How to get promoted from E-2 to E-5 within 3 years?

2021-03-17T22:11:51-04:00

I want to know if it is possible to make E-5 from E-2 in the first contract and what to do to make that happen

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2021 10:22 PM

2021-03-17T22:22:58-04:00

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member Below is one post dealing with how to earn a promotion. You can search on "How to get promoted", then click on "Answers" to find the other posts about promotions. Know your MOS and Army skills and share your knowledge with others. Do not be afraid to volunteer and always put forth your best effort. Be observant and emulate the best traits of the leaders around you. Never quit. Good luck!

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-can-i-do-to-get-promoted

What can I do to get promoted? | RallyPoint

I see this question frequently on Social Media. When I was the Personnel Assistance Clerk in the Army. People would constantly come into my office with this question. What's funny is that they ask me and without even looking at my rank expect a PFC to know. However, because of my job I owe them the due diligence to research the answer and give it to them.1. Weapons- Since we don't go to the range as often than what people think. You should go...

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 17 at 2021 10:27 PM

2021-03-17T22:27:37-04:00

STAND OUT!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2021 10:50 PM

2021-03-17T22:50:29-04:00

I did it in 29 months.

Be mature
Learn your job
Volunteer
Care about your pt and shooting
Correspondence

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2021 11:00 PM

2021-03-17T23:00:19-04:00

Sure. Work hard. Have the right MOS. Get into the promotion regulation to see how it's done.

Promotions aren't pay bumps, they are an increase in responsibility. A massive increase in responsibility at every rank. As a SGT you aren't just the technical expert for your Soldiers, you also manage their lives to some degree and you are responsible for their screwups and blamed for EVERY SINGLE THING they do wrong. Even if you aren't there.
Soldier blew his money and didn't pay rent?
Your fault, you should have counseled them about finances.
Soldier doing drugs on the weekends?
Your fault. You should have paid closer attention to them.
Your Soldier running a meth lab in the barracks?
Your fault, you should have been doing room inspections.
Your Soldier gets a DUI?
Your fault you failed to impress upon them to have a plan.

If you want to get promoted you need to learn the promotion regulation AR 600-8-19. But to get promoted you need to be selected to be promoted. If you want to be selected you need to be a leader. Find a leader and learn from them

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2021 11:14 PM

2021-03-17T23:14:52-04:00

Learn your job well, expand your qualifications at every opportunity. Given you are a 91A, I would recommend that you do what you can do to pick up D8 and H9 ASIs, and seek out chances on the job to increase/improve your diagnostic abilities, especially with respect to the gun turret drive and fire control systems.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2021 11:41 PM

2021-03-17T23:41:53-04:00

I came in as a fuzzy and got my stripes right at my 3 year mark. Know your job and know it well. Stand out at your unit for all the right reasons. Keep your PT score high and volunteer for leadership roles. It's an easy task but you have to want it. Also keep an eye out for how promotion point are looking. I've seen people wait months to make the list because those points shoot up. To avoid this, take advantage of that sweet free Tuition Assistance and ALMS classes. Search Google for "armyppw" it'll tell you what points you currently have and which areas you can earn more. Good luck too you, and always remember as a leader to own it.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 17 at 2021 11:51 PM

2021-03-17T23:51:21-04:00

There is a lot of great advice here. I will tell you what I noticed out of my sailors that helped me push them in evals and stuff to get advanced...
1) Do your job well. I always remembered the people who screwed things up, but only if it was repeatedly. Everyone makes mistakes, just don't make the same mistake over and over.
2) There is a lot of crap jobs that have to be done in units (I scraped my air share of paint when I was an E-3). Do as many of them as you can. I always remembered as an officer when I saw the same people doing toe "crap" jobs.
3) Help out your fellow soldiers. The teamwork stuff is so important, and thus the we know who is pulling their weight and who isn't.
4) Ask your career advisor or your SGT's for any schools that might be coming up. Ask to go, after you have looked at the requirements to make sure you are qualified, and then make sure you have a plan on what you will do with the skills you learn back in the unit.
5) Stay healthy. There is nothing wrong with going to sick call if you need it, but if someone is a habitual sick call commando, I guarantee that it is noticed. As an officer, I can tell you I am taking heat from above, as well. This does not apply to mental health. Always get the mental health care that you need.
6) Make sure when there are any taskers or requirements passed down, you get them done quickly. Tracking down paperwork and stuff is annoying.
7) Once you know your job well, and can do it, start trying to help out those above you.

Most importantly, have fun. My 2 cents is that anyone who is asking how to get ahead will do just fine. Best of luck to you ! PV2 Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2021 12:15 AM

2021-03-18T00:15:05-04:00

The standard TIS/TIG for promotions are
Primary Zones without waivers---
PV2 to PFC: 1 year TIS/6 months TIG
PFC to SPC: 2 years TIS/1 year TIG
SPC to SGT: 3 Years TIS/12 months TIG

Secondary Zone with Waiver:
PV2 to PFC: 6 months TIS/2 months TIG
PFC to SPC: 18 months TIS/3 months TIG
SPC to SGT: 18 months TIS/6 months TIG

This is pulled from AR 600-8-19, Enlisted Promotions and Reductions

Now, on to your question...Yes, it is possible. You will need to stand out among your peers at all levels in every aspect. You will need to hit all of your PME training requirements as soon as possible. This part can be difficult depending on your MOS. If you are in an MOS that is considered Low Density, then your seats for NCOES are smaller than High Density MOS's. You will need to have max ACFT and weapons score. Max points (as humanly possible) in military and civilian education). Stay out of trouble. Show your leadership you want to lead and can lead...and be READY to lead. I say this because promotions aren't just about getting more pay. If you are wanting the promotions simply for the higher pay, you are going to have bad days ahead of you. Be sure you are READY for the promotions. There is nothing wrong in stating that you are not ready. But, this is where a MENTOR comes in. Find NCOs that you want to emulate. Ask them to mentor you. Stick to them like white on rice in a glass of milk on a paper plate in a snow storm. If you want those waivers (and if memory serves, it's one waiver for TIS and one waiver for TIS...so you would need 2 waivers), you will need to show your Command that you deserves those waivers more than anyone else in the unit. I say this because units are given a set number of waivers for promotions. Waivers aren't candy they can just throw around. It is a finite resource.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2021 2:02 AM

2021-03-18T02:02:37-04:00

I'll be honest with you pri, it would feel good, but I think it paints a bad picture. You have to learn how to lead and before that earn the respect of soldiers. You may out rank them, but if they don't respect you it isn't worth it. As I go I talk and learn about those soldiers that I lead and have an understanding about them and what they want to achieve while serving. Get experience and learn the little thing, always remember that you are a soldier first and for most.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Mar 18 at 2021 2:57 AM

2021-03-18T02:57:55-04:00

PVT, Sometimes doing everything right, and standing out still will not mean you will make Sergeant in 3 years. Sometimes the rank is over strength in your particular MOS and the best you can do is pass the board and go to BLC.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Mar 18 at 2021 4:35 AM

2021-03-18T04:35:22-04:00

I actually knew someone that came close to that, he made E-6 in about 4 years. The trick was, he was in the Army Band and played a instrument that had the position.
What is your hurry to get promoted?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2021 8:56 AM

2021-03-18T08:56:20-04:00

The biggest part to get promoted that quickly is MOS. 3 years is standard for Infantry, Cavalry, some Artillery etc.. Mechanics, Chemical, Finance, Medical Service (except the W), all promote MUCH slower.

Not that I'm saying don't try, by all means do your best, look at your Professional Development Model and apply it, but don't be surprised if it takes a little longer, or is points are maxed for a while, etc...

Response by MSG Bob S made Mar 18 at 2021 7:35 PM

2021-03-18T19:35:26-04:00

Much of making rank that fast has to do with the MOS you've chosen. Parroting what the WO1 below stated your combat arms MOS' generally make rank fast, however they're also quick to take it away too. I was in signal during my first enlistment and grass grew faster than I got promoted. My infantryman cousin went from PV1 to SSG in just over his first 4 year enlistment with 3 total rotations to Iraq & Afghanistan (we ran across each other durng one of them in 2007) and he wound up ETSing because he felt he made rank too fast and never really got to learn before he had to lead.

Whats the hurry?

Response by SFC Tommy Favors made Mar 26 at 2021 6:09 PM

2021-03-26T18:09:38-04:00

Purpose, passion, and focus

Response by SP5 Jim Blakemore made Mar 28 at 2021 2:20 PM

2021-03-28T14:20:51-04:00

I did it in MOS not trained for, but was a lot of good times, and well worth all the self-study.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2021 9:21 AM

2021-03-31T09:21:55-04:00

Yes you can get promoted to E5 within 3 years. I am a 91A and I did it. The key is 1. Know your job. Learn how to troubleshoot that tank. Most SM are just parts replacers. Once your team chief realize you are the best he will shield you and promote you. When you finish one job ask for another task or help out your battles finish there task. The more you do the more your learn. 2 Be on time 15 min prior to everything. 3 Be motivated for PT. 4 Make sure you're IAW 670-1 IE hair cut, shaving and clean uniform.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2021 11:27 AM

2021-04-09T11:27:59-04:00

I have a question ! Is there anyway that my duty station might change after I got an article 15 and that even if I signed for the battle buddy program ?

Response by SGT Stephen Petty made Apr 15 at 2021 12:06 AM

2021-04-15T00:06:34-04:00

All valid comments here but don’t forget about the Soldier of the Month boards. Doing well at the boards will definitely help you get promoted.

Response by 1SG J. Shannon Lewis made May 21 at 2021 8:47 AM

2021-05-21T08:47:20-04:00

I did it in 2-1/2 years. This was the mid-'80s.

Response by 1SG J. Shannon Lewis made May 21 at 2021 8:49 AM

2021-05-21T08:49:17-04:00

I did it in 2-1/2 years. This was in the mid-'80s though. Just be squared away in everything you do and hope you aren't in a MOS that doesn't promote.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made May 22 at 2021 12:54 PM

2021-05-22T12:54:59-04:00

Depending on the MOS, it could be done. One thing though. Being an NCO comes with a lot of responsibility, which is something that should not be taken lightly.