What rank did you hold the longest?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:36:47 -0400

I've held the rank of SGT for over six years. My father told me when he was in the USAF it was not unheard of for officers to hold the rank of Captain for up to 8 years. I met a CSM who told me he was a SSG for 8 years. What say you? Any record holders out there?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 2:39 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:39:44 -0400

Specialist was my longest. A little over 11 years.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 2:42 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:42:08 -0400

Major for 8 years, then followed it with LTC for 4 to get back on track.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 24 at 2019 2:43 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:43:29 -0400

Sergeant E-5.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 2:44 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:44:57 -0400

I've heard of Navy Chaplains holding LT (O-3) for 8 years, sometimes longer (12 years) for Reservists. My dad was an Army Dental CPT (O-3) for over a decade, though that was Active for 2 and change, and IRR for the rest.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 24 at 2019 2:49 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:49:07 -0400

I held the rank of SFC the longest (5.5 years).

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 24 at 2019 2:51 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:51:07 -0400

I served in the Army: for three years and seven/eight months. I was a Specialist Four; for the majority of that time. SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 3:14 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:14:56 -0400

I only held Sergeant for five years. That was the longest so far. I expect my CW2 to CW3 in the future will surpass that though.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 24 at 2019 3:16 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:16:51 -0400

I feel this will be different for Guard and Active.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 3:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:16:51 -0400

I got SSG in late 2007 as a tradition (MDAY) Guardsman and picked up an AGR position under a year later...since signal SFC billets are rare I just picked up SFC in December 2018...

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 3:21 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:21:03 -0400

I was a captain from Apr 1970 until I got out in May 1975.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 4:06 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:06:45 -0400

CPT for 7 years and 7 months.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Sep 24 at 2019 4:27 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:27:08 -0400

E5 if you add the two times I held it together.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Sep 24 at 2019 4:27 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:27:19 -0400

SFC, Dec 85 through Jun 97. I was the youngest Soldier selected by my SFC board (I made the secondary zone by 1 day) and the most senior SFC selected by my MSG board.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 5:13 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 17:13:07 -0400

O-3 6 years 14 days

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 5:14 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 17:14:40 -0400

Sgt (6 yrs 2 mths). Court Martial kind of held me back a little.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Sep 24 at 2019 5:22 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 17:22:00 -0400

E-4 Mafia from May 2010 until I ETS in July 2015.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Sep 24 at 2019 6:46 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 18:46:52 -0400

E-4 13 years... 1.5 years OCS..NG. But I had psychological problems.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Sep 24 at 2019 6:53 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 18:53:46 -0400

MSG, 8 years.

Response by SFC Michael Krogmann made Sep 24 at 2019 7:12 PM

SFC Michael Krogmann — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:12:18 -0400

SSG for 10 years

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 24 at 2019 7:19 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:19:29 -0400

My enlisted rank E-5 to E-6, was 5 years which felt like an eternity. My commissioned rank was 0-5 til I retired, which was 7 years. For the 0-6 board, in the zone was 7 years and I had planned my retirement well ahead versus trying to get promoted; and waiting for terminal leave definitely felt much longer than.....eternity!

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Sep 24 at 2019 7:25 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:25:05 -0400

Specialist for over five years. I went straight from E1 to E4 after five months and stayed there the rest of my career.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 7:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:26:59 -0400

PFC 22 months, not enough rank to be in charge of a cleaning detail, and to much rank to have KP.

Response by SSG William Jones made Sep 24 at 2019 7:53 PM

SSG William Jones — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:53:40 -0400

That would be E-6, from 1993 to 1999. To add another catagory, I held E-4 and E-5 most often (Twice each).

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 24 at 2019 9:15 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 21:15:59 -0400

I'm not sure it is a rank, but my Dad called me "Dumbass" for a very long time.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2019 9:49 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 21:49:10 -0400

I was a Specialist from maybe 2008 to 2014 so going on six years. Building my packet was rough since any documentation I needed took so long to get, some forms became too old and couldn't be used. Then from 2014 to 2019 I was a Sergeant so close with five and that's due to ALC always being filled for 12N. Few courses and what.....20,000 soldiers who can sign up as soon as seats are available. And courses are only done during winter months. Neat.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 24 at 2019 10:21 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 22:21:48 -0400

SFC for 10 and change (active). Had I rode out to RCP it would have been 13 1/2 as there was no chance of promotion.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 24 at 2019 11:35 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 23:35:51 -0400

I will be a major until death, hopefully a good 49years.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 2:06 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 02:06:26 -0400

For me it was kinda weird how it all worked out with my promotions. I held SPC for about four years, made SGT in the first month after the board and held SGT for about four years, then when it came to SSG i also made it the first month after the board, so for me it feels like it was all meant to happen when it did...Now lets see if i stay a SSG for only four years and get picked up for SFC lol

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Sep 25 at 2019 7:59 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 07:59:21 -0400

I held the rank of Sergeant for just over eight years.

Response by SFC Barbara Layman made Sep 25 at 2019 8:43 AM

SFC Barbara Layman — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:43:53 -0400

My career was a long one. I began as a WAC, spent time in the USAR, the ARNG and in the ARMY. For some time I considered myself to be the 'rankingest' E-5 in the US Army as I held that for just over 18 years and never ran into anyone who held it as long.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 8:47 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:47:08 -0400

Captain. 7 years and counting.

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Sep 25 at 2019 10:27 AM

CWO3 Randy Weston — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 10:27:33 -0400

That would be Chief Petty Officer (E-7) 4 yrs 6 mo.. I was promoted on the first try from E-1 to E-7, then they split our specialty (NEC) out from general population and we were overmanned at the E-7 to E-9 level by 300 to 400%. So, I applied for CWO and was selected.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Sep 25 at 2019 10:59 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 10:59:10 -0400

Chief Petty Officer (8y 10m). What happens when you make a duty station/job selection based on what is best for your family, rather than what is best for your career....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 11:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:39:22 -0400

Please let me caveat by the fact this phenomenon is a little different amongst Branch components . Some of us in the
Army reserve components (especially the guard) are limited by MTOE Changes and limited positions. Meaning people sit in their positions until they retire , effectively blocking upward mobility for other soldiers. I've been an E6 for 7 years now. Just this year I was selected for E7 , but won't be pinned until completion of SLC (Jan 2020).

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 11:45 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:45:38 -0400

LT (O3). Pinned LT 1 June 2010. Pinned LCDR 1 Sept 2018. So I held LT for 8.25 years.

Response by MSG Chuck Odom made Sep 25 at 2019 1:32 PM

MSG Chuck Odom — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 13:32:03 -0400

SFC for exactly 10 years (to the day).

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 25 at 2019 1:50 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 13:50:37 -0400

Captain. I was promoted to captain in July 1972 and subsequently promoted to major in 1979.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 5:19 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 17:19:50 -0400

I was a Captain for over (7) years, most that time I was a Company Commander. I found that taking care of my troops was the most fulfilling time in my life. I found that from the day I received my Commission my goal was to serve my soldiers, and place the needs of them before myself. The hardest part of that dynamics was to trust in the professionalism of those around you. Giving up that trust was the hardest thing I had to do! It did not always workout, but I came to feel that we had to give others around us the opportunity to fail, that is let them rise to the occasion. People will surprise you, and very often exceed your expectations.
Yours, CPT Crane

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 25 at 2019 6:55 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 18:55:19 -0400

I was a due course promotion guy.
2LT 1994-1996
1LT 1996-1998
CPT 1998-2004
MAJ 2004-2010
LTC 2010-2016

I was a Captain from 1998 to 2004, should have been a Captain until 2005, but got promoted early due to a Major shortage. This seemed the longest I was any rank. Sew the stuff on, Imma gonna be here a spell. The truth be told, I was a LTC the longest. Promoted in DEC2010 and retired in OCT 2016....and I continue to be a LTC to this minute. for. ever.

The AD officers will move up or out fairly consistently due to DOPMA. I can't speak to RC officers as having a troop billet to be in is essential to their promotion process.

Many NCOs get hung up in Hotel California that is SSG. No direct evidence....just anecdotal.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Sep 26 at 2019 10:44 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 10:44:57 -0400

SGT for 5 years, SSGT for 6. I loved my job but the promotion rate sucked ass. Several in my MOS retired as SSGT.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2019 7:30 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 19:30:34 -0400

Petty Officer First Class (E-6). I held it for five years, two months. Second place goes to Chief Petty Officer (E-7), at four years.

But I think my present situation probably trumps it all. RETIRED for eight years!! :D

Response by PO2 Sean Baker made Sep 26 at 2019 9:00 PM

PO2 Sean Baker — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:00:26 -0400

I was an E-1 for 4 years on Appellate Leave

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2019 4:19 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:19:46 -0400

Captain for 6 years, Major for 7 years. That’s the norm for Army Officers...although it has changed a few times in my 22 years. Some make it a year earlier (BZ) or a year later (AZ).

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Sep 28 at 2019 5:08 PM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 17:08:03 -0400

I was a PN1 for 14 years.

Response by CPT Jim Kotva made Oct 4 at 2019 2:28 PM

CPT Jim Kotva — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 14:28:45 -0400

Captain for me 5 years

Response by SFC Danny Watkins made Oct 7 at 2019 11:43 AM

SFC Danny Watkins — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 11:43:26 -0400

SSG FOR 8

Response by COL William Shea made Nov 5 at 2019 9:36 PM

COL William Shea — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 21:36:25 -0500

I served with an Army Captain who made Captain in 1968 (I was in kindergarten). He was riffed off active duty in 1980, still a Captain. He then joined the National Guard and was given a new date of rank. When I made Captain in 1987, he was still a Captain. He was promoted to Major in early 1988. 20 years total.

Response by LTC Dick Bulova made Nov 7 at 2019 3:29 PM

LTC Dick Bulova — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 15:29:39 -0500

I was a 1LT from 1962 to 1973. Transferred from Active Duty to Army Reserves in 1964.

Response by MG Hugh Van Roosen made Nov 12 at 2019 12:15 AM

MG Hugh Van Roosen — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 00:15:39 -0500

I’m pushing 6 years as an 08.

Response by MSG Greg Borka made Nov 14 at 2019 8:35 AM

MSG Greg Borka — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 08:35:44 -0500

Held SSG for 8 years. Retired MSG. I think everyone hits a point that seems endless at some point of service.

Response by SP5 James Johnson made Nov 17 at 2019 8:24 PM

SP5 James Johnson — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 20:24:45 -0500

Sp 4. In Nam my company didn't even know I was assigned to them. One day I went down to batalion and asked why I hadn't been promoted to Sp5. They told me I wasn't in the battalion. Turns out my co stg had been lying to me for almost a year. He claimed my promotion was on the way. I confronted him and next month I was promoted. Typical FUBAR.

Response by COL Rich McKinney made Nov 19 at 2019 2:44 PM

COL Rich McKinney — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 14:44:24 -0500

8 as a Captain and 8 more as Major

Response by CPO Kirk Allen made Nov 19 at 2019 6:13 PM

CPO Kirk Allen — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 18:13:07 -0500

ETC from 1993 to 2001 in USNR then went back active 2001 to 2013 as ETC Retired ETC 6 months short of 20 years as ETC

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Dec 15 at 2019 6:26 PM

SSG Harry Herres — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 18:26:17 -0500

Not that it counts SSgt 3 years army 12 year sheriff dept. 15 years total. 15 years to get it back

Response by SSG Robert "Rob" Wentworth made Dec 15 at 2019 11:25 PM

SSG Robert "Rob" Wentworth — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 23:25:40 -0500

E-4 (SP4) the longest. I believe it was 2 years.

Response by MAJ Judd Clemens made Dec 17 at 2019 6:30 PM

MAJ Judd Clemens — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 18:30:19 -0500

03E - Eight years and five days before I made 0-4. I think always having command jobs (SF A-team cdr, basic tng company cdr, airfield cdr, ave platoon cdr) and very limited staff time may have slowed promotion.

Response by WO1 Mike Dwyer made Jan 4 at 2020 8:48 PM

WO1 Mike Dwyer — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 20:48:12 -0500

I was an E5 for 9 years and later I was a WO1 for 9 years and 9 months.

Response by SGT Mark Daughenbaugh made Jan 5 at 2020 5:20 PM

SGT Mark Daughenbaugh — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 17:20:27 -0500

I had a Doctor at the VA Hospital in Lebanon PA who told me was a Colonel (0-6) for 30 years...

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Jan 7 at 2020 2:32 AM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 02:32:53 -0500

This is embarassing, but I held Ssgt (E5) from 1980 to 1991 when I retired. Test scores always missed by 3 points due to not having the points in commendations and such. Talk about depressing! Frustrating when a reporting officer tells you he'll recommend you for superior job performance, and not even writing up the recomendation for promotion!

Response by SP5 George Smith made Jan 9 at 2020 1:18 AM

SP5 George Smith — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 01:18:16 -0500

Not a record holder. Got my E5 15 months after getting into the Army and was promoted in Nam.
So, Dec ‘69 until Jun ‘76 I held that rank.

Response by PO1 Daniel Johnson made Jan 12 at 2020 4:33 PM

PO1 Daniel Johnson — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 16:33:17 -0500

Unfortunately, I probably hold the record at 15 years as an E6, ET1/IT1. I made board every single year, but was never selected.

Response by SGT Clayton Magee made Jan 15 at 2020 1:47 AM

SGT Clayton Magee — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 01:47:27 -0500

Sp5.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 8:30 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 08:30:00 -0500

I was a Major for 6 years 5 months. due to date of rank, I missed the first O5 board cutoff by 3 days, so I had nearly 5 years TIG before I got my BTZ look. nearly 6 years at first look in the zone. selected for promotion and then they jacked up my orders packet 3 times and it was another 6 months before I got pinned. One of my former BN XOs was a Major for nearly 12 years. I was an E5 when he made MAJ and I was a CPT when he finally made LTC. Guy in my unit now was an LTC for 11 years.

Response by SFC Terry Wilcox made Jan 15 at 2020 8:37 AM

SFC Terry Wilcox — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 08:37:47 -0500

SP/5 for 6 years, I was the, out of sight, keep your superiors in a good light, kind of worker. Figured I was doing my part, to the very best of military standards - figured everyone else was doing the same, with the exception of two SP/6's working for me... there's a bit of difficulty... and finally, someone noticed that fact and asked some questions. I became an SSG, and a short time later, SFC. I knew my job, always performed a paygrade or two higher - as long as I just performed my duties, didn't make a stink (it's the squeaky wheel gets the most grease) I was OK. It was a neighbor in Germany, that worked in personnel that told me about my 201 files. Guess if you're being carried a rank BELOW what you are assigned, and performing a rank above that, but nothing is being noted - no one knows your capabilities. Always make sure you are being kept up to date, so you can get promoted when that slot presents itself.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 15 at 2020 10:32 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 10:32:23 -0500

SSgt was the grade I held the longest. 4 years during My first Eight years then after a 8 year break in service when back into uniform, still came back as a SSgt but lost the time in grade so held that for 2 years before being promoted to TSgt, so approx 6 years total as SSgt, once past that again sailed quickly runner up on longest grade held then would be SMSgt The break in service was the only reason I held the grade of SSgt as long as I did as I made SSgt in Four years but turned down TSgt at 8 years and got out. I thought I knew more than I did and found out being a civilian isn't all its cracked up to be. Like they say, the grass is always greener in the other fellows lawn until You get there and find out half the lawn is dead.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 15 at 2020 11:04 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 11:04:57 -0500

CSM, for nine years, and SGT and 1SG tied at four years.

Response by PO1 Lyndon Thomas made Jan 15 at 2020 11:14 AM

PO1 Lyndon Thomas — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 11:14:33 -0500

E6/PO1 was my longest held rank.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jan 15 at 2020 12:10 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 12:10:51 -0500

SGT E5 6 YEARS

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 12:19 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 12:19:26 -0500

I was a Major for almost 9 years

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 1:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 13:08:49 -0500

This has got to be a record of some kind. When I was a 2LT in the guard, there was a guy in my platoon who had been a SPC for 39 years. Back in those days there were lots of 50+ y/o E4s. Guys who just liked being in the guard and didn't want the responsibility of being an NCO so they never did what it took to get promoted.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2020 11:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 23:20:24 -0500

Captain

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jan 16 at 2020 12:28 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 00:28:58 -0500

I was Major (O4) from 1993 until 2002 when I retired. (I was never, never going to make O5.) I think I was the longest serving time-in-grade Major in the US Army at the time.

Response by Sgt Leonard Lamb made Jan 18 at 2020 7:33 PM

Sgt Leonard Lamb — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 19:33:33 -0500

I think my dad thought my name was Stuuupid. I dont know. Is that French, German?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2020 8:42 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 08:42:52 -0500

I held the Rank and Grade of SFC/E7 for almost 14 years

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2020 9:35 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:35:34 -0500

Longest rank: SPC ( a tad over 3 years)

Longest pay grade: E4 ( SPC/CPL a total of 6 years)

Career progression thus far:

SPC: Aug 2011- Oct 2014

CPL: Oct 2014- Sept 2017

SGT* (Administrative promotion): Feb 2018 - Dec 2019

2LT: Dec 2019- Current

Response by SCPO Bruce Davis made Feb 13 at 2020 9:34 AM

SCPO Bruce Davis — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 09:34:32 -0500

Seven years as a CPO then made SCPO for two

Response by Robyn Morrow made Feb 14 at 2020 9:23 AM

Robyn Morrow — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 09:23:23 -0500

I was called slop jar for 12 years until my mom finally told me what it meant in the military. I called him out on it and finally he stopped. My dad was a Marine.

Response by CSM Jim Rogers made Feb 16 at 2020 8:19 PM

CSM Jim Rogers — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 20:19:48 -0500

I was a csm from April 1991 to March 2011. A total of 20 years, retired with 42 years 2 months.

Response by 1SG Edward Ruesga made Feb 17 at 2020 10:47 AM

1SG Edward Ruesga — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 10:47:06 -0500

E7 6year before getting E8

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2020 1:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 13:04:29 -0500

I was an E5 from 2003 to 2013.

Factors included:
- switching from Marines to Army
- having very few award points coming into the Army because the Marines rarely give out awards
- having zero college credits due to constant deployments in the Marines
- the sequestration starting in 2010
- the point system changing in 2011 thus erasing some of my military education points

Alls well that ends well though :D

Response by PO2 Wilbur Burton made Feb 20 at 2020 8:34 AM

PO2 Wilbur Burton — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 08:34:29 -0500

I was a boatswain mate E-5 for over 5 years because boatswain mate has been a closed rate for many decades and if you are not in the top 1% you don't advance

Response by SFC Jim Hunter made Feb 22 at 2020 10:39 PM

SFC Jim Hunter — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 22:39:27 -0500

Just under 20 years as a SFC. 22 Apr 1981 to 6 Apr 2001, (my retirement date).

Response by PV2 Ross Bryan made Mar 15 at 2020 8:21 PM

PV2 Ross Bryan — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 20:21:27 -0400

MY OWN EXPERIENCE REGARDING RANK WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, BEING IN THE ARMY RESERVES DEC 1963 / OCT 28 1964!
AFTER BASIC AND WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CRANE OPERATOR TRAINING , I WAS AN E-2 .
AFTER ABOUT A YEAR LATER BECAME A E-3
BUT I NEVER BOTHERED WITH PUTTING THE STRIPE ON ANY OF MY UNIFORM!
I ONLY WANTED TO GO RESERVES BECAUSE OF THE DRAFT AND I WAS ONLY WANTING TO BURN DAYS UNTIL I GOT MY 6 YEARS IN!
AS I HAD A GOOD RAILROAD JOB BY THEN
THE PAY MISSED BY NOT HAVING HIGHER RANK AND PAY WAS IRRELEVANT TO ME!
NO ONE SEEMED TO NOTICE MY LACK OF A PFC STRIPE UNTIL I WENT TO E-4 SPECIALIST
AND MY PLATOON SGT WAS PERPLEXED
BY MY GETTING E-4!!
I TOLD HIM I HAD BEEN E-3 FOR A YEAR AND DIDNT SEW THE STRIPE ON CAUSE ME AND MY WIFE SPLIT UP, AND I DIDNT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT WHAT MY RANK WAS ANYWAY!
HE THEN SAID HE WAS GOING TO LOOK INTO IT, BUT NOTHING WAS SAID!
AT THIS TIME I FOUND OUT HOW TO GET EXCUSED FROM MEETINGS AND TOOK THIS ROUTE!
UNDER THIS I STILL HAD TO GO TO 2 WEEK SUMMER CAMP PLUS THE LAST 2 WEEKEND
MEETINGS BEFORE SUMMER CAMP!
BY THIS TIME I HAD A NEW PLATOON SGT
AND HE WAS UNAWARE THAT I WAS A E-4
IN STEALTH MODE , LOL!
IN SPRING 1967 WE HAD AN APT TEST WHICH I MUFFED BECAUSE I DIDNT GIVE A DAMN FOR PROMOTION OR COMMAND!
THIS SET UP A SERIES OF EVENTS THAT
WON ME A MEDICAL DISCHARGE BEFORE
OUR UNIT WAS ACTIVATED FOR NAM
16 MAY 1968!
YEARS LATER I FOUND I WAS BUSTED BACK TO E-2 BUT WAS UNAWARE OF THIS!
WHEN I GOT MY FINAL PAPERWORK
FROM MY DISCHARGE, I WAS LISTED AS E-4
AGAIN WITH A GOOD CONDUCT ON MY DISCHARGE! AGAIN, NO ONE TOLD ME ANYTHING!!

Response by MSgt Sidney Lichter made Mar 16 at 2020 6:23 AM

MSgt Sidney Lichter — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:23:24 -0400

10 years in grade as an E-5 (Air Force Staff Sergeant).

Response by MSgt Gordon Nielsen made Apr 8 at 2020 10:00 PM

MSgt Gordon Nielsen — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 22:00:17 -0400

SSgt.

Response by SFC David Hackett made Apr 9 at 2020 10:43 PM

SFC David Hackett — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 22:43:10 -0400

I pinned on E5 in the Air Force in August of 1989. ETS'd in downsizing in Dec of 1992 only to go into Army Reserve at same paygrade until an E6 slot opened up in March 2003 so E5 for basically 14 years.

Response by COL Kathleen Roehr made Apr 10 at 2020 11:20 PM

COL Kathleen Roehr — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 23:20:17 -0400

Captain, about 7 years after Vietnam ended and then Colonel over 7.

Response by SP6 Peter Kreutzfeldt made Apr 12 at 2020 12:42 PM

SP6 Peter Kreutzfeldt — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 12:42:13 -0400

Sp5, than they needed an Sp6 at Hunter Army Air Field to deal with the Viet Nam chopper pilots and that was me for a few months

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Apr 28 at 2020 10:54 PM

SFC Jeremy Boyd — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 22:54:04 -0400

My longest held rank was SSG. Held that one for seven years and two months. SFC would be second place, at five years and four months. Well technically, since I retired as a SFC and therefore hold that rank for the rest of my life, I'm sure it won't be long before it overtakes all the others combined, lmao!

Response by 1SG David Spalding made Sep 6 at 2020 7:06 PM

1SG David Spalding — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 19:06:13 -0400

E6 then E5, but held them both twice (6 & 4 years cumulative)

Response by SGT Mike Soter made Sep 7 at 2020 11:45 AM

SGT Mike Soter — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 11:45:15 -0400

After RA, I went national guard and was promoted fairly quickly to E-5. I held onto that rank for 13 years. Decided to get out completely due to my civilian job sending me to Taiwan for a couple years and of course the fact that there was too much nepotism and “good oil’ boys in my unit. Final straw was when a non MOS trained individual not only got an electronics inspector job, but the full time equivalent as well. And to boot, he got promoted to E-6. Without previously attending BNCOC.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved my 35E job. It was the only thing that kept me there so long . But enough was enough

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2020 3:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 15:14:46 -0400

Private

Response by SFC Lonnie Smithey made Sep 7 at 2020 8:10 PM

SFC Lonnie Smithey — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 20:10:59 -0400

PVT E-1 3 Months, PVT E-2 3 Months, PFC 7 MONTHS, SPC 4 Years, SGT 4 Years, SSG 4 Years, SFC 3 Years until Medical Retirement.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2020 8:58 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 08:58:15 -0400

I held SSG for 7 years before pinning 7.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Sep 8 at 2020 9:47 AM

SSG Paul Headlee — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 09:47:49 -0400

I've got your CSM beat, lol.

Response by MSG Chuck Odom made Sep 3 at 2021 7:16 AM

MSG Chuck Odom — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 07:16:58 -0400

I held SFC for exactly 10 years (to the day).