I recently arrived at my first duty station and will pick up E-3 Nov 1. What is the soonest I could make SPC or CPL with a waiver?

Don’t sweat it. Focus on learning your trade, seeking self improvement; few Soldier of the Month boards here and there. You’ll get promoted.

AR600-8-19. Section2-3. Rules say 18 months TIS and 3 months TIG. I highly advise if you want that waiver, go to armypubs.army.mil and start looking at some of the regs. Start with 600-8-19 and get the whole picture. Know what you're up against, but then keep going. Regs for uniform wear and appearance, conducting PT, and so on. Even if you don't get waived to Specialist you'll be a better Soldier and a shoe in for Sergeant. Good luck.

1. Depends on your unit's MTOE- how many SPC slots are open. 2. Damn few CPL's in the Army these days. 3. Very few waiver floating around as well- you have to be a water walker. Don't sweat- lean your MOS and excel at it- that will get you promoted.