MOS that allowed be to "fast track" and I made SGT in 27 months, at the age of 20. I was on track to make SSG in 4 years as well but converted to the "dark" side before I was eligible. I also knew a SGM that had made it in 14 years TIS and another that did it in 15 years.