Posted on Feb 26, 2015
SGM Senior Adviser, National Communications
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Posted in these groups: Leadership abstract 007 LeadershipStar Promotions
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Maj Chris Nelson
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Date of rank still means something as it pertains to longevity. Not on a pay scale type of longevity.... It is important to help determine when you are eligible for next promotion if nothing else. Also, with that trend of thought, if there are 2 members that are otherwise equal, select the one that is senior as that person is closer to promotion (based on date). Just my $0.02....
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Capt Retired
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Edited >1 y ago
I once witnessed an argument between two LT Cols. It got fairly heated and the senior (I assume he was senior) asked "What is your date of rank Col?"

The answer ended the argument. "6'2" and 210 lbs, what's yours?"
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LTC Professor Of Military Science / Department Chair
LTC (Join to see)
10 y
Sometimes - you just have to reach down into your lunchbox and pull out that "can o' whoopass".
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
>1 y
That May well have ended the argument !
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Capt Retired
Capt (Join to see)
>1 y
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - Actually yes, it did.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
>1 y
Capt (Join to see) - Usually I found date of rank determined who was in charge but I've experience a few exceptions when i was put in charge over some others more than once as they had more confidence in Me than those individuals even though they had the time in grade advantage. That wasn't My decision though but made from those Senior to Me. I've even had one case I outranked an individual and was placed in charge over him.
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SSG Robert Burns
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There's a huge difference in an E6 who has been in for 4 years and one who has been in for 13 with 5 or more years time in grade.
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SSG(P) D. Wright Downs
SSG(P) D. Wright Downs
10 y
Date of Rank is important in protocol situations. It is also important when it comes to making assignments within a group situation such in an office environment. There are also those who get up set when one person is put in charge over another. Date of Rank is one way of using fairness.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
10 y
You pretty well have it SSG D. Wright Downs. I have been in a number of assignments where I held positions superior to others of senior rank, and have had assignments the were the opposite. (Didn't much like the second type). Lots of factors, but there are times that rank has to take a back seat.
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SSG(P) D. Wright Downs
SSG(P) D. Wright Downs
10 y
I agree. I twice had to perform duties 3 ranks up for extended periods. On the second time, when the person of the rank came in to fill the slot, he was not capable of doing the job. Since it was in a major Command, I continued to doing his work and mine. He did not fall in step and pick it up. Finially, when a new officer came in and bragged he had a SGM, I stopped doing double duty, and let him carry the responsibility of his senior enlisted person. I found there were places where the new officer needed assistance, too. He was very abrupt when I gently made suggestions since it was his first time in the job. My expertise was not going to be there forever and when it was being ignored, I decided it was time to take leave I had accrued. I had earned an MSM and got Wegewood. Prior to that I had worked were out standing people in that command.
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MGySgt James Forward
MGySgt James Forward
>1 y
You won't see any Marines making SSgt at 4 years TIS, DOR and TIS is always going to be the determining factors for the SNCO promotion zones. Just took a look at the last SSGT Promotion results; TIS ranged from 2007-2011 (9 to 5 years) and TIG ranged from 2011 to 2014 (4 to 2 years). Many MOS were closed to promotions so those will have many senior Sgts waiting. This is the main promotion zone only, the above zone runs much higher in TIS/TIG. Not really a valid question for military folks to even ponder. Don't matter to civilians at all. Semper Fi.
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Is Date of Rank outdated?
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CPT Hhc Company Commander
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Date of Rank still bears some significance when establishing promotion potential or assignment. Likewise, it should bear effect on evaluations, as I don't think a freshly promoted E-5 just assigned to a squad leader position would have the same experience as someone that has served in the same positions for such a time.

Otherwise, I don't think it carried quite the significance for the most part among peers. It may be used in jest, but I've yet to see someone say "AHHA, but I outrank you by DOR!!!"

If they did, they would likely be looking for a quick throat punch.
v/r,
CPT Butler
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SGM Senior Adviser, National Communications
SGM (Join to see)
>1 y
Among officers, West Point has earliest DOR, followed by ROTC, OCS, Direct Commission; hence just as with enlisted corps one might be considered earlier for promotion, command, etc.
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SSG(P) D. Wright Downs
SSG(P) D. Wright Downs
10 y
And, do not for get this when seating people for ceremonies. When I worked in PAO in major commands, this was very important concerning change of commands nad other ceremonies where there would be General officers from Corps or higher. We had all their information and it was used in seating---and do not seat anyone higher than a Captain behind a tent pole if the ceremony was held outside and there was a hint of rain.
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MGySgt James Forward
MGySgt James Forward
>1 y
SGM (Join to see) - I don't think that is entirely correct, US Code 741 Rank states the procedures for DOR which is set by the Service Secretaries. No where does the the Academy, college, ROTC come into the equation. Officers have a precedence # that racks and stacks them by year group and DOR. Seniority is based only upon DOR and TIS. Sorry Ring Knockers, it's only a ring. Semper Fi.
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LTC Cavalry Officer
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Date of rank is important for pay, as well as where you are in your professional career.
A captain who just pinned on is (usually) not the same as a captain who is being looked at for major after 7 years experience.
In looking at individuals for different jobs, I want to know how long they have been their current rank, it helps me get a feel for their experience. Of course I will still talk with them, but date of rank gives expectations.
In terms of figuring out who is the 'ranking' individual, I haven't seen this much being necessary, usually it is based on the job, not necessarily the date of rank.
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SGM Senior Adviser, National Communications
SGM (Join to see)
>1 y
LTC Purvis, yes indeed...and also for drawing the cut off line for promotion zones. However, West Point DOR is first, followed by ROTC, Direct Commissions.
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LTC Cavalry Officer
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
SGM (Join to see), I had heard about those distinctions, but as a December Grad from ROTC I never really looked it.
Of course I did see other officers with different dates in the same month for their promotions, but since I've been offset, never really was concerned with it.
06 Dec - 2LT
23? JAN - 1LT (think it was linked to when I came on Active Duty)
01 Feb - CPT
01 DEC - MAJ
01 Nov - LTC
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LTC Retired
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All comments above discuss pay, promotion, etc but forget about evaluations. As a Division Chief, I supervise 3 LTC's who have date of rank on me and by regulations I can rate them. But who wants to be rated by an officer junior to them. So in the end date of rank does matter.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
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Facepalm implied
Seriously?
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SGT Jim Z.
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Date of Rank is not outdated and when computing retirement points and benefits it still plays an important role. I also believe someone who just got promoted is not an equal of the crusty old E-x or O-x whatever.
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MAJ David Vermillion
MAJ David Vermillion
>1 y
Every rank has a date of rank, how do you get a rank without a date of rank. Even if they just threw dates of rank out there, you would have a date of rank. It does serve a purpose. My point is we need them.
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SGM Senior Adviser, National Communications
SGM (Join to see)
>1 y
Yes, a DOR has a basis as does an Effective Date, which is not the same.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
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I have seen it used (AF wise) to determine who is going to be NCOIC in a shop with two people the same rank.
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SFC Acquisition, Logistics & Technology (AL&T) Contracting NCO
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Instead of date of rank, shouldn't key leader positions be slotted by leadership potential? Experience is extremely important, but if I have to choose between 2 E4's on who is going to be a team leader, DOR may play in, but it is not the sole discriminator.
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