What rank would a prior enlisted officer typically have after a 20 year career?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:18:25 -0400

If an officer originally enlisted for 6 years at 7 and became an officer after that elistment, what rank would they typically be able to achieve at the end of their 20 years assuming everything went according to plan?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 11:27 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:27:21 -0400

I once knew a COL that was a 1SG when they commissioned.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 11:42 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:42:29 -0400

if this is all active component, 6-7 years enlisted then commissioned:
-at 11-12 years of service they would be a CPT
-at 16-17 years of service they would be a MAJ
if they retired at just 20 total they could be a CPT or MAJ.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Sep 3 at 2020 12:09 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:09:00 -0400

Wasn't there at some point long ago a program whereby you could be both enlisted and commissioned simultaneously? Sounds crazy, right? My boss (retired SFC, GS-10) had a friend who at the time was a regular army MSG that held a commission in (I'm assuming) the national guard as a LTC. Best of both worlds if you asked me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 12:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:38:51 -0400

I spent nearly 19 years enlisted. if you are a first look select every rank, after 13-14 years you could easily be a Major. I made LTC in 16 years and I got screwed over when I transferred from the guard to the reserves and missed the promotion board by 3 days or I would have made LTC in 15.

Even if you only made CPT, your retirement check is going to be bigger than if you stayed enlisted.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 1:05 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:05:19 -0400

Think of the upside.............

Mustangs can get to "20" before they get pushed out if they are non competitive.

Response by Maj Susan Young made Sep 3 at 2020 2:43 PM

Maj Susan Young — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:43:58 -0400

I had 12+ years enlisted including a branch change as enlisted and retired as a Major with almost 27 years.

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made Sep 3 at 2020 2:56 PM

CW4 Anthoney Lowry — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:56:53 -0400

i believe the highest rank you could achieve is Corporal-Captain. its a new directive from the pentagon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cuP6ueVJhM

Corporal Captain

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2020 5:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 17:51:57 -0400

I had a BN XO who, at the time, was a MAJ. He had - according to him - been every enlisted grade except E9. So he went from E1-E8, became an officer. I think when he retired he was a LTC. I'm not sure what his TIS was when he did retire.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 3 at 2020 7:37 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 19:37:17 -0400

Assuming 14 years as an Officer that would put them as a senior MAJ, most likely. Possibly a fresh LTC, but I assume promotion for Officers comes with an ADSO like it does for enlisted. Which means that for a CURRENT Officer getting ready to retire right at 20 years, AND 6-7 years enlisted time, they are MOST LIKELY a MAJ.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 4 at 2020 10:43 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 10:43:57 -0400

While I applaud your trying to plan for your future, relying on the norm when looking so many years out approaches what we used to call an exercise in futility. What are you going to do in the coming years to enhance your promotability? What is congress going to do to impact your career? Are we going to become involved in a war that increases the army's size, thereby increasing your potential for accelerated promotions?
MTC Bruce Burch made an observation I feel serves you well; "Even if you only made CPT, your retirement check is going to be bigger than if you stayed enlisted."