What rank/paygrade did you hold the longest?

I would have to say E8 as I look at how my promotions went over the last 29 years most of them I spent a bout 5 to 5 1/2 years in each grade above E5. This has maybe been a slower pace then others but I also jumped service componits Reasreve, Active Duty, back to Reserve, and now AGR so that has some impact on me. But I have to say it has been a great run and god willing i will have 5 more good years before retirement. Will put me at 25 AFS and 34 for pay.

MSG David, ah...good luck to you on your career. MN does tax enlisted military retirement. Public housing authority which does provide rental assistance to low income folks, disabled and seniors on social security has a glitch. The policy reduces American spending power and pays enforcing organizations to manage using mob tactics. Housing managers get rent free and payouts $12/hour to fix and or repair, such as light bulbs and toilets... Seniors here in southern MN don't really complain because on the short/long run their life, which is short and just want to live out their lives...Military disability, the VA waiver is considered a tax and used as earned income with the 30% gross formula ...

If ever there was a time for change, now is better to be in service than out. This housing policy does not serve the best interest of the American people of this State. For the military veteran, its a way to say, welcome home and get a job. TIG/TIS has no differentiation of treatment in the civilian world.

SSG (Join to see) - If I can make a suggestion; if you want a career accelerant, I'd seriously consider DS.

SPC to SGT took me awhile.....honestly I sat on my points......just over 4 years for me on that one

Oh no doubt the 1SG has people to answer to, I just simply meant that everybody has a 1SG (including the CSM and commander) except the 1SG. A 1SG don't have his own 1SG!! LOL

1SG (Join to see) - Wait until you pin on that diamond. You'll see what I mean. Btw - how soon until you get promoted?

I have no idea how long it will take 1SG. They are through number 54 (I think) and I am 197 so it's going to be a while longer!!

Hang in there, 1SG (Join to see) - somewhere under all this __________ there's GOT to be pony!

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL is SHORT!!!!!

Say that again!

I retired and was placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) 05 November 2012 with 20 years, 9 months, 6 days active federal military service in the Navy and Army.

SFC: 8 years, 1 month (I was not well liked by the AMEDD Sergeants Major Mafia)

That is something that I enjoy about the AF promotion system. We don't have the (P) thing but once you get selected the most you have to wait is about a year for your line number to come up.

Typically we don't have to wait over a year either TSgt Joshua Copeland, sometimes though it does happen.

E-5 13yrs couldn't stay out of trouble

Yeah my P is looking like that and I've had my P for four and my SGT/E5 for over 8

SFC was well deserved brother, couldn't be prouder of ya!!

I held SSG for 11 and a half years.

Same here..I was #6 on the E-7 list...list came out in April I didn't not get promoted until Jan 1st. Seemed like forever.

SPC for quite a few years due to my leadership not helping me or pushing me to succeed in a way. After I picked up my SGT I just wanted to keep pushing myself to be the best leader I could be but with the end of my contract and draw down I got out. 

Treat 'Em Rough sir!!!

I say hoohaaaaa

Seems once an officer arrives a the rank of Captain He has gained enough experience to be effective and be listened to more closely. At that level though those Officer skills are also needed badly. That seems to be the breaking point either an Officer will advance to Major or its the end. In seems once the hurdle of Major is cleared there is a reasonable chance to advance much higher.

Cpl (Join to see), much RESPECT BROTHER!!

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I think Marine Corporals have a different mission than do Army Corporals. That has always been a very vague distinction for me. However, I do know that Cpl's are given much responsibility in the Marines, which I believe helps to foster that lead down mentality. Cpl's go further and task/enable LCpl's/PFC's/Pvt to accomplish goals; allowing those ranks to lead and manage their contingents. I always appreciated that about the Marines. Leadership was fostered down to the lowest rank at some time or another, which allowed those individuals who showed maturity to be more effective leaders when their time came to put the blood stripes on.

As stated before Joe, next time you find yourself SoCal way, look me up we will grab a meal and swap lies.... stories.

Cpl (Join to see) Roger that, well said and eloquently expressed BROTHER.

Cpl Ivan Hicks here is the text book answer to the duties and responsibilities of a US Army Corporal.

CORPORAL: The corporal was established in 1775 with the birth of the Army and the NCO corps. Along with the rank of sergeant, the corporal is the only rank that has never disappeared from the NCO corps.

The corporal is the base of the NCO ranks, serving as leader of the smallest Army units, principally; teams leaders. Like sergeant, corporals are responsible for the individual training, personal appearance and cleanliness of their soldiers. As the command sergeant major is known as the epitome of success in the NCO corps, the corporal is the beginning of the NCO corps. As the NCO corps is known as the backbone of the Army, the corporal is the backbone of the NCO corps.

I had the same problem--didn't get to department head school early and was a LT for 8 years. Finally got promoted after joining the Reserves.

E-5 for more 10 years and loved every min.