Its time to change Time in Service and Time in Grade requirements for PVT through SPC?

I think the current system works pretty well but if there were to be a change and becoming an E-4 was supposed to be more rigorous I think there should be more use of the corporal rank. And if that is the case then we should probably also bring back the higher specialist ranks. The reason the rank system in the Marine Corps works so well with is that E-3's are often team leaders and are given responsibilities. In the Army this often isn't even the case with E-4's. So I think the issue might have more to do with how responsibility in the Army works more so than what rank someone holds.

I have to say that when I get a new grad, the last thing they feel is they are just one rank below Sergeants.  They are actually terrified.  When my PFC's make SPC, it's a pretty big deal and a LOT of responsibility.

I don't think rank is the problem I think more responsibility needs to pushed onto these ranks especially E-4 as this is the last rank before taking on the NCO ranks. I felt that when I was in other NCO's in my unit did a good job of putting some of the leadership role on me. The 'OK SPC what do I do now' scenario was always at play and I had to have my brain in the game. On the other side I would see my friends from other units just being oxygen thieves sitting in a Humvee getting a sun tan.

The same could be said all the way through to E-7 or E-8. We've all seen soldiers who get promoted quickly later struggle because of a lack of TIG to develop and hone their skills as leaders. Experience is vital to produce well-rounded leaders, and sometimes experience takes time. I was fortunate to go through E-1 to E-4 on Active, and my Sergeants piled on the responsibilities, mentored me, and prepared me for success. I've been promoted to E-5 and E-6 in the Guard, and in a lot of ways the extra years in grade have been very beneficial.

I was a pilot for an allied air force, I had 2 bachelors and close to 20 years of work experience when I enlisted.

My recruiting station CO and NCOIC had me all set to come in as a SPC with endorsements and letters to go Green to Gold or WOCS/Flight School as soon as I was done with AIT.

Somehow, my packet with the transcripts and letters were lost at Reception Bn., so when it was time to in-process for initial rank of entry...I was put in as a PVT/E1.

After finishing basic and AIT, by the time I arrived at my first unit, I was a PV2.

My CO and leadership couldn't believe the combination of qualifications vs. low rank, but regulations are what they are, so instead of early promotions, they put me in positions of responsibility.

As a PFC as I was placed on orders as Unit Armorer (by MTOE an E6 slot)
As a PFC I was recommended to be an Apache 500 hr Phase Inspection Team Leader after I ended working alone on another Apache Phase Inspection with then Phase Team Leader. (Brigade said no but they took notice)
Then as a SPC I was sent to ASIST training to be a gatekeeper. (Everyone else was E6 and above)

I was sent to the Board at 27 mos TIS and 4 mos TIG. Passed it, made points shortly after and here I am.

Moral of the long winded bio?

Sometimes not everyone has to come in as PVT. Life experience sometimes matter a lot more than a rank.

Most of what a new soldier does at its first duty station is mop the floor, clean the latrines, take the CO and 1SG trash, etc. So the suggestion of keeping them in rank longer so they can "learn the ropes" is not necessary or fair from my point of view.
The current system of zones is working fine. Mediocre soldiers will stay in rank longer, good soldiers advance in PZ and exceptional soldiers make it on SZ.

Just my $0.02.

This looks like another solution without a problem.

TIS doesnt equal effective leadership capabilities. Some people get promoted too fast and become toxic but I think the system we have now is just fine. Its more so on our leaders to get out of the "good ol boy" system and stop recommending "trash" to be future leaders.

I'm inclined to go with the "double pay grade" system.

To make E-2, minimum 4 years TIS.
E-3, 6 years TIS.
E-4, 8 years TIS.
E-5, 10 years, E-6 12 years, E-7 14 years, so on and so forth...

We need to ensure that people have the experience necessary to hold the grades they are assigned, or, to paraphrase, "you can't teach what you don't know", and mentorship/instruction/training is one of our primary purposes/duties...

Wow. I made SGT in 3 years. In this system, I would have been a PFC. I am so incredibly happy I joined the Army when I did...

I've been saying something similar to this for awhile. I think we should adopt a similar system to what the Marine Corps uses. E1 - E3 is essentially automatic but you, aka THE SOLDIER, would have to work his or her butt of and earn E4. I think we'd have a lot less screw ups if they had to work for the little bit of rank they have instead of it being handed to them.