How long can you be a corporal without being promoted?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:54:18 -0500

Is there a certain lenght of time or regulation for how long you can be a corporal?

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 21 at 2014 3:34 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 15:34:24 -0500

CPL/SPC(P) hits Retention Control Point (RCP) at 12 years Time in Service (TIS).

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jun 20 at 2018 1:04 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 01:04:12 -0400

I think the current RCP for an E-4 is 10 years TIS. For what it is worth - I was an E-5 for 15 years - possible a record.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 20 at 2018 11:33 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 11:33:54 -0400

1. RP was 8 yrs when I was in for all E4's. You can be a CPL till you are boarded and have the required promotion points- which can take a damn long time in some MOS's.

Response by Cpl Ronald Peters made Oct 16 at 2022 3:40 AM

Cpl Ronald Peters — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 03:40:47 -0400

On February 1st 1986 I became a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. I was a Teletype Technician working on all forms of Ground Communications with 1st Bn 5th Marines knowing the limited number of Teletype and Fax equipment a Grunt Battalion had. On January 1st 1987 I was one month short of my Time in Grade for Sergeant. However Congress did not pass a udget and a previous approved act called the Graham-Rudman Act after the 2 Senators kicked in freezing all Pay and Promotions until a budget was passed. I had the poi to for Sergeant but needed one month Time in Grade. While the freeze was on the Marines decided to split change the MOS adding a Computer Technician and extremely limiting the Teletype Numbers. The "need" dropped from 2 per Battalion and 5 at the Regemental level to one at Regement. From 14 to 1. When the freeze for everyone was lifted there was no more cutting score for me to obtain. I spent 7 Years and 21 days as a Corporal.
Many friends of mine that were Radio Technicians were Staff Sergeants. The pay stayed that of Corporal and upon changing units I had to prove myself but that was never a problem because I was a Leader and it showed. I knew ever piece of Communication gear we had and hummed the M60, PRC 77 Radio and KY 38 Crypto equipment on every March with my Grunt Brothers. I was the Only Corporal in the Marine Corps to be a Battalion Communication Technician Chief. Others were Staff Sergeants and Gunnys. The Bottom line is Leaders Lead and it shows in their confidence and in the confidence that their Marines have in them.
I was the Grand old Corporal of the Marine Corps when I left the service on February 22, 1993.