What's the most unusual way you have seen someone receive notification of promotion?

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 18:32:00 -0400

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 3 at 2015 6:35 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 18:35:15 -0400

SMSgt Tony Barnes when I was in Afghanistan, the chain of command was called up to the Battalion Commander, everybody thought it was for a chewing out, come to find out it was for a promotion, everybody was so nervous. Turned out everybody was happy after going to a promotion party. Good memories.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 3 at 2015 6:43 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 18:43:22 -0400

It may not be unusual SMSgt Tony Barnes; but, was notified by a letter several months after I had been promoted to Major. I had been involuntarily separated from active duty in October 1992 and accepted a USAR commission the next day. I started the USA Command and General Staff College in October. I received notification early the following summer just as I was about to go on a two-week annual active duty for training period. It was good news even though there was a significant delay.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Oct 3 at 2015 7:06 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 19:06:50 -0400

It was my promotion to Sgt. I checked my cutting score with admin and they said how far off I was for promotion. At the time I was detached from my parent unit for 6 months.
A few weeks later around the 5th of the month I get a call from admin wondering when I will come pick up my promotion warrant to Sgt. I had no idea I made it.

Response by SSG John Bacon made Oct 3 at 2015 7:19 PM

SSG John Bacon — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 19:19:44 -0400

My Promotion from PFC to SPC, I was working Staff Duty when the S1 Clerk walked by and noticed my last name went back to his office and handed me my orders like by the way here you go. No ceremony or anything. just here you go. It was Rear D what else can I say.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 8:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 20:25:37 -0400

I guess it's normal but I thought it was funny that 5 people called to tell me I made SSgt less than a minute after results came out, before I could even login to my pc to see for myself

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Oct 3 at 2015 10:55 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 22:55:33 -0400

I saw a Platoon Sergeant walk up to one of his PFCs and start to chew him out in front of his buddies. He then said the soldier didn't deserve the rank he was wearing, and then started to take the rank off his collars (this was back in the late 80s). He then pulled out the E-4 ranks and started to pin them on, telling the soldier he was deserving of a higher rank.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 3 at 2015 11:55 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 23:55:04 -0400

I was walking around Iraq in 2003 as a SFC for 4 months without knowing it. Our CSM had..........issues. Eh,...back to digging foxholes.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Oct 4 at 2015 5:16 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 05:16:30 -0400

Lieutenant General awarded a double on the spot promotion to one of my guys in Fabrication Ssgt to Msgt who really deserved it. I was extraordinarily happy for him. So many people get tucked away somewhere and they are doing a superb job with no recognition. Yes, I realize that being the best at what you do is standard but this man went far and above. He deserved it and never saw it coming.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 10:19 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 10:19:11 -0400

My commander, squadron superintendent, and operations officer came to my work center just before 4 on Friday (very unusual at my DFAC) and just started asking everyone about their plans for the weekend. When they got to me I told them I would be doing homework and picking up some Reservists at the airport coming in for TDY. He told me that being the face of the squadron is a lot of responsibility for an A1C, so they better make me a SrA below the zone. It's effective November 7.

Response by MSgt Bill Milligan made Oct 4 at 2015 1:08 PM

MSgt Bill Milligan — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 13:08:13 -0400

I was on leave living in family housing at RAF Lakenheath. That morning I was watching the Stanley Cup on AFN and my mother in law who was visiting said there was a lot of people coming up to the door. I opened the door and it was my squadron commander and and 10 people from my section in OSS. He handed me a set of MSgt stripes and put a pair of those paste on stripes on my T-shirt.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 3:28 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 15:28:15 -0400

A few years back, during a Commander's Call, my Squadron Commander was talking about standards when his phone rang on his hip.

He answered it, and after a few moments, said, "Ma'am I'm in the middle of a Commander's Call, can this wait?" Moments after, he asked if TSgt XXXX was in the crowd. After a few moments of blank stares, he elaborated with the Sergeant's duty flight, and the man stood up.

"It's your wife on the phone," the Commander said, "and evidently it's important enough that she is interrupting this briefing and calling me to talk to you. Please come up here."

It was the most embarrassing walk of shame for him, and he marched up to the front and stood at attention in front of the Commander. "What's that, ma'am? You want me to tell him?" The Commander slowly lowered his phone, then said, "Your wife wanted me to congratulate you on making Master Sergeant." He pulled out some slap-on stripes, coined the new SNCO, and gave him a round of applause. First month's raise probably went into a new pair of pants b

Response by CMSgt Mark Lewis made Oct 4 at 2015 11:04 PM

CMSgt Mark Lewis — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 23:04:01 -0400

After working night shift during snow removal, my superintendent woke me up to report to the Base Civil Engineer's office. He proceeded to ask if I knew about an accident one of my guys supposedly had with a snow plow and a parked car. I informed him that I was not aware of any accident and he then proceeded to tell me that as an "NCO" I needed to be aware of anything that goes on any shift when I am the person in charge. Obviously, I said "yes sir" and then hesitated because I finally realized he said NCO and I was a SrA. I had been selected for promotion to SSgt.

Response by MSgt Matthew Meindl made Oct 5 at 2015 7:55 AM

MSgt Matthew Meindl — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:55:12 -0400

Saw a friend get a call from the Group Commander, she informed him that his wife was sleeping with a MSgt. Fortunately, he had already heard about his promotion through the grapevine from his connections at higher headquarters.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Oct 5 at 2015 12:00 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:00:42 -0400

When I was stationed at Osan AB in South Korea, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force flew in one day. As soon as he got off his jet, he asked to be taken to a TSgt F16 Crew Chief who was on the Flight Line at the time. He walked up to him and pinned MSgt on him. Bingo instant MSgt.

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Oct 5 at 2015 4:30 PM

SMSgt Bryan Raines — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:30:43 -0400

Not really an unusual setting but an E-7 in our squadron got a promotion to E-8 that he didn't see coming. He already put in for retirement and his expression when he was told in a large group that he was the only E-8 promotion in his squadron was priceless. I just wish I could have a picture of my face when they told me I made SMSgt.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2015 9:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 09:07:02 -0400

I was working in G3 came into work opened my Email. There was 2 attachments there. One promoted me the other PCSed me. The unit had no idea of the promotion either. The DCG pinned me and said bye the same time.

Response by SPC Bruce Nichols made Oct 9 at 2015 10:31 AM

SPC Bruce Nichols — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 10:31:24 -0400

I saw a buddy of mine get his rank for his chest, PC as well as his 4187 given to him with a copy of his permanent profile by 1SG. No ceremony, no words really. Just walked out of the S3 shop.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 12:22 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 00:22:45 -0400

Many moons ago, while at my civilian job as a Deputy with the Jackson County, MO, Sheriff's Department, I received an intercom call from the Sheriff that two federal agents were in his office and that I was being requested to present myself there without delay. I knew I hadn't recently committed any federal crimes and the Boss hadn't said which agency the two men represented. I approached his office, where his secretary grudgingly waved me in. The Sheriff was just inside the door, and closed it behind me. I saw the backs of two men seated in front of the Old Man's desk. The Sheriff led me around HIS desk to HIS chair, and told me to Sit. I now saw the faces of the federal men who were there, and instantly recognized them as fellow agents in the 2nd District of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, in which we served. They stood up and one proceeded to read the CGIS Director's letter concerning my promotion to Chief Petty Officer in the USCG. For about four minutes or so, since the Sheriff had first paged me, I had been wondering what the inside of Leavenworth looked like. It took the same amount of time to go from being scared shitless to being a newly promoted Chief. That was probably the most incredible thrill ride I'd ever taken in that short amount of time.

BTW, the Sheriff later told me to go home and start my weekend a couple days early. The Old Man had been a highly sympathetic to and an extremely generous supporter of my military activities. As a Reserve special agent in CGIS, the one weekend a month and two weeks of ADT did not apply at all. I was constantly receiving calls at work or home from my district SAIC or directly from Washington to get somewhere Code 1. The Sheriff never once balked and never once docked me for the copious absences I took from the job. Almost one year to the day after I retired from the department in 1996, Sheriff Jim Anderson, my boss, my friend, and a U.S. veteran, died from a massive heart attack, sitting in HIS office, in HIS chair.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 5:41 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:41:33 -0400

A thousand years ago, when I was promoted to E-5 in the Army, I absolutely HATED my 1SG - he was a total dick and couldn't relate to humanity in general. At the formation for my promotion, he pinned on one of my collar devices, along with my Platoon Sergeant. The whole formation erupted into cheers and applause as I ran back to formation - and, as I assumed my new spot as team leader, I made eye contact with the 1SG. Very quietly - I'm sure I never actually heard it - he said, "Where's Sergeant Motyka?"

I looked around like a damned prairie dog, looking for the new NCO with my (extremely rare) last name. It took a few seconds before I realized what he did - and I looked back at him. He was just smiling at me.

That lousy bastard ended up being a good friend and mentor... and I found that I had just been a spoiled, juvenile jerk.

Thanks, Top!!

Response by SSgt Andrew McCormack made Oct 13 at 2015 6:16 PM

SSgt Andrew McCormack — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:16:42 -0400

I had been selected for SSgt but was on the staff for USCINCPAC. We were on a trip to Washington DC and didnt expect my number to come up for a couple of months. The Major I worked for liked messing with me and we had some good ones back and forth. But on this trip he came to my hotel room the NIGHT BEFORE we had to fly out. He explained that my number was up and that I was getting promoted tomorrow... The next day I had to get chevrons, have them sewn on while I waited, get a pair of metal chevrons AND Still get to the airplane. The next day I got promoted after a brief that was given in Colorado Springs. Since that was my home town, my parents were given permission to come on the base and into the DV area where we were to promote me. We had steak on the flight home....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 7:19 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:19:55 -0400

I have a buddy who was promoted to e-3 two drills in a row, readiness NCO forgot lol

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 8:19 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:19:04 -0400

In Japan, there is this popular style of Sushi restaurant that's automated, it doesn't have any waiters or waitresses. You either grab what looks good from this rotating carousel, or use the touch screen to order something specific to your table, and this train brings it to you. Our Production Superintendent, a MSgt, was having his going away there on his last day, and he ordered a dish from the chef, but in place of the food was a big cup with tack-on SMSgt stripes, some coins, and his certificate of promotion. Then, from the other side of the restaurant, behind a partition, came the Group CC, Squadron CC, our OIC, Production's LT, and our Chief to congratulate him.

Response by SFC Chris Weaver made Oct 13 at 2015 8:24 PM

SFC Chris Weaver — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:24:26 -0400

Had Specialist that busted his butt, and I wanted to make him a Corporal, not as punishment but as a reward and a way to get him ready to move up in the ranks. When the paperwork came back approved, our Chief and myself decided to have some fun with him.
Brought him into the Chief's office, Chief asked if he knew why he was in the Chief's office with the Company Commander and 1SG and the rest of his COC present.
He responded back with no, Chief said well you must have done something to end up in here to see me so please think. The Specialist thought and said Chief I have no clue, Chief said well I will tell you that you don't deserve the rank you are wearing took it off his chest (ACU's) and threw his rank and slapped his NCO stripes on him before he knew what was going on.
Took him a bit to look down and when he looked down, he got red, and smiled.
Needles to say he was surprised

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 8:35 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:35:07 -0400

I knew I got my Sgt Stripes when I saw that my rank was upgraded on my AKO profile. My platoon sergeant was so happy because it was his first promotion as a new PSG, then I ruined it for him by saying that I already knew about it when he called me in to tell me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 9:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 21:51:39 -0400

As an A1C I was told I had to brief our Group CC about maintenance. I was told there would be a slide show and I would just have to read the stats off of it. When I arrived to brief him, I looked to the Captain running the slides and he said there were no slides for me. My OIC and NCOIC told the commander that they told me to bring the slides. I stood in front of all my upper leadership and just started making stuff up. That's when they promoted me to SrA below the zone. I was mortified and ecstatic at the same time

Response by SFC Kevin C. made Oct 13 at 2015 10:48 PM

SFC Kevin C. — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:48:09 -0400

Ok, went and dug this out. We had been out in the field for several weeks. This was back around 1997 or 98. I had some great hair day going on, and they decided to pin my E-6 on at this time. No family. Just pin and back to work. good times.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 13 at 2015 11:14 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:14:44 -0400

My buddy was walking down the hall, and as he's approaching the commander who is walking in the opposite direction, the commander turns to my friend and says "oh...here", and handed him his new rank. Quick, easy, no ceremony...lucky bastard!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 6:52 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 06:52:15 -0400

Way back when I was enlisted, I received a promotion from SPC to SPC. I was promoted to SGT thr next day. Apparently we had a horrible clerk typist, as I was not the first nor ladt person this happened to.

Response by SPC DV Gio Lozano made Oct 14 at 2015 10:23 PM

SPC DV Gio Lozano — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 22:23:11 -0400

Anyone know who the people in this picture are?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 8:21 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:21:13 -0400

A friend recently got a phone call with out of cycle promotion results in late September. "Hey, you made Senior, effective sew on date 1 Sept so you're getting a little bit of back pay"

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 8:22 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:22:05 -0400

My coworker, the senior of the 3 of us, made E-4 in less than four years (very rare at that time and a sure sign of a good performer) My NCOIC had a very nice sign made and it was displayed on the day of promotion. Also on the sign in not so professional writing was P. S. And also to A2C Porter.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 8:25 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:25:24 -0400

Also saw several being chewed out for being out of uniform. Wearing the wrong rank.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 8:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:38:02 -0400

A friend of mine got a certificate of promotion to PV1 from PV2.... Next day s1 brought the certificate for PFC. Another guy in same unit got promoted to SPC from PV1 because no officer ever pinned him PV2 or PFC.

Response by PO1 Pete Sikes made Oct 16 at 2015 8:53 PM

PO1 Pete Sikes — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:53:47 -0400

I was an LPO E-6 on a CVN working in the shop one day and my Chief came in, looking pissed off and yelling. Me, knowing I didn't do anything and that it had to be someone else in the division, just sat there and very calmly whipped out a pen and my green notebook, to write down whatever it was I was going to have to do to fix the problem. Then he said, "I can't get you wound up about anything, congratulations on making Chief!" The problem was, the list he saw on the OPS Boss' desk wasn't the promotions, it was those who DIDN'T make it. That morning sucked....

Response by CPT Michael Moffeit made Oct 16 at 2015 10:29 PM

CPT Michael Moffeit — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 22:29:23 -0400

My Soldier checking his LES

Response by PO1 Shannon Drosdak made Oct 17 at 2015 2:24 AM

PO1 Shannon Drosdak — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 02:24:36 -0400

Our ship was getting ready to go through SMC I was was told by my XO that every space place with my name needed to be changed, which was almost every supply space on our ship (I had just recently gotten married). The mess decks had recently been refurbished and I tried to explain to the XO that the deck was still tacky. I was told to figure it out and to have all the spaces done by 0700 tomorrow (it was 1400) I hung from pipes through the overheads, climbed, and crawled, to get to some these spaces. My Chief said "no Liberty till it's finished so I managed to be the most limber and nimble sailor that day. At 0710 the next morning I got called to the XO's office "Did you finish CS1?" Sir yes sir, (why did he just call me CS1 did he suddenly forget I'm a CS2?) "Carry on than CS2 (ok must have been a slip) I expect to see you at CO's call". At 0800 the CO called me up during CO's call "congratulations CS2 you are now CS1." I stared at the XO in disbelief. "Do you have anything to say?" Yes Sir, does this mean I have to change all the space plaques again? "Again? What do you mean?" I explained the story to the CO he chuckled a bit looked at the XO shaking his head and said "no the SMC was cancelled last week, both your Chief and the XO knew that before this task was given, however I can only imagine what you went through to get to those spaces, do it when you can." All those bruises squeezing into those spaces and doing crazing things from the overhead and pipes and we never even did an SMC inspection that year.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 4:03 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 04:03:14 -0400

I haven't been blessed to see one that was extraordinary

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 4:07 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 04:07:18 -0400

01 April 2003... A bunch of us were told to get in back of the formation. We didn't now what was going on. Next thing I knew, we were being marched to the front and were pinned SPC. After we all were proudly wearing our new rank, 1SG said "April Fools, take that shit off." The whole company erupted in laughter. I didn't think that joke was very funny...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 7:40 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 07:40:10 -0400

There was a group of applicants to become Ecuadorian Army Soldiers who received their notification of promotion while they were in the jungle, fighting against the Peruvian Army in a non declared war between both countries, it happened in 1995.

Response by SGT Stephen Culhane made Oct 17 at 2015 1:53 PM

SGT Stephen Culhane — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 13:53:16 -0400

I wouldn't call it unusual but my orders for E5 came into iPERMs before I was told. Once I had the orders, I went and got my ID card updated. Next drill my 1SG and Admin NCO told me that I will be getting my stripes soon. I played dump, then after 4 months, they finally promoted me in front of the BTRY to SGT. It was nice attending a couple of drills as a E4 but getting paid as a E5. I was told they would have pin me sooner but they decided to wait until we had a home station drill.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 1:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 13:56:45 -0400

Overseas! Came in as a captain and major was thrown on his office and that was the promotion!

Response by MSgt Don Beers made Oct 17 at 2015 6:18 PM

MSgt Don Beers — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 18:18:12 -0400

While stationed at U-Tapao in Thailand, I dumped a generator off a forklift. Later, the squadron commander at the time, a 1st Lt. held a meeting and told several of us that we had been promoted. To me, he said that I was getting promoted to pay for the generator which did not happen but scared the pee what out of me at the time.

Response by TSgt Julie Miller made Oct 17 at 2015 7:43 PM

TSgt Julie Miller — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 19:43:43 -0400

I had just arrived in North Carolina with my family and was in billeting when there was a knock at the door. We we're exactly ready for anyone that morning as it had been a hectic move. There standing in the door was my new Squadron Commander and Shirt... We'd already had a few issues with the folks at billeting so I thought I was getting a talking to.. Nope, they asked how things were going, if the family was good and then handed me a ziplock bag of Staff Sergeant stripes... Yep.... didn't know just how to respond... But I knew I'd better not show up Monday morning out of uniform.....

Response by SGT Brett Caldwell made Oct 18 at 2015 2:16 AM

SGT Brett Caldwell — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 02:16:05 -0400

I was attached to an air cav unit (I was an air defense guy) as a pfc over in Iraq in '03-04. I worked for the S3 SGM, a 19D, who took my buddy and me under his wing.

One month my LES randomly said Spc well before any automatic promotion should have kicked in. Well, he found out eventually and came out to the guard tower I was manning at about midnight asking where the hell I was at. It was a three man shift with a cot in the base of the tower for the third man to get some sleep, and of course I was sleeping when he showed up. He fake chewed me out for sleeping on duty before I was pinned that night at the base of the tower.

Turns out my home unit had put me in early then neglected to tell anyone.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 8:40 AM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 08:40:29 -0400

I have the best of both worlds: I'm in the Navy Reserves, and I work for the Army as a civilian. In my civilian job in medical simulation research, we developed a trauma trainer lower torso: double amputations that could move. A training site built a platform so a human could hide his legs and be the upper half. One of the instructors, an E5 (as I remember) played the injured Soldier and was promoted in that position.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 9:24 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 09:24:14 -0400

The notification of the promotion wasn't a big deal, however, the actual location of the promotion was quite impressive. I started out in the Air Force doing a very "Army-like" job. I was in Combat Communications and spent a lot of time working in the field, living in tents, and working on mobilizers and building pallets, etc. I then move to the Army to be a Warrant Officer to fly helicopters. I switch over to UAV's and end up in the Army doing a very "Air Force" job and get my promotion from W2 to W3 on Edwards Air Force Base in the oldest hangar on the base.

Response by SGT Steven Espaillat made Oct 18 at 2015 9:37 AM

SGT Steven Espaillat — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 09:37:40 -0400

Back in like 07 I was sitting in my car with my wife about to board a bus to deploy to Iraq when my first seargent yanked the door open pulled me out of the car ripped off my pfc rank and power punched my spc on my chest man I was so confused as to what just happened it took my wife telling me that I got promoted 3 times before I realized it

Response by SGT Micheal Adams made Oct 18 at 2015 12:27 PM

SGT Micheal Adams — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 12:27:20 -0400

That Popeye

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 7:42 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:42:04 -0400

I walked into my boss' office to answer his bellow and he tossed a black oak leaf cluster across his desk and he told me I owed the office lunch...

Response by SFC Gordon Lamb made Oct 18 at 2015 11:46 PM

SFC Gordon Lamb — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 23:46:26 -0400

When I got my PFC, my section sergeant came into our room yelling "I couldn't stop it!"

Response by MSgt Bruce Hutchinson made Oct 19 at 2015 2:27 AM

MSgt Bruce Hutchinson — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 02:27:34 -0400

well, nothing as elaborate as some of the stories that I've read here. We were having our annual squadron picnic. I'm as per the CC's request in civilian attire. I was holding my 4th "adult beverage" when the Commander called us all to attention. He said that he had a very important memo that came out after he had released us from duty that afternoon, he then called several members up front to give them some award or something. He then called me (still holding my beer). I did have enough common sense to put my beer down on the closest table, when I approached him, wearing a pair of shorts and t-shirt (it was an after hours picnic after-all) when he handed me my TSgt stripes. Now of course I saluted, thanked him and all the other good things one should do, but I'm still not 100% if I followed the correct protocol for receiving a promotion in shorts, Metallica t-shirt and with the beginnings of a light buzz going on.

Response by SPC Corbin Doades made Oct 19 at 2015 2:43 AM

SPC Corbin Doades — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 02:43:22 -0400

I found out I was promoted to SPC a month before being "pinned." I was one of the first soldiers with ACUs in my unit. 1stSgt was pissed because I was already wearing the sham shield.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 3:56 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 03:56:51 -0400

My squadron commander used to bring the cops in and have them standing in the room when Airman xxx was told the commander wanted to see him. Most of them looked like they were going to faint just before the commander gave them their new stripes.

Response by COL Robert Gaudsmith made Oct 19 at 2015 8:06 AM

COL Robert Gaudsmith — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 08:06:04 -0400

Not sure where Rally Point got the picture. That is me promoting John Robinson to CPT on top of the "Victory Over Iran Palace" at Camp Slayer, Baghdad in 2008ish. He was the S1 of 1-124 CAV, TXARNG. An outstanding officer.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 9:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:22:48 -0400

Not quite as unusual as these stories, but while in Germany, I was standing in a promotion line waiting for my time to pin on E-6. My wife and daughter came up, and hilarity ensued. after over 10 years of service, my wife and daughter pinned my rank on upside down. Then my 1SG smoked me for wearing Air Force Rank in his formation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 9:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:31:19 -0400

SMSgt Tony Barnes can you tell me where you found the photo that you used? I took this picture in Iraq back in 2009.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 11:40 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:40:06 -0400

I was driving Bobcat filling HESCOs at Jalalabad PRT.
When I put the bucket down the Commander was standing there with a big smile on his face.
When I asked what was up he simply said Congrats Ron you did it.
I was like "Did what" ....i've been filling these damn HESCOs for two weeks......
He laughed and said "no you made Master" and started laughing.
He shook my hand we smoked a cigar and then it was back to work.

What made this unusual to me was that it was just him....no first shirt, no rent a crown....just him and an open honest congratulations....Was the best news I ever received down range (other than getting a firm return date of course) ...side note best commander i ever worked for...

Response by PO1 T.M. Ritchie made Oct 19 at 2015 12:29 PM

PO1 T.M. Ritchie — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:29:17 -0400

I was called in to my departments classified conversation conference room to be meritoriously promoted personally by President Reagan...He was on a speaker phone in the situation room at the White House and I was at NWS Yorktown,Virginia. I am, as far as I know, the only person to serve in the military to be personally promoted by the POTUS. At least that is what he told me. 5 August 1983.

Response by GySgt Nick Boyles made Oct 19 at 2015 2:25 PM

GySgt Nick Boyles — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:25:34 -0400

I attended a board for Meritorious Sgt., then I went away to cold weather training for a couple of weeks. When I returned my First Sgt. told me I was out of uniform. Being squared away as usual, I was concerned until he handed me my Sgt. insignia. I had just got all of my chevrons sewn on for Corporal, but it was worth the extra cost to make the exchange.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 19 at 2015 3:20 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 15:20:07 -0400

1987 Korea, friend got his LES statement from a gut truck his food was wrapped in in the village and it showed he had been promoted, he received his actual orders a day later.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 8:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 20:25:45 -0400

I was called in to the company area off of leave (honeymoon) to be promoted to Sergeant.

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made Oct 19 at 2015 8:56 PM

MSgt Aaron Brite — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 20:56:56 -0400

I recall how I was notified of my promotion to SrA. My pay was high and I went to finance to find out why. Apparently I had been automatically promoted. No one in my unit knew or cared.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 9:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 21:09:33 -0400

I was a SP-4 and in the hospital in Vietnam. I ran fever at night but not during the daytime. During the day I had to help fill sandbags. I was filling sandbags when my CO came over to present me with my SGT stripes. I finished helping filling the sandbags that day and every day until I was released from the hospital. I was told I didn't have to do it anymore as a SGT E-5, but I would have felt guilty laying in bed while sandbags were being filled.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 10:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 22:02:59 -0400

When I was a Drill Sergeant back in 2007, my First Sergeant handed me a folded up sticky-note with the #89 in it....which was my sequence # for Sergeant First Class. My notification for Master Sergeant came in an email on Facebook....oh well, I got promoted!

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Oct 19 at 2015 10:13 PM

TSgt Marco McDowell — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 22:13:37 -0400

Good one! 1stSgt talked our ears off for an hour on the parade deck. I was a Terminal Lance so I was zoned out counting the days until sep. At the end of the formation he was like, "Oh yeah McDowell, somebody left these on my desk for you". He tossed me a little red box of Corporal chevrons and walked off. I didn't know what to make out of it until the Company Commander came over to pin them on. For two days I thought they were messing with me until I got made a squad leader. Looking back I'm glad that my chain was aware that I had hit salty status and were involved enough to give me grief about the promotion.

Response by PFC Greg Mason made Oct 19 at 2015 10:14 PM

PFC Greg Mason — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 22:14:53 -0400

I don't have a good story like these...I was fighting a med. discharge and working at processioning recruits into AIT and the Co. told me I deserved a higher rank than PFC but his hands where tied because of the pending discharge.....when the papers came through he threatened to hide my bags.....I told him to give me a POP and I would be his for my full 20...still miss the service and I left in 2000

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 10:17 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 22:17:09 -0400

Just called the PFC up during formation, face was stunned and confused as I put rank on chest and Top pinned his cover.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 10:25 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 22:25:39 -0400

getting ripped by your commander for being out of uniform, because I should have had SSgt on 5 months ago. Thanks AFPC

Response by PFC Aaron Knapp made Oct 20 at 2015 5:36 AM

PFC Aaron Knapp — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 05:36:48 -0400

Our LT got promoted and they waited till he just got off a all nighter duty in the TOC on the field and they waited till he was sound asleep...picked up his cot...slowly moved him out into a large mud hole and then the Lt. Col came up and everyone yelled ATTENTION!...he leaped out of his cot and straight into the mud..lost balance...went down twice...then he finally made it to attention...then the Lt. Col told him he was outta uniform...no boots...no cover..and he was wearing the wrong rank...he found his cover in the cot..still no boots and it finally dawned on him what was happening...As he got pinned. Awesome...then the Lt. Col told him he needed to go get cleaned up lol....

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 8:48 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:48:24 -0400

My nephew is a Seabee which has been a notoriously difficult field for promotion in the Navy for the last several years. He had been stuck at 2nd Class Petty Officer for quite a while. A few years back he was on leave during the holiday period and got a call from one of his buddies asking if he was coming to the unit Christmas party. He told him he didn't feel like coming in off leave. His buddy told him, "You need to show up." He said again that he didn't want to. His buddy replied, "No, you NEED to show up." He went to the party and got CAP'd to 1st Class.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 20 at 2015 8:54 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:54:47 -0400

I had been at my command maybe a couple of weeks and was just starting to get known. We were having our morning meeting (I call it that because it wasn't your typical military formation. We actually met in a conference room and sat at a table while our Chain put out information) and our LCDR was reading an email with the advancement results. At the very end of it: "IT3 Miller? Do we have an IT3 Miller?" I raised my hand and said "Yes Ma'am, that's me." Her: "You made IT2..."

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Oct 20 at 2015 9:04 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:04:04 -0400

When I was promoted from E-3 to E-4, I got sick with Strep Throat. I was in my rack trying not to hack all over everyone. My LPO came over and said you need to have your chevron on your uniform by Monday.

Response by MSG Darrell Taylor made Oct 20 at 2015 12:31 PM

MSG Darrell Taylor — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 12:31:54 -0400

I remember getting a call from my 1SG after I had just gotten home from TDY. I was tired hungry and thirsty and horny and didn't want to hear whatever he had to say. He proceeds to tell my im on the list. I'm thinking okay what got F'd up now that put me on his shit list. He responds by saying " the E-7 list dumb ass!" It was unexpected because it was my first look and hadn't even updated my records or was even thinking about it. I just wanted some chow.

Response by SGT Josheua Cooke made Oct 20 at 2015 12:57 PM

SGT Josheua Cooke — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 12:57:06 -0400

A few weeks after having attended the promotion board in Afghanistan. I was awakened out of a dead sleep by my Mentor/ Team leader by him kicking open the particle board door to my cube in the B hut and jumping up and down on my bed until the wood frame gave way. As we both crumbled to the floor, he belly flopped onto me, face inches from mine, leans in and whispers in my ear "guess who made points".

Response by CPT Darlene Adams` made Oct 20 at 2015 1:09 PM

CPT Darlene Adams` — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 13:09:42 -0400

I was in OCS when I got my rockers so I never got to actually wear them but I kept them for a special occasion. It came to be a fantastic E5 medic made her E6 I let her know by presenting her with my stripes.

Response by SSgt Steven Haner made Oct 20 at 2015 1:10 PM

SSgt Steven Haner — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 13:10:32 -0400

I was stationed at Osan AB in Korea and was working a 12 hr graveyard at Central Security Control when the group commander and my flight sgt came in. The group commander asked if anyone in the room was on the list and my flt sgt said yes him and him pointing to two other guys in the room and not me. Well I thought another year of passover and I was so sure I had scored well. They left and a few minutes later my wife called from the states (she also was in the Air Force and worked in a communications squadron so she could get autovon lines fairly easy) and asked if I had heard anything yet. I told yes the commander was just here and I was passed over. She gave me her condolences and said you'll get it next year. I left out of CSC and took a smoke break to collect my thoughts when all of a sudden I heard someone yell out my name. I quickly put out my cigarette and went towards the voice who happened to be my flt sgt. He was standing there with the commander and he started apologizing saying he didn't see my name at first. I told I had just talked to my wife and told her I didn't make it. The commander then said well you better call her back, because you did. Right after they left I pulled out my ATT card and tried to call her at work, but they said she had just left. After I got off work I tried her at home but she wasn't there yet. Needless to say with the time change it took me until the next day to get ahold of her to tell her the news. If only we would of had cell phones back then!

Response by LT Robert Gardner made Oct 20 at 2015 2:16 PM

LT Robert Gardner — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:16:29 -0400

As a MM2 I was under the deck grating in the bilge of Propulsion Lube Oil Bay cleaning up, that's right, oil, when Chief opened the grate and yelled at me, "You're going to OCS nub!"

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Oct 20 at 2015 2:23 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:23:46 -0400

Had a SFC walk up to me when I was a PFC in the New York National Guard he said. "We are promoting you today...just remember if you fuck up we can demote you even faster"

Response by MSG James Mace made Oct 20 at 2015 3:46 PM

MSG James Mace — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:46:10 -0400

Most unusual way I've been notified was when I made E-8. I had taken a month-long holiday to the U.K. during the Olympics and Queen's Jubilee, as well as to do a coast-to-coast trek along Hadrian's Wall. I had deliberately kept "off the grid" for the vast majority of this. Coming back, I was sitting at the Minneapolis airport, where a three-hour layover had turned into six, when I got a call from my buddy, Don, who I happened to drill with. First words out his mouth were, "James, I just saw a set of orders with your name on them."
Confused, I replied, "Really? Where am I going?"
His response," HQ, 204th RTI, as the Senior Course Developer. Congratulations, 'Master Sergeant'."
Another very close friend could be heard in the background, shouting a few choice words of profanity, as well as a 'congratulations'. ;)

Response by CDR Alan Davidson made Oct 20 at 2015 3:53 PM

CDR Alan Davidson — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:53:38 -0400

A former CO of mine was promoted to RADM; a friend and I sent him a telegram while he was deployed to the western Pacific congratulating him on his selection. We found our later that telegram was how he found our that he had been selected even before the ALNAV announcing the selections had been received on his ship.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 4:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:29:02 -0400

About a year ago, a CPL was going down the Warrior's tower here at FLW, MO. They stopped him halfway through and called everyone for "attention to orders". Promoted to Sergeant, horizontally.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 4:29 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:29:11 -0400

I got my promotion to O-4 in the mail...no kidding.

Response by MSgt Jeff "JAKe" Kranz made Oct 20 at 2015 4:30 PM

MSgt Jeff "JAKe" Kranz — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:30:06 -0400

It was 2003 and we were deployed to a FOL. An Airman and I were woken up just a few hours after our 12+ hour shift and told to report to the First Sergeant and the Commander. Once we arrived, they tried to play it off like the Airman did something wrong. They then smiled and congratulated him on making SSgt (E-5). The Airman looked at me with a weird look and I gave the same look to the Shirt and CO. After a few seconds of the awkward silence, they finally realized that he was an A1C and had the wrong guy.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 4:43 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:43:23 -0400

While in tech school I grabbed my LES during lunch (yeah, paper LESes, I'm old). I opened it before class got started and noticed my pay had jumped. I checked the rank and sure enough I made A1C without knowing it. I told the people around me "Holy crap, I'm an A1C now!" my instructor overheard me, noticed I was wearing AB stripes (none) and gave me paperwork for being out of uniform. I dropped my ABUs off to get stripes sewn on, but for the two days it took to get them back I had to sew my own stripes on. Let me tell you, one was almost shoulder height, the other almost touched my elbows, and I'm pretty sure both were crooked, but I sure as hell wasn't going back to class out of uniform again!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 5:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:48:05 -0400

Way back in '03 while attending an SRP prepping for our first deployment I was an E4 waiting in either the finance line or the Deros line and the person at that station addressed me as Sergeant. When I corrected them that I was only a SPC; they corrected me and said if it says SGT in their system then it is Official. The next day the CO called me in front of the formation to pin me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 5:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:58:45 -0400

My section sergeant was relieved due to a DUI on the eve of a major battalion OIP. I was a specialist one week out, but very good with inventory and accountability. During the briefing, they announced my name and the section. I saw my Battalion Commander motion for my Company Commander, then he motioned for the 1SG. After the brief, my Commander and 1SG called me over and said we are having your ceremony after lunch. I was ordered to laterally appoint you to CPL. The Battalion Commander said with an inspection this major, he's not going to jail for a specialist. If he's an NCO, he can handle his own charges. Granted none came out, my section scored commendable in all areas, and I was on my way to making SGT in under 3 years.

Response by PFC Janice Mayer made Oct 20 at 2015 6:23 PM

PFC Janice Mayer — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:23:22 -0400

In 1993 Army Times printed the points, & if you had a subscription you got it 3-4 days ahead of the PX. Knew 1ST wife from a different comp that my husband was in. She knew he was E-5P (infantry) & called to ask me his points. He made it by 1 pt -812. I personally had to make 3 calls to confirm he was allowed 10pts self-improvement, which hubbys 1ST denied was allowed. He grudgingly called him into office to say- "Congratulations SSG, go thank your wife." don't mess with a former enlisted spouse!!

Response by PFC Janice Mayer made Oct 20 at 2015 6:29 PM

PFC Janice Mayer — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:29:43 -0400

sons says- hustling across the FOB in Iraq, "morning TOP- get your ass over here- oh hell- get that PFC shit off and put on SPEC rank right now- uhhhh yes TOP!"

Response by TSgt James Hadley made Oct 20 at 2015 6:51 PM

TSgt James Hadley — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:51:42 -0400

I was notified of my fathers death on July 4th in 1996. With a heavy heart I flew home from Korea to attend the funeral. Since I was still a Buck Sgt and I entered service in 1986 I was due to separate a couple of weeks after my impending return. I argued with the First Sgt over the phone (respectfully). He insisted that I had to come back because I had used up all my leave time and they could not just give me an early out. So with only a couple of weeks left in the Service I flew back to Korea. The days went by slowly and one morning at Guard Mount after a very nervous night walking back from the ville, I was told that I was to have a important visitor on my post. I waited nervously and in walked the Commander, the First Sgt, the Superintendent, my Flight Sgt, and a Squad Ldr. They all crammed in the small room that I was posted in and I reported my post. After I was done with the statement the Commander said "What did you say your rank was SSgt Hadley." and pulled a set of SSgt stripes from behind his back. I lost all military bearing and basically took a deep bow!!!!

Response by MSgt Mike Ash made Oct 20 at 2015 7:05 PM

MSgt Mike Ash — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 19:05:45 -0400

When I was stationed in Alaska, the Commander came into my office and said - "I can't believe this!
Sgt Ash, do you have a magic marker?!" I thought, yeah, I was the training NCO and we used magic markers back in the day...he proceeded to write on my forehead a number...it was my promotion number...I wore it proudly through the day...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 8:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 20:07:18 -0400

Back in 2010 I was a Staff Sergeant at home taking care of my wife after her open heart surgery. My unit was downrange in Iraq and when she was healed up I was heading back out the door for my fourth deployment to the Middle East. I had forgotten about the Sergeant First Class board figuring I was going to get passed over again. I received a phone call that was very garbled with some dude asking if my name was Steven Allen. I responded "yeah", the voice then asked if my UIC was _____, I responded with "I don't know, who the hell is this?" The dude said "It's Campbell, congratulations (fill in the blank) you're #17"
CSM Campbell was my First Sergeant in OIF 1, he had just received the pre-po list while he was downrange and called me.

Response by PFC James Furman made Oct 20 at 2015 11:04 PM

PFC James Furman — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 23:04:15 -0400

A while back I had witnessed a navy roll call on board the captain was doing the roll call as i assume is norma. He gets to this poor guy his last name was stain. The captain calls him out as seamen stain looks over to some one and whispers "we have to promote this kid I refuse to say this again." And the next day he was promoted out of being a seamen. Probably one of the best things I got to see.

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Oct 20 at 2015 11:36 PM

CWO3 Randy Weston — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 23:36:41 -0400

While serving a tour at Ship Repair Facility Guam, my XO had talked me into submitting a package to the LDO/CWO board. I was a Chief and had just made time in grade to qualify for consideration. The Navy had just split my NEC out from the rest of fleet, which put our manning at the E-7, 8, and 9 level at over 300%. I wasn't going anywhere too fast. Several months after I submitted my package, on a Sunday morning at around 0500, I received a phone call from a very good friend from my first submarine who had received a commission through the LDO program 3 years earlier and was at that time a LtJg. He had duty and was making a message run for his ship in Virginia. He saw the AlNav for LDO/CWO results and my name was on it. He immediately called me from his Saturday noon to my very early Sunday morning. Once I woke up enough to comprehend what he was trying to tell me, that I had made CWO2, I honestly thought he was messing with me. It took him 15 minutes to convince me to believe him. After I go off the phone with my friend, I immediately called my XO and we met at the admin offices where we found the message and yes my name was on it. A phone call from half way around the world from a dear friend.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Oct 20 at 2015 11:37 PM

LTC John Mohor — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 23:37:17 -0400

While at Camp Roberts, CA during AT we were just starting to brief our group commander. The brand new XO that was replacing me in the unit shortly (I retired a couple months later) was a Major promotable. Just as she was starting the order of the briefing. The Colonel jumped up out of his seat and acted like he was pissed at how she started out the briefing. It Totally flustered her for the moment as he was continuing by saying "no, no, no this is all wrong we can't have this..." then he immediately told the S-1 Officer to publish the order as he proceeded to promote her to LTC on the spot. The look on her face was priceless. The rest of the staff was just as shocked as only the CSM and the S-1 were in on the Commanders plan.

Response by PO2 Matt Nicholson made Oct 21 at 2015 12:24 AM

PO2 Matt Nicholson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:24:12 -0400

I showed up to night shift and am promptly told-by my 2nd boss- that the MO wanted to see me. I replied with "Why me? I'm just an airman.." To which he replied "No you're not!" I was taken back for a moment, then he reminded me to maintain that surprised response when talking with the 'big guy', since he enjoyed popping that news on junior enlisted.

Response by PO2 Michael Henry made Oct 21 at 2015 1:44 AM

PO2 Michael Henry — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 01:44:25 -0400

I have two, one I heard of and the second happened to me.

A 19 year FC1 (Fire Controlman 1st Class) was busy doing maintenance/repair work to a NSSMS launcher onboard the Harry S Truman. FCC Ennis walks out to the launcher and orders him down from the launcher because Chief Petty Officers don't do maintenance. Happened about 8 months before I got there.

I was FC3 Henry at the time and at a Cableway Inspection school at NAS Norfolk on finals day. It was my turn to find three faults and identify them. They had to be different from everyone else's. While I am doing a quick scan for faults, a Senior Chief walks in with the advancement results hot off the printer. Said no one, but me advanced to the next rate. I was considerably upset because Senior Chief completely broke my train of thought and I had been hearing that BS for about 2-2.5 months straight without end. frankly was quite tired of it. Also I thought he too was yanking my chain until I saw the result. I couldn't have had a bigger "oh shit" look on my face.

Response by CPL Guy Grafton made Oct 21 at 2015 5:17 AM

CPL Guy Grafton — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 05:17:19 -0400

Actually I was the unusual one. I received my E-4 (SPC) rank quite some time ago ('86) when we still had the pin-ons. My CDR had me in formation, said his speech, then began putting the rank on my collar. However, he (sorta) forgot about the grommets in the back, then proceeded to do the "blood rank pound" (For those who recall was the closed fist pound on both sides of the collar). I stood there proud, didn't flinch. After formation, I casually had my section chief take me to sick call and had the doc pry one of the ranks out of my collarbone. OUCH!!

Response by PO1 Jim Kerick made Oct 21 at 2015 10:31 AM

PO1 Jim Kerick — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 10:31:50 -0400

Going to DP3 and DP2, both times a cook, Mess Specialist, told me before I could get to the passageway and search the results they pinned up. The cooks on the USS Puget Sound (AD38) always seemed to have the inside scoop out of the Radio room.

Response by MSgt E. W. Forbess made Oct 21 at 2015 1:41 PM

MSgt E. W. Forbess — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:41:00 -0400

Due to an "early disclosure" by an acquaintance in Personnel, we were able to place a new SSgt strip between the ham and cheese slices on a coworker's sandwich. He was thrilled with the new stripes, but worried about how to act surprised when the commander notified him later in the week.

Response by SPC William Robinson made Oct 21 at 2015 2:05 PM

SPC William Robinson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:05:19 -0400

I given my E-4 while in Red Chuck Taylor High Tops and in my 94B Cook whites.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Oct 21 at 2015 3:34 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:34:25 -0400

It was the late 80's and a JAG at a base in Italy had a melt down on the day of a big courts-martial. Bad enough that he was required to be Air evac'd to "get the air pumped back in his brain". He left on a med-evac as a Captain and returned as a Major, so I guess getting promoted while in-patient care is pretty unusual.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 3:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:48:53 -0400

I know this isn't a promotion story but still...

Back when Article 15s were conducted in formation, a 1SG in one of our units pulled out his buck knife and held it out in front of a Soldier who was receiving the 15. When the commander said the word "reduced," the 1SG promptly sawed the rank off of both collars. I let him know that he probably shouldn't assault his Soldiers in open formation and I wasn't intent on going back to witness second readings after that.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Oct 21 at 2015 6:33 PM

SPC William Weedman — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:33:10 -0400

In Korea in 1989 two of my best friends and I were all promoted to PFC (along with nearly every other PV2 in the company). My best friends were roommates and one was on a mission at the DMZ, scheduled to return in a couple days. After a DMZ detail his team allowed the returning soldier the day off to square away anything personal. He knew of our promotion but didn't say anything. He was told to report to final formation. He showed up, on his day off in a t-shirt, shorts and sandals. I have a photograph of his roommate pouring a jerry can full of water over him as he is doing push ups for "being promoted out of uniform". Push-ups and water were standard fare for promotion (snow during winter) in our unit.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 6:24 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 06:24:30 -0400

I was on leave visiting family and completely forgot about the release date. I got about 5 or 6 text messages from co-workers telling me congrats. I had no clue what they were talking about until someone said Congrats on Staff.

Response by CPO Jerry Smith made Oct 22 at 2015 11:50 AM

CPO Jerry Smith — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:50:41 -0400

I was promoted to HM3 by R.B. Talbott, LT COL, USMC, Commanding Officer of HDQTRS Co, III Marine Amphibious Brigade, DANANG, Vietnam. Marine Corps get their blood stripe at E-4, so I had my crow and a kick in the leg at the same time.

Response by SFC Mark Bailey made Oct 22 at 2015 1:05 PM

SFC Mark Bailey — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:05:30 -0400

For the first few years in the US Army I did not drink coffee....because everyone called it "Lifer Juice" and I was not staying in. I made E-5 right after I re-enlisted but did not realize it until I walked into the TO&E Room and saw a big steaming cup of Lifer Juice in a cup with my name painted on it.

I shouted out "Hot Damn, I made SGT..!!!"

Response by SPC Christopher Jackson made Oct 22 at 2015 2:17 PM

SPC Christopher Jackson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 14:17:18 -0400

its not easy being a soldier. its never about you but your unit, your buddies. your weapon isn't to save your life, its to save your comrades lives.

Response by LTC Donell Kelly made Oct 22 at 2015 5:58 PM

LTC Donell Kelly — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:58:52 -0400

We had an admin in our Reserve unit that was literally over a year behind in posting/awarding promotions. I waited for 6 months after receiving my promotion letter from the USAR, then went down & had CPT's rank sewn onto my BDU's. When I showed up at drill as a CPT, I was questioned, and produced the promotion letter that was already 6 months old. Despite all that, the POS person managed to remain in the unit for his tenure, managed to ruin the careers of several soldiers and finally retired out, and is no doubt still a POS as a human being.

Response by TSgt Brian Brown made Oct 22 at 2015 7:49 PM

TSgt Brian Brown — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 19:49:34 -0400

When I got STEP promoted to TSgt, I was called and told to come in immediately in my Dress Blues by my Chief. Said I had to see General Breedlove and they made it sound like I did something wrong. Was quite the shock when the General promoted me. Most memorable promotion of my career.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Oct 23 at 2015 12:09 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 00:09:44 -0400

SMSgt Tony Barnes I love senior NCOs... As every time I was promoted, I was called by an Army CSM... days before the list (promotion and command) was released, to congratulate me.... How do they know?

But, the most unusual... would be me... I was flagged by the DAIG for over 3 years based on false allegation against me... when it was finally cleared.... The VCSA (Vice Chief of Staff, Army) called me personally to tell me I was cleared, and I would have promotion orders in short order... It was in less than 5 minutes... and I was promoted 19 months late... with back pay..

Response by SGT DeAnna Slettebak made Oct 23 at 2015 1:58 AM

SGT DeAnna Slettebak — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 01:58:50 -0400

My grandfather returned from a four day (honeymoon) in 1943 and was brought in front of the commander for being out of uniform. The commander smiled and handed my grandfather his new SGT stripes and the rest of the day to correct his uniforms.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Oct 23 at 2015 11:05 AM

SSG Todd Halverson — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:05:41 -0400

I actually have 2 of them. The was when I got my mosquito wings. I was out processing from basic and the personnel office asked me if my date of rank was correct. I said what date of rank and she said for PV2. Looking confused she said you were just promoted the other day. The second time was when I was deployed to Bosnia. I was working in the office when the phone rang. I said what office this was but not my name. It was the CSM and he wanted to talk to SGT Halverson. I said their must be some confusion CSM because I am SPC Halverson. He then tells me I was promoted 2 weeks ago and that my Chain of Command was informed, but apparently they forgot to relay the message.

Response by SPC Antonio Massaro made Oct 23 at 2015 12:30 PM

SPC Antonio Massaro — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:30:57 -0400

There was one I was in where a fellow was being called in front of the platoon after somehow his ex-wife had gotten the 1SG's number. It didn't went well for him, that I waited until after the formation to come forth in speaking with Top along with my NCOIC and told them about this woman and how she had committed adultery with other service members and that she got mad that he had to get an annulment (after a few weeks of marriage) on knowing this. Time after, she never called again.

But this story, is just great. I guess she was excited, and things went well for the MSG.

Response by MSgt Shawn Doyle made Oct 23 at 2015 4:45 PM

MSgt Shawn Doyle — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:45:09 -0400

I was a SSgt stationed at RAF Fairford, 424th ABS, in 1999, when at a Commanders Call, just after a successful Kosovo operation, the 100th Wing Commander, then Colonel Glenn Spears (retired as Lt General), was giving kudos and praising our squadron for the tremendous support that was provided to the B-52s that had temporarily been stationed at our location. He spoke to each of the sections and to the work they had accomplished, starting with our AMMO flight. As you might have guessed, the AMMO troops shouted out “If you ain’t AMMO, you ain’t shit”, there was such uproar. Next, Colonel Glenn started to speak of our legal office and our contributions, and of course being the only Paralegal assigned to the base, I shouted out “If you ain’t Legal, you ain’t shit”. The place broke out in hysteria. The SJA, Major Gill and I were the Legal Office for RAF Fairford during that time frame and so everyone knew us. It was then that Colonel Glenn proceeded to call me up front and along with Command CMSgt Miller promoted me to TSgt under the STEP program. Needless to say I was taken back, but thrilled. It was also after that assignment that I was awarded an MSM as a TSgt. As I look back, it was a GREAT assignment.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 7:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 19:31:35 -0400

The night before Thanksgiving in Afghanistan I waited up all night refreshing the screen on AKO. Didn't see the file updated for promotions, so I went to bed, thinking oh well the HR Command guys went for their 4 day without uploading the promotions list. Few hours later, I was woken up by my 1SG screaming in my aid station looking for me. I didn't even realize what was going on, and he came over shook my hand and congratulate me. it took me while to realize, oh wait, I got promoted. Best Thanksgiving!!!

And btw I came back home for R&R to be pinned by my kids, and my Battery Commander who got injured within weeks of us getting there.

Response by Sgt Kyle Joseph made Oct 24 at 2015 3:22 PM

Sgt Kyle Joseph — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 15:22:47 -0400

Watched a major get promoted to ltcol in Shannon Ireland airport by senator John McCain in August of 09

Response by SFC David Brunk made Oct 24 at 2015 9:59 PM

SFC David Brunk — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 21:59:00 -0400

Let's see if any one can top this ... I wasn't the best of troops in my younger years but loved being in the field. I'd usually get into some sort of trouble when we were in Garrison. I was a SPC in front of the Battalion Commander for a Field Grade AR-15. As he was reading me the riot act he informed me if it weren't for the infraction I'd have been promoted to SGT. The Legal clerk then informed the COL. that no one flagged my records and I was a SGT. Promoted at the same time getting an AR-15. Oh, BTW, I got a suspended bust, fined, restricted, and extra duty. But that's another story ...

Response by CPO David Sharp made Oct 26 at 2015 4:11 PM

CPO David Sharp — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:11:08 -0400

Posthumously

Response by Sgt Vance Bonds made Nov 5 at 2015 6:25 PM

Sgt Vance Bonds — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:25:58 -0500

Colonel walked in with paper copies of Staff Sergeant Stripes (About six inches across) and a staple gun.
Told the troop, you've been promoted. This might hurt. LoL we about died laughing. We were at Bagram at the time.

Response by CW3 Cliff Blizzard made Jan 8 at 2016 11:18 AM

CW3 Cliff Blizzard — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 11:18:37 -0500

We used to fill a jeep trailer up with water and ice and get dunked in it.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Jan 9 at 2016 5:53 PM

MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 17:53:11 -0500

I was at Commander's call. The CO said that Vietnam was getting hot and Flight Engineers were being asked to replace Flight Mechanics. Hr then handed out vanilla envelopes with our orders. I told the guy next to me, I am not going to open it. He opened it and there were minachur (first time) E-7 stripes. Later he had three of us pose with Santa Claus presenting the stripes. Our picture ended up in the Air Force Times. That is how mt sister found out. We found out the LTC was a Public Relations man on the out side. We were also the last to get promoted with out a "line"..

Response by CW2 Mickie Davis made Jan 14 at 2016 2:56 PM

CW2 Mickie Davis — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:56:39 -0500

I was with a Hawk Missile Bn in Germany 1968. One morning I had KP and (horribly hung over) had pots and pans. Oh, you reported at 0400. About 0900 I heard someone bellow my name from the dining room and was told to report. I ran out to the the dining room and the Btry Cdr and 1st Shirt were there. They promoted me to Sp5 and took me off the remainder of my KP. I think I was more happy to get away from the smell of the mess hall as I was being promoted to E5.

Response by MAJ Raymond Haynes made Apr 13 at 2017 2:25 PM

MAJ Raymond Haynes — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:25:30 -0400

My last promotion in the Corps, The I MAF C.O. pinned it on. He bent forward and whispered that me and the Commandant of the Marine Corps have something in common.............................. We both reached our highest rank.

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Apr 13 at 2017 3:25 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:25:38 -0400

I was in Baumholder Germany in 1973-76. I was a SPC and everyday I would knock on the 1SG door and ask when I was going to the NCO Academy...I did this for about 2 months and on a Friday I knocked, and he yelled through the door, If that is Krutzsch, you are going Monday! Holy crap, now I have to prepare. Went to the NCO Academy in Baumholder, I was one of 2 or 3 SPC attending (At that time E4 t0 E7 attended the same academy) I was awarded honor graduate and the Leadership award, and when they gave them to me the CG, General Joseph McDonough came up and pinned my SGT stripes on, I had no clue

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2017 4:00 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 16:00:34 -0400

I moved from Castle AFB CA to Minot AFB ND between testing for MSgt and line numbers. I studied my ass off and I blew through both tests. No doubt in my mind that MSgt was simply a matter of waiting for the line numbers to come out. I was not shy about my opinion over it. When line numbers came out I was on leave. When I returned the NCOIC, MSgt David Wilson, we did not like each other at all, could not let it go that I did not get a line number. I told him, I made it, the line number notice just didn't make it here. I then walked over to the squadron admin office and asked that they do a check for me. They could not get to it right then, but said they would call me. About hour and a half later the everyone in the shop starts coming in from the flight line. Admin had called and told MSgt Wilson to gather his troops, he was on his way over and wanted to speak to them. Commander comes over to the shop and hands me a pair of stripes. He apologizes for the mistake, but there were no hard feelings.
I had two David Wilsons for NCOICs while in the AF.

January 13th 1984, I was walking back to the shop after breakfast. The shop had taken me to the NCO club because it was my birthday. Admin jeep pulls up beside us and tells me to get in; commander wants to see me. I thought I was in trouble, but he had E-5 stripes for me; on my freaking 21st birthday.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2017 4:08 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 16:08:04 -0400

I watched a SPC(P) get thrown a SGT patch by his PSG from across the hall. With a confused look on his face, he looked at the smirking SFC and asked why he threw it at it. The SFC merely looked at him and said -- loud enough for everyone in the hallway to hear -- "put it on, sh*thead! You just got promoted."

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made Apr 13 at 2017 5:54 PM

SSG Steven Mangus — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 17:54:20 -0400

I was notified by fax, in my Office, from the states when I promoted to E-6. Apparently what had happened was the servicing PSB made a mistake on my points and my losing PSB say that I was not on the promotion list, which caused the promotions clerk to have another recomp done and ensured my correct points. I took the fax to the commander's office and I was promoted that afternoon..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2017 6:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 18:08:12 -0400

I had two. The first one was in '03. I was assigned to the MGS platoon in 1-5 IN and had planned my re enlistment to happen on top of an M60 static display. Went through the re-enlistment ceremony and started to climb down from the tank when I noticed that the 1SG and commander were still standing on it. 1SG yells out get back up here. I was totally clueless. The CO then says that my paperwork is wrong, that the paperwork gives my rank as Spc when it should read Sgt. They then proceeded to pin my stripes on. 1SG nearly knocked me completely off the top of that tank blood pinning me but it was worth it.
The second one was in '10. I was in reserve component as a Spc. Was preparing to go to Reserve component DSS. BN CSM passed by me while my Squad leader was doing an inventory of my gear prior to my school date. He watched us for a few minutes then stated to my senior that I wasn't prepared for DSS. He grabbed the Spc rank off my ACU blouse ripped it off and proceeded to slap on Cpl stripes turned on his heel and said that I was now ready. It took my senior telling me and handing me the orders before I realized what happened.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Apr 13 at 2017 6:09 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 18:09:30 -0400

I had an PFC in my battery's commo shop. While we were in Iraq 2003-2004, he went on leave. When he returned, the commo sergeant and PSG told him he was in deep shit as there was an ANCD missing that he was signed for. I called the Battery to attention (yes we had a formation in Ramadi) and called him up front of the battery. While he was facing me, I said turn around, I can't stand to look at you right now. I turned it over to the commander who also said something about probably getting court martialed. The commander nodded to me and I read his promotion orders to SPC. He was totally unsuspecting. He still remembers this promotion to this day

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2017 6:45 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 18:45:46 -0400

I knew my packet for SGT had been submitted and approved/recommended for promotion, but I was waiting on results/orders. Before I had orders in hand, it was AKO that told me. I had logged into AKO to check my email when I noticed my rank had changed. Sure enough, in my email was a notice that I had a new document iPermed. It was my promotion order.

Response by SGT Eric Hawkins made Apr 13 at 2017 7:07 PM

SGT Eric Hawkins — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 19:07:04 -0400

I was on ADVON at Fort Polk in preparation for a deployment to Kosovo. My squad leader walked up to me when he arrived and said, "Congrats, you and ________ just made Sergeant. Now, get back to work."

Response by PO1 RIchard Petty made Apr 14 at 2017 4:22 AM

PO1 RIchard Petty — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 04:22:15 -0400

Well when I made AO1(E6 in Navy) in'04 my LPO (Leading Petty Officer) AO1 Jostad had called me at home and was asking a bunch of questions about the previous nights passdown log, work and paperwork that been completed fucked up and why the RSL (Ready Service Locker) was messed and bunch of the other things she keep saying what should I do with that AO1 who messed up my shit and keeped asking what should she do with Nightshift AO1, it took me about 15 minutes to realize I made AO1 and was told by my fellow AO1. That was a proud moment then.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2017 9:04 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 21:04:59 -0400

In the jet, fingertip formation from the flight lead.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2017 3:42 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 03:42:08 -0400

I was notified that I made cutoff by my PSG via voicemail then group text message while I was sitting in a porta-john during a field exercise.

Response by SFC Gordon Lamb made Apr 20 at 2017 5:33 PM

SFC Gordon Lamb — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 17:33:41 -0400

When I made PFC, my Section Sergeant busted into my room, obviously upset and loudly stated "Well I couldn't stop it!" threw my rank on my bunk and stormed out.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 11:48 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 11:48:59 -0400

I was deployed to Iraq. Got a message that the first sergeant was looking for me and I needed to make contact with him. My first thought was that something had happened to my family. Nobody would budge and tell me what was going on when I asked if my family was okay. Figured it out when I arrived at the dfac and me and a couple of other guys were forced into an impromptu mentorship session. Lost all respect for everyone involved....make me suffer for two hours thinking my wife or newborn son might have been in jeopardy.

Response by SCPO Mark Jenkins made Aug 3 at 2017 11:50 AM

SCPO Mark Jenkins — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 11:50:58 -0400

I received a text message to call my CO ASAP, I called immediately and the Skipper went on to explain to me that I was reported on for being out of Uniform. I was a Career Recruiter and very conscientious about my appearance because of being in public eye all the time. It wasn't unusual to get calls from Government Officials if they see a Service Member looking taced. On that day it just so happened that I was in NYC attending a Major Recruiting event with some local officials in attendance so needless to say I had some serious concerns. I thought I was sharp as can be, what was it? Long story short, He told me my collar devices were wrong and that I should have on Anchors with Stars on them. Congratulations "Senior Chief"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 11:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 11:50:59 -0400

Text from 1SG:

1SG: You have courtesy patrol at the barracks this weekend

Me: But that duty is for E6Ps and above

1SG: yes it is...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 11:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 11:59:48 -0400

I was sleeping outside a vehicle at a compound in Kandahar province. My Squad leader woke me up at 0200ish and told me I needed to get up and check the BFT, my PSG sent a message to let me know I was now a SGT

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 1:10 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 13:10:21 -0400

An extremely unfortunate series of events led to one of my coworkers not knowing he made E-5 until a year after the fact. I'm not admin, so how any of this happened and how many people dropped the ball is unknown to me. This is all through the grapevine, but what I can confirm is that he DID wear the wrong rank for a year.
So he tested for Staff, didn't really study for it or feel that confident about it, so he didn't bother checking for his name when the results came out; his name WAS on it.
There was an outage down at AFPC not long after the results were released, and his records were corrupted. They called up to our squadron and asked for promotion numbers. The CSS had the list saved, but, somehow, missed his name on it when provided the information, so AFPC populated the promotion list without him on it. The commander was CC'd, and trusted it, so she never bothered checking the list to see if that was true.
Somewhere in all that, MILPDS semi-updated with his proper information, but provided no notification to anybody, to include DFAS, which continued disbursing E-4 pay.
Well, everyone starts getting WAPS notices next year, save for him. He had actually been studying and felt confident, so he got worried when it was getting time to sign his paperwork and nothing was coming down. So he talked to CSS who went into his MILPDS....and found out he had been E-5 for about ten months already. It was a massive scramble and a blur at that point. Phones were exploding, paperwork was everywhere. He got one Hell of a payout from DFAS in backpay and allowances and immediately sewed on Staff.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Aug 3 at 2017 1:39 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 13:39:52 -0400

Saw a coach get his announcement from the tower on the firing line at Parris Island

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Aug 3 at 2017 4:47 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 16:47:54 -0400

Had someone I knew who read he was promoted in the Army Times. He set up an elaborate Promotion Party, only to find out, He was NOT promoted..Don't believe the Army Times!

Response by SSG Michael Snow made Aug 17 at 2017 3:46 PM

SSG Michael Snow — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 15:46:16 -0400

He was me crew chief in Korea and on leave down town in his huse and i went down and gave him the papers so he could wear it to work in 21 days.

Response by SSG Chris Yeager made Dec 8 at 2017 7:37 PM

SSG Chris Yeager — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 19:37:31 -0500

As a E-3 - Safety briefing for 4th of July weekend. Got called in front of BN, and was told had a three pass (4 day weekend) and as a new SPC had duty on Sunday. Then got pinned and released until Sunday.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2017 7:56 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 19:56:27 -0500

My coworker made A1C (E-4) and the office was decked out with signs of congratulations for her accomplishment. It was not easy in those days. Then someone found out that I also made A2C and my name was added to a sign with a piece of scratch paper saying and A@C Porter

Response by MCPO Jim Johns made Dec 8 at 2017 10:02 PM

MCPO Jim Johns — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 22:02:06 -0500

1962. Carrier operating in westpac. 1st class MM was called to mess decks. He had been involved in overhauling a pump and looked like it. He had taken the CPO exam and apparently aced it. A team of navy Chiefs flew aboard and gave him another test to verify he had not somehow cheated on the original test. He missed only one question on the second test. The ship's Captain was present when the 1st class was informed of the results. The Captain immediately came up, offered his hand, and said "Congratulations Chief. Move into the CPO quarters immediately. The 1sr class stated his thanks and that he would move when he finished the pump overhaul. Seems as if he had some junior sailors he was teaching regarding pump overhaul.

Response by Angel Skaggs made Dec 10 at 2017 8:44 AM

Angel Skaggs — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 08:44:12 -0500

During PT

Response by 1SG Charles Rivenburgh made Jun 27 at 2018 4:20 PM

1SG Charles Rivenburgh — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 16:20:26 -0400

I called all my SSGs forward in front of the formation. Then I used the old joke. I then said that I wanted all my SSGs to take one step backward. As they all moved back one step, I asked SSG XXXX where was he going. He stood fast and we began his promotion ceremony. Not original by any means, but it was fun and we watched a deserving NCO get his just reward.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 6:05 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 18:05:12 -0400

My CO thought it was funny to announce the e6 results over the announcing circuit while I was standing quarterdeck watch. He left my name out on purpose and didnt tell me I made it until I got relieved for lunch. I guess the CMC told him to do it because he thought it would be funny since it took me longer than usual to make e6 due to previously being masted from e5 to e4

Response by PO2 Justin Lasley made Oct 22 at 2018 9:22 PM

PO2 Justin Lasley — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 21:22:29 -0400

The day I found out I picked up Second Class I’m coming back from the mess decks during an underway period, and immediately as I come through the secure door in the CVIC my Senior Chief steps out and with that serious “you’ve jacked up” face points into the office says to get in there. Immediately my thoughts go to “dear God, what did I do?” As I step into the office, my entire immediate CoC is in there (LT, SCPO, IS1, and all three IS2s) and Senior motions to have me sit down while everyone else is standing. Senior asks if I know why I’m in here, obviously I answer no, and with the most serious look on his face looks at me and says “I just got a report today and after reading it I want to say...... congratulations you picked up Second.” I was so in shock I never stood up while shaking everyone’s hands, and I almost asked him if he was screwing with me in those terms. Everyone had a good laugh about it, but I unfortunately was not excited about being promoted as the rest of my division including the other five guys who picked up Second that day.

Quick back story: new to the Reagan as Peleliu was decommed and I spent the deployment on Pel working in Security and not in my field, so I didn’t have a whole lot of experience coming in. I was able to test early but didn’t expect to pick up Second especially the first time, but instead of excitement I was filled with worry and questioning why me.

Response by PO2 Christopher Sennett made Oct 23 at 2018 2:01 PM

PO2 Christopher Sennett — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 14:01:34 -0400

Being a prior-service Marine in a Navy Reserve unit, and not having seen how promotions/frockings go, I was not aware of how they worked, and no one in the unit thought to tell me. I had been notified of my selection to Second Class, and would be flocked the next drill weekend I was at. At the drill weekend, at the pre-lunch muster, I get flocked wearing third class crows. The CMC reads the frocking letter, the CO shakes my hand, and whispers "You are out of uniform."
We are then dismissed for lunch. I spend my lunch period at the exchange at the tailors getting the correct insignia sown on my uniform on the spot, and reported back in time for muster wearing the correct insignia. It surprised the CO. I replied I had spent lunch getting them sown on.

Response by MSgt Ray Carlson made Oct 23 at 2018 7:13 PM

MSgt Ray Carlson — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 19:13:14 -0400

I was just off active duty about a year and drilling in a reserve unit. One day i got a thick envelope in the mail with my SSgt. stripes and promotion orders. No wasted ceremony there, buddy. lol

Response by PO1 TheBee Ef A made Oct 23 at 2018 8:54 PM

PO1 TheBee Ef A — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 20:54:47 -0400

I was an E5 in the Navy, and was dealing with an ex wife and child support issues, but it had been taken care of and was going smoothly. I get called into the Command Master Chief's office, and my department chief was sitting in there also. The Master Chief started yelling at me about having told me to get the child support situation resolved, and I was stuttering trying to explain that everything was taken care of and I had no idea of any problems going on with it, and he says that's not what he's being told. I kind of stood there looking dumbfounded, and my chief says "This is not what we would expect of a First Class Petty Officer". I thought he meant that because I was up for it, I wasn't deserving of the rank. I was still trying to explain that nothing seemed out of the ordinary with my child support payments, and he interrupted me and said "Did you hear what I said? I said First Class Petty Officer." Then they both started smiling and shook my hand and congratulated me. They put on a pretty decent show and I was shitting bricks haha.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 9:23 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 21:23:28 -0400

I was in Iraq in a remote location. One of our master chiefs came out for a visit and told me that I was out of uniform and I needed to put on the rank of PO2

Response by 1SG Steven Malkowski made Oct 23 at 2018 9:34 PM

1SG Steven Malkowski — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 21:34:09 -0400

I was working day shift as an MP in Ansbach, FRG. I was assigned to gate duty at 1st AD HQ . Because I had to be on duty early, I was not present at morning formation back at the unit. Apparently promotions were made and I was promoted to PFC but didn't know it. I was on duty with my PV2 rank on. My platoon sergeant came driving into HQ and I was on the traffic barrel directing cars into the kasserne. He stopped in front of me and yelled " If you're not in the right uniform tomorrow morning I'll see to it you lose those stripes". I had no clue what he was talking about because I was squared away. THAT was October 8, 1977, Hindenburg Kasserne, Ansbach, FRG. The PSG was SSG John Phillip Souza, no fooling.

Response by SSG Skylur Britz made Oct 23 at 2018 9:53 PM

SSG Skylur Britz — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 21:53:47 -0400

I was told that I had made points for SSG while I was in what would be the second month of a three month stay in the hospital. Odd thing was I hadn't gone to a promotion board yet, I had however gone to a NCO of the month board the day I went into the hospital and the 1SGs and CSM thought I did a good job, so they counted it as my promotion board.

Response by SSG Brian Edwards made Oct 24 at 2018 8:51 AM

SSG Brian Edwards — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:51:06 -0400

When I got to Korea to the turtle farm, I was a SSG, we'll go to find out my orders had

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2018 10:57 AM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 10:57:56 -0400

I have a buddy that’s been trying to go into the ING with the Guard. His paperwork got flubbed up somewhere along the way and he rejoined our unit after going through the whole process. He went in to get a new CaC at the DEERs office and instead of 1LT, it said CPT.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Oct 24 at 2018 1:45 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 13:45:19 -0400

These stories are hilarious!

Response by SFC Mark Lathan made Oct 24 at 2018 3:09 PM

SFC Mark Lathan — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 15:09:41 -0400

I had a Soldier that was for the most part a very good troop, but was known to push boundaries a bit. When we promoted her to SPC, I handed her PFCs back to her and said: “ keep these, just in case.”

Response by PO2 Killashandra Leigh made Oct 24 at 2018 4:09 PM

PO2 Killashandra Leigh — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:09:38 -0400

When I made PO2, I got called on the carpet by the Chief about being "out of uniform". I didn't even know that the exam results were out, or that the list had been generated, but they showed me, and there I was in the first increment. I was also immediately informed that I was delinquent in my qualifications as a Sonar Supervisor. The second Chevron went on the next day, and I took care of the other within the month.

Response by PO2 Sam Choe made Oct 24 at 2018 4:19 PM

PO2 Sam Choe — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:19:08 -0400

A good friend of mine played trick on me when becoming an NCO (PO3) a cycle before. His LPO and I are pretty close so once we found out he picked up PO3, I got his LPO to play along to make it sound like he was involved with the wall punch incidents at the barracks 2 weeks before. (Perfect timing) Got his LPO to chew him out over the phone (friend worked 2nd shift at the time) and told him to get his dress whites ready.
The LPO also got the CMC involved so it was going to be awesome!
However,
The CO was making his rounds congratulating everyone and the prank was ruined.... So the LPO and I were trying to get the CO to go somewhere else so we could have fun with our friend before the great news.... Yet he comes running in with his uniform somewhat messed up right to the CO... (Dammit)
The CO says, "SN Exxxx, I am so disappointed in you, I thought you were a great sailor who contributes to our command but how could you?" (His LPO and I have a blank shakedown with each other)
CO continues, "and look at your uniform, its a mess AND most importantly you're out of uniform... Congratulations on making 3rd class" That face expression on him, priceless.... (So the CMC actually let the CO know about our ploy and decided to play along) Where you at John? This story is for you hahhah

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2018 7:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 19:32:04 -0400

Buddy of mine got a text from the admin NCO with a link to the song “You’re Welcome” from Moana. A follow up text said “check your email.” The email had his promotion order attached.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 10:06 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 10:06:17 -0400

So a couple of years ago, my unit was getting ready to head to FT McCoy for some training. About a day prior to departure, one of my Specialists was also working on getting his SGT Promotion packet built. He was going thru his iPerms to find his 4178s advancements to PFC and SPC. He saw a new document, and it was his orders for SGT. Turns out, BN S1 had those orders for a month and never notified the unit.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 11:53 AM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:53:22 -0400

Called into the skippers office, told to remove the 'fouled anchors” on my coller, thought I was being busted from Chief Petty offiicer. Very confused, thought I had been caught doing something shady, or bending the rules too much, something a Chief would never do. . The skipper looked me streight in the eye said welcome aboard Ensign Riddle, pinned two gold bars on my collors.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 1:47 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 13:47:53 -0400

I was a 2Lt, assigned to an artillery battalion in Hanau Germany, my major additional duty was as battery motor officer. One day I am in the motor pool when a runner comes down saying that the Battalion Commander wanted to see me ASAP.

I am a little perplexed, as I head up to the headquarters building. I asked the S1 on the way what was going on, he said he didn’t know but the “old man” was upset and I needed to report to him. I am a little anxious. I report to the LTC, he looks at me for a moment and starts chewing me out for nothing… You’ve been seen in the motor pool wearing mechanics coveralls, etc. Mind you I am still standing at attention in front of his desk. After a few minutes of this he gets out of his chair, pulls a knife out of his pocket and cuts the sewn on rank off my collar. I am stunned, have no idea what just happened. Then from behind me the S1 reads “Attention to Orders”…

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 3:20 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 15:20:02 -0400

I knew a guy who was passed over twice for captain. He appealed an OER, but while the appeal was going through the system he had to start out processing from the Army. He was at post G-1 when the phone rang. His BN CO tracked him down and told him be needed to come back to battalion and do some outprocessing there that was overlooked.
When he arrived the entire staff and his wife were waiting. His appeal of the offending OER was approved and a special promotion board met. He was promoted to captain with an effective DOR from the first promotion board that passed him over along with all the back pay. He suddenly had DOR on his company commander and was the senior captain in the battalion.

Response by CPL Melissa Williams made Oct 26 at 2018 12:30 AM

CPL Melissa Williams — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 00:30:24 -0400

No one in my unit told me about my promotion to (at that time) E-4 (Cpl). Found out on my paystub and asked the CO of my unit...

Response by SSG Brian Carpeneter made Oct 26 at 2018 8:02 AM

SSG Brian Carpeneter — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 08:02:35 -0400

My whole company were told to read a new policy on our daily board in hallway of hq. I came in wondering what

Response by SSG Brian Carpeneter made Oct 26 at 2018 8:03 AM

SSG Brian Carpeneter — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 08:03:47 -0400

Everyone was looking at hilighted army times promoting me to SSG

Response by CW2 Chris Wilson made Oct 27 at 2018 1:11 AM

CW2 Chris Wilson — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 01:11:59 -0400

I recall the way I was notified of being promoted to E5. I wasn't. I noticed my LES said I was an E5 and I pinned it on without any drama. The same thing happened later when I was promoted to CW2. The orders showed up in an email some time after DFAS had already known and had been paying me. I had to advise my OIC he needed to swear me in to make it a legal commission and submit the form to personnel. As I recall, that same OIC was an O4 at the time. When he was promoted to O5, there was no notification or fanfare. He grabbed a sharpie and blackened in his gold leafs. Absolutely true story.

Response by SPC Alex Snow made Nov 1 at 2018 10:06 AM

SPC Alex Snow — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 10:06:47 -0400

As myself, my ERB. Was e2 then it said e3. I was getting paid for it for almost a month. So I threw on my PFC, no ceremony or anything. No one said anything either. Then my 1sg noticed downrange later that year that I spent almost 18 months as a PFC and my peers who had joined up after me were being promoted to SPC before me. He had a come to Jesus with Truck (SFC) in front of the entire office with the commander, xo, section leader, AND battalion XO (iirc) that I was going to be promoted by the end if the month. Fun stuff.

Response by Sgt Ken Crouse made Nov 1 at 2018 9:57 PM

Sgt Ken Crouse — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 21:57:14 -0400

In 1975 I was a Lance Corporal and a member of the Marine Security Guard Detachment at the American Embassy in Saigon, RVN. $hit the fan and we left somewhat hurriedly :-) ... float over to Manila where our C.O. and all Staff NCO's were recalled to D.C. along with everyone who had less than a year on the program. That left myself and 15-18 others to sit around until we received orders for our next post. I received my orders about 3-weeks later and off to Asmara, Ethiopia I went (now the capital of Eritrea). Anyway, upon arrival my NCOIC kept referring to me as "Corporal" Crouse - he told me that's how it is on all the telegrams from HQ. He sent off a request for clarification and we were informed by date of rank for promotion to Corporal was 01 May 1975, about 3 weeks prior. Sure glad it happened that way as pinning on Blood Stripes at the Marine Bar in Saigon could have been a crippling experience :-) - and the Marines in Asmara couldn't touch me as I was already a Corporal when I reported in... one of the few good memories of 1975.

Response by SGT Harold Watson made Nov 3 at 2018 12:43 PM

SGT Harold Watson — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 12:43:44 -0400

I was with 4/31st Inf in Vietnam 1968-69 being an RTO...It was a terrible time not only fighting the enemy but the constant rains from the monsoon made it ugly....In early 1969 I was a PFC then not knowing that I made SP4 until a month after I got promoted...no one told me...I only found out when I went on R & R where I got my orders which had "SP4" on it...sure surprised me

Response by SPC Tim Mitcham made Nov 6 at 2018 8:15 PM

SPC Tim Mitcham — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 20:15:58 -0500

While I was Army, my brother in law was a Marine - before cell phones. My sister and brother in law were coming to town to visit. He left our phone number at his work as an emergency number. While they were somewhere enroute, we received a call from one of my brother in laws NCOs who informed me that he had made Colonel. I quickly made a sign post attached to a base. I drew a Colonel's "bird" on an appropriately sized piece of poster board and under it printed "Parking Only". He saw it when he pulled into his parking place. :-) I'm sure there are better stories out there, but this was the best I had. LOL

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Nov 18 at 2018 5:30 PM

SFC Francisco Rosario — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 17:30:25 -0500

My own experience was that i was in Iraq, and while there i received an email from someone congratulating me. The person who congratulated me is an individual who was never a close friend or someone who i would have been close to. He saw the list and sent me a notice on AKO. Two days later my chain of command gave me the good news.

Response by SSG(P) Brian Kliesen made Nov 28 at 2018 1:44 PM

SSG(P) Brian Kliesen — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 13:44:39 -0500

In the Army Reserve, it all depends on your command. I had submitted over a dozen promotion packets for E5, and had kept sending them in to just piss off the S1. No one was getting promoted, the command didn't care, and the CSM's were wondering what the hold up was as they kept telling soldiers to put in their packets. Somewhere was a stack of packets probably holding a door open or sitting next to a broken shredder at our Headquarters. I kept asking around, sending in packets, and finally got a random call from the RSC. My name was on the unable to promote list because my command hadn't updated my points to the new system for over a year. I had the most points on the list and they wanted to know what the holdup was. More phone calls were made, people became angry, and our HQ unit was livid that the right question had been asked to the right person. I wasn't promoted by my unit, or Central MarsG, I was promoted by ARMEDCOM. My command tried to rescind the promotion as they said I had not followed proper procedure. ARMEDCOM responded that it doesn't work that way and I was promoted. I got an email. My command had held it back for 3 months in hopes of finding a way to rescind the promotion. No ceremony, no announcement to my unit, just promotion orders, orders transferring me to another unit (an 8 hour drive away) as an E5. E5 to E6, same thing, an email saying I had been promoted and transferred. I have never seen an NCO Promotion event in the reserves, but I have helped organize a few when on active duty.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Dec 1 at 2018 7:39 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 19:39:41 -0500

Battle field

Response by SFC Joh Williams made Dec 2 at 2018 11:33 PM

SFC Joh Williams — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 23:33:14 -0500

At the drop zone rally point by the general.

Response by Cpl Dustin Morse made Dec 3 at 2018 2:55 AM

Cpl Dustin Morse — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 02:55:57 -0500

I was a PFC deployed to Kuwait to stage for the invasion into Iraq in '03 I had been in country for a few weeks and had picked up a nickname (Doogie, like Doogie Howser MD). No one knew me by my actual name, no one called me my actual name I was Doogie.

We all got called up for a huge formation by (then) Major General Mattis and SgtMaj Bell. So the Formation is going, I'm way at the end and can barely hear what is being said for the formation when they start calling out names... They called out my name and I didn't even recognize it, General Mattis called it out again 2 more times when my SSgt Whispered at me "Doogie, they are calling your name" so I fell out, and reported to the front of the formation.

General Mattis made a joke loud enough for the formation to hear about how I was such a hardcharger and took to my new nickname that I didn't even know my own name anymore, I was then pinned LCPL by General Mattis and SgtMaj Bell in front of the Division and everyone chuckling (upfront and in formation).

Response by MSgt Jeff Brown made Dec 3 at 2018 7:31 AM

MSgt Jeff Brown — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 07:31:06 -0500

I worked in personnel (73270) so I always knew I'd been selected for promotion before the squadron commander came around to notify me. I found out I'd made tech sergeant when I walked into my office at the CBPO that morning -- the NCOIC of the promotions shop at Sheppard AFB, Texas, saw me walking across the parking lot, opened the window and yelled, "Jeff, you can buy that new car now!"

Response by LTC John Bush made Dec 3 at 2018 12:31 PM

LTC John Bush — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:31:45 -0500

I got my orders promoting me to Captain through distribution. About a month later I was told to show up at a meeting where i would be promoted. I had to search for s set of fatigues that still had 1st Lt. bars so I could act surprised.

Response by SSG Allyn Freeman made Dec 5 at 2018 6:51 PM

SSG Allyn Freeman — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:51:50 -0500

I was out processing from the 558th MP Co. when attempting to clear finance the Sgt refused to process me because I was out of uniform. I was wearing PFC insignia. He said your not a PFC but Specialist 4. Go to clothing sales and fix your uniform then come back. He then handed me orders dated two days earlier. I was in the field then.

Response by MSgt Paul Boecher made Dec 7 at 2018 4:07 PM

MSgt Paul Boecher — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 16:07:08 -0500

I was working in an secure facility that required you to go through a two turnstile gate both in and out. One day our commander came up and requested the gate security to call our shop and send out a SrA. HE goes out and they stop him in the turnstile so he can not get out. There was a security Forces car sitting outside the gate. You could see that someone was in the back of the car with the window slightly cracked open. The commander comes up the the SrA and asks what he did last night and if he was downtown in the bars. He said he was. The commander then told him that a person identified him as the cause of something that went on down there. As he was talking the security guy came in and told the commander that the person in the car positively ID the SrA. The commander said it could not have been him as this guy was a Staff Sergeant and not a SrA.

Response by SSG Ronald Colwell made Dec 10 at 2018 4:21 AM

SSG Ronald Colwell — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 04:21:15 -0500

Never had a promotion ceremony of any type!! Seemed to always just get handed the promotion orders. I have seen others in the same unit get a formation, pin-on, hand shakes and cake.

Response by SSG Michael Korabik made Dec 12 at 2018 3:54 PM

SSG Michael Korabik — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:54:43 -0500

In 2002 the first line leader SFC Taylor at 1079th GSU Ft. Dix NJ hand carried the pin on rank to the soldier who was on duty at a busy checkpoint, placed it in the soldiers hand and said, "Here you got it" then drove away.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Dec 13 at 2018 2:36 PM

1SG James Kelly — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 14:36:44 -0500

It's a long story and if your ever around we'll have a few drinks and I'll tell you; but I really, really pissed off a short shit CSM.

Response by TSgt Gary McPherson made Dec 14 at 2018 3:25 PM

TSgt Gary McPherson — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 15:25:58 -0500

While stationed in Tokyo with the AFRTS HQ one of my young troops made SSGT.The CO and I called him into the commanders office where the CO told him to stand at Attention.He then started to read the promotion like it came out of UCMJ..You could see the poor guy was worried.Then the CO turned the page and read the real promotion .The Col and I started laughing at the look on my troops face,

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 15 at 2018 12:49 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 12:49:30 -0500

Well I was working on a 2/1/2 ton truck and I was ordered to get off the truck and get in formation and said no I to get the job done and finally they ordered me to get down and got in formation and then called out to the front of the company and got promoted to Sgt. SSG MarkFranzen USA cold war veteran.

Response by CSM James Winslow made Dec 19 at 2018 5:20 AM

CSM James Winslow — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 05:20:45 -0500

In 1983, while in a tent city in Graf, my battery commander called me into his tent and started to chew my a$$. He and the 1SG told me that I was being put in front of a courts martial board for some minor infraction, and that I could tak my rank off and leave it in his desk. All very serious and disapproving. They then told me to call a formation outside. In front of the whole battery they called me forward and pinned me. I thought I was a goner, when they called me up in front.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2018 1:24 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 13:24:03 -0500

I was a 2LT and our company commander called me up in front of the formation and colored my butter bar in with a black sharpie. That's how I got promoted to 1LT.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2018 8:14 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 08:14:55 -0500

Via Facebook!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2018 9:12 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 09:12:23 -0500

When I was promoted to Staff Sergeant, we were redeploying from a long trip in Canada. No one liked my Platoon Sergeant so the S-1 called me out of the large hangar we were waiting for our plane and let me know. He said "I didn't want your Platoon Sergeant to be the first to congratulate you"

Response by CPO John Williams made Dec 27 at 2018 4:01 PM

CPO John Williams — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 16:01:19 -0500

I was a seaman (E-3) and had been transferred to the Joint Ship's Office as a Yeoman striker. I took the YN3 test only 2 weeks after I transferred. Part of the office was the enlisted part. When they got the advancement message they said my name was not on it. So, when the CO called for a Captain's Mast (my first go as the Legal Yeoman). I got my job done - contacting the defendants and was standing beside the CO reading out the charges, and recording the sentences. When the last one was finished, the Operation Department and most of the ship's officers came up on the 01 level and the CO raised his voice, "Seaman Williams, you are standing in the wrong place. I have one more charge sheet prepared by your boss. Present yourself! I did, not knowing what I had done. He started reading out the "charges." The last charge was being out of uniform, finishing with, "Sentence: Advance to YN3 (E4) and assume command of the Ship's Office." Our Senior Chief had orders to leave as soon as we docked next day.

Response by SGT(P) Le'a K Billingsley made Dec 29 at 2018 9:03 AM

SGT(P) Le'a K Billingsley — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 09:03:04 -0500

Best in uniform, best blousing, best head gear and best high shine or spit shine.

Response by PO3 Michael Johnson Sr made Dec 29 at 2018 12:44 PM

PO3 Michael Johnson Sr — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 12:44:08 -0500

Made ADR2 (E-5) then told that I didn't have enough time left in to actually get the stripes. Was told that I could extend for 2 years and get the stripes, had 10 months left to go before I separated. Asked if I could extend for 2 months so I would have a year to go and get the stripes and was told I'd have to extend for the 2 years. I decided to stay an ADR3.

Response by SN Herman Lee made Jan 1 at 2019 8:20 AM

SN Herman Lee — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 08:20:51 -0500

I know a case when I was stationed in San Diego and somebody took a discharge and then was called back because he was to receive a promotion a month after he packed up and went home.

Response by CWO3 Bryan Luciani made Jan 2 at 2019 12:22 PM

CWO3 Bryan Luciani — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 12:22:05 -0500

I was expecting promotion results for E8 any day when I checked our daily message traffic and was happy to see I made Senior Chief. I told no one. Went home that night and celebrated with my wife. After about three weeks, no one at my own command had even noticed I was selected. My closest advisor and close friend was a retired Marine Master Gunny who worked right down the hall from me. I told him at lunch that I had been selected three weeks prior and he told me to just put on my new rank. I thought about it, but instead decided to pay a visit to my CO (an O6) and ask "permission". Keeping in mind that I was absolutely disgusted with my inefficient and self-serving chain of command, I knocked on my CO's door and entered his office. I said, "Sir, If it's not too big a problem, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind if I went ahead and started wearing my Senior Chief's anchor". Since all frocking and promotion ceremonies had gone down weeks prior, it was not exactly an inappropriate request. He freaked. He stomped out his office yelling for the XO (who was useless) and CMC. They came running down the hall and the CO asked them why he had not been informed of my promotion. They both had no clue (and had obviously failed to read the message traffic as they were supposed to). The CO was pissed. He told me that he would have a ceremony the following day. I asked him not to, but he wanted to save face. It was the coldest and most inauthentic ceremony I have ever seen. Any leader not involved in the promotion of their troops ain't worth spit. That was when I decided to look at the Warrant Officer path.

Response by SSgt Greg McCabe made Jan 2 at 2019 3:35 PM

SSgt Greg McCabe — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 15:35:24 -0500

During Desert Storm we had a technical problem affecting several of our aircraft. About 3 am one night/morning an airman and I (I was a E-4 Sgt at the time) were just off the flight line working on one of the avionic boxes when our OIC walked in and started giving us a hard time about the issue, why wasn't it resolved, etc. I explained that we were on it but he would not let up. Frustrated, I finally started pushing back. He just smiled and handed me SSgt stripes. I'll never forget that day.

Response by CW3 Dan Mackey made Jan 3 at 2019 10:57 PM

CW3 Dan Mackey — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 22:57:41 -0500

I had an unusual start to my career. I went from basic and AIT to jump school to sniper school to ranger school before being told I had to report to Ft. Bragg. I went to the Repo Depot and our CSM drove up on the hood of a jeep and called us into formation. He had all Tabs fall out and reform up. He asked if anyone was sniper qualified. I was the only one. He said come with me and off he ran into the office. He got my records and looked at them for a few minutes then turned to me and said Sargent why are you wearing PFC rank? I was dumb founded. He informed me that I had been boarded in Ranger school. I looked at him stupefied and he laughed at me and said they must have treated a the honor grad board as a promotion board. He pulled off one of his rank insignia snapped off the bottom and said come on sarg we have a war to fight. That night we jumped into Grenada under fire... What a day!!!

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Jan 7 at 2019 4:04 PM

1SG Michael Farrell — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:04:19 -0500

Probably a recovered memory, but one of the oddest assignments I had was a tour as a full-time manning assignment with a Reserve Component Organization, the 420th Engineer Brigade headquartered in College Station, Texas. A predominantly AGGIE Brigade, I have appreciated the assignment more in retrospect than at the time. However, we were in Germany for a REFORGER with III Corps and were staying at a British Kaserne. More concerns about laundry than you might think, but I found myself along with another Active Duty NCO negotiating with a British Laundry Concession that was run by the Regiments wives. They were great. We were really shamming, trying to avoid a formation, sort of think E7s and E8s due when they're not in charge. (Until after they've been in charge, and feel some professional courtesy.) Anyway, we were too efficient and found ourselves approaching the mob scene/formation and suddenly the Commanding General saw us and motioned that we needed to get ourselves in ranks. So we doubletimed over to the S3 platoon formation --- about 70 people and fell in the rear. They started the formation, and suddenly I jerked to a special level of consciousness when the CG roared, "SFC Farrell, Front and Center" Stepped back, mutering "Great, public humiliation!" making a few folks smother laughter, and doubletimed up to the CG and reported. Then the CG smiled, and looked to the Adjutant, who did the "Attention to Orders!" and then read a message from the 5th Army G1 to the effect that I had been selected for promotion to Master Sergeant with a sequence number of 53. I had not seen this coming, so I was from deep in the secondary zone, and fourteen months later, Brigadier General Woodie Free, USAR and TAMU Class of 1957 put on the stripes.

I remain grateful for the experience with Texas, the Reserves, and the A&M Community. But, for a fairly straight laced NCO from New England, it was a whole other country indeed.

Response by TSgt Mike Rumage made Jan 10 at 2019 6:29 PM

TSgt Mike Rumage — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 18:29:40 -0500

While I was in the 3rd Herd (3rd Combat Comm Group) when promotions came out they would personally call and tell you that you did NOT get promoted. That place was 100% FUBAR'd while I was there. 1985-1990

Response by CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2019 8:51 PM

CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:51:48 -0500

A couple funny, one not so funny. I'll start there. In '94 I was a Sgt, had two Cpl's getting out that made the cut for Sgt. The Command decided they wouldn't promote JeffH or SamL from my section because they wouldn't re-enlist or extend. Even though they had four years of IRR pending. Jeff's wife worked as a bar-keep at the SNCO club, got to talking with a couple of 'old dudes' about it. A MGySgt and a 1stSgt. Long story short, they both got promoted a week later. Which they should have. They earned it.
Last couple of weeks, an LDO buddy had me watching NAV messages for the LDO O4 list. (because I can). Haven't seen it yet, but apparently the Command gets a pre-release of non-selects. The Col pulled him aside, explained it, and said "you weren't on the non-select list, but I can't tell you if you were selected." He was happy. I guess. Official message still not released...
My case? I was 8 years active, then reserve. Got mobilized in '03 at the start of OIF, as a Comm Chief in a SKIF somewhere in Arlington. I had applied for WO, and got selected. My promotion date was way past, so I kept pinging the MGySgt "When am I getting promoted?" He kept saying "When I see the paperwork, Gunny!" We worked rotating shifts, so when I was on the 0600 to 1400 shift, one day I just pulled off 95 South to Quantico and hit the Manpower building - (Russel Knox?) In uniform, and tired, GunnyK went round and round and up and down until he found a Sgt with a butt-load of paperwork on his desk. {Gunny look} "Where's my shit Sgt?" He found a manila envelope with my 'stuff' - Warrant and paperwork of some kind. I said "Give it to me", and he did. The next morning after changeover, around 0800 when the MGuns showed up, I handed the envelope to him and said "Is this what you need to get me promoted?" He looked at it, and said "Where did you find this?" I said "I went to Quantico and kicked desks around until someone gave it to me." "No shit. Umm, well that should do it. Uhh, By the way, good morning, Sir! When would you like to be promoted?". Yea. That afternoon. Annnnd then promptly rewarded with a tour of Iraq for 2-2 in Ramadi. Good Times!

Response by PO1 Steven Siepp made Jan 17 at 2019 2:29 PM

PO1 Steven Siepp — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 14:29:38 -0500

I was working on a piece of gear when my section leader came up to me and punched me on the arm a good one and stood there with a grin. when he thought I was going to punch him back he shook my hand and it dawned on me what was up. those that don't know we used to be able to tack the crows on in the Navy so they wouldn't fly away

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Feb 4 at 2019 12:20 AM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 00:20:00 -0500

When a made First class I walked in the door and the CPO jumped on my stuff for being out of uniform, I was totally flabbergasted as I was wearing the usual undress uniform, actually a step up from what was required but since I was acting XPO I was trying to set a good example. After a minute or two of dressing me down like I hadn't been dressed down since boot camp, he reachied into his drawer pulled out a set of 1st class crows and flipped them to me with a big grin and told me to go fix my uniform, and he'd be the first to tack them on.

Response by MAJ Vance Fleming made Feb 11 at 2019 6:29 AM

MAJ Vance Fleming — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 06:29:31 -0500

When I was enlisted and in an HHC at a TRADOC post, my first sergeant walked past me, turned around and asked me why I was wearing PFC rank when I was promoted to E4 over three weeks before. I was never told by anyone in my chain of command until I ran into him. He called the HHC Commander and they came to the office where I worked and the captain promoted me in front of my coworkers (about 70% civilians), a clueless LT and a LTC who did not know I was getting promoted.

Response by CW3 Jere Hodges made Feb 21 at 2019 2:38 PM

CW3 Jere Hodges — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:38:40 -0500

Way back when, I was assigned I&I duty in Charlotte, N.C. I had about 5 years in grade as E-4 and had been doing E-7 job because of another Marine's illness. I finally accumulated enough points to make SGT, but at the same time a Meritorious promotion signed by the Commandant came thru dated 11 days later. I opted to delay my promotion eleven days to have the Meritorious promotion. Almost sixty years later I still treasure that certificate.

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Apr 2 at 2019 6:08 AM

SPC Donn Sinclair — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 06:08:07 -0400

Me. I was working nights, (6p-6a), and the old sarge woke me out of a sound sleep about 10:30am. "Congrats Sinclair, you've been promoted to E-4." Thanks, ZZZZZ.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2019 10:45 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 10:45:11 -0400

My previous 1SG walked up to me while I was in the motorpool and cut my PFC off with a knife whilst I was PMCsing my vehicle. I was confused as all hell. Around the end of the duty day he announced we had a promotion and awards ceremony. I walked in and my whole unit was already there. They gave me a later time than everyone else. The CO called me to the front of the formation and a put my SPC rank on my chest and everyone is just laughing including myself bc I was moping all day thinking I did something wrong. They had put in a waiver at my 18 month mark without telling me. That was a really good day.

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Apr 7 at 2019 10:03 AM

SGT Juan Robledo — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 10:03:17 -0400

Wow this the first time I've ever heard this, might happen but I think it's a rare occurrence

Response by 1SG Leon Espe made Apr 7 at 2019 10:57 AM

1SG Leon Espe — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 10:57:29 -0400

In April 1949 I was a Recruit E-1 and somewhat of a disciplinary problem so when First Sergeant Skporniak called me to the Orderly room on a Friday afternoon and ordered me to report to Commanding Officer 2nd Lt. Sandrock at 0800 hours Monday morning I was concerned wondering what I had done now. When I asked !SG Skorniak for the reason of being required to report to the CO he told me I would find out Monday morning. I sweated bullets all weekend. That was probably the worst weekend thus far and by Monday morning I was a mess but I shaved and shined and reported to the Commanding Officer as ordered. I was shaking like a leaf by the time Lt Sandrock informed me I was promoted to Private E2.

Response by SSG Grant Hansen made Apr 15 at 2019 11:45 AM

SSG Grant Hansen — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 11:45:23 -0400

I was in a company formation and the 1SG was performing a full roll call. He called "Sergeant Hansen" and I didn't respond because there were a couple other hansens and they were both E-5 or higher and I assumed he meant them. He then looked directly at me and said "You are SERGEANT Grant Hansen, aren't you?".

More than a little surprised I replied, "Yes, 1SG!

Immediately following formation I went to the office, got my paperwork then went to supply and got a few new pin on ranks to replace my SPC rank.

A close second comes from when I was promoted from E-1 to E-2. Nobody told me anything. I got my paycheck and saw it was more than the previous month. Then I noticed the rank was E-2. I mentioned it to my Drill Sgt. and he said I must have been promoted and I should go get some rank for my collar.

Response by Capt Peter de KAM made Apr 26 at 2019 7:26 PM

Capt Peter de KAM — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 19:26:55 -0400

Ahh, yes, imagine if you will, walking across the local base auditorium stage to get your Community College of the AF degree (I already had a BA and MS so why not...) and getting your name butchered.. followed by an impolite pause and the words, he is the most recent selectee for Officers Training School... I don't remember walking off the stage... I report back to my Detachment and the CC just smiled and said "Gotcha"...

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Apr 27 at 2019 10:21 PM

MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 22:21:31 -0400

In the spring of 1991, the day before the "official" list was released to unit commanders I happened to be presenting, as a TSgt, my unit's portion of the wing stand-up briefing at Lindsey Air Station, Germany. When finished, the wing CC commented that I had given a "pretty good MSgt brief". Surprised me to say the least. When I commented to him after the briefing was over that the list hadn't been officially released yet he said, "Trust me, but don't let your commander know that you know". Since this wing CC was not at all in my chain of command I felt pretty privileged that he would take the time to let me know about the promotion.

Response by SSG David Fetty made Apr 29 at 2019 7:15 AM

SSG David Fetty — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 07:15:03 -0400

In 1976, the cut off score for me being E-6 was reached, just before leaving for Reforger. Since BG Dyke had been our Bde Cdr prior to his assignment as Dep Cdr of 8th ID, he wanted the honor of pinning our stripes on. There was also to be another 6 and one 5 promoted at that time. Their written orders came down, mine didn't. "Don't worry Sgt Fetty, we'll pin them and the paperwork will come down soon.". Sep... Oct... Nov... No orders. Change of Command in Company, Bn and Bde during that period... I'm still wearing SSG stripes with no orders.

One day I was called to the orderly room and the 1SG told me to Report to the Commanding Officer, in an official manner. This wasn't right, something had to be wrong. I went in, snappily reported, and was left at attention in front of the new CO. "Sgt Fetty, it's come to my attention that you have been impersonating a Staff Sergeant at least since my arrival here, and I won't accept this. Take them off" No room for explanation, just Take EM OFF!. I took them off and kinda tossed them onto his desk, more than a little angry that I wasn't given a chance to explain what was going on, and before I could get too much more upset, I heard from behind me ... "Attention to Orders, the following personnel...."

They had finally gotten even with me for some of the pranks that I was legendary for pulling and getting away with. But man, you talk about a relieved feeling....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2019 7:56 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 May 2019 07:56:18 -0400

I checked my AKO and saw that I was a Specialist and not a PFC anymore. I called my team leader and asked him about it.

TL: "Sweet, Ill talk to the squad leader and we'll get you pinned as soon as we can."
Me: "thats.....thats it......O....Kay......"
TL: "Yup, Specialist is a consolation prize for lasting this long. it doesn't really mean much because all you have to do is show up."
Me: "uhhh Roger Sergeant. Ill keep that in mind."

Good times.

Response by SSG Mark Lawless made May 13 at 2019 10:25 AM

SSG Mark Lawless — Mon, 13 May 2019 10:25:01 -0400

In 1976 I was in Korea working as motor pool parts clerk since my MOS had been upgraded and I had not been trained yet. I was sitting at my desk going thru about 500 IBM punch cards for my quarterly inventory when my NCOIC walked in and tossed my collar rake on my desk and said "You've been promoted". I was in shock but at least I didn't have to go searching for an NCO shotgun to make parts runs anymore.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made May 24 at 2019 1:58 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Fri, 24 May 2019 13:58:42 -0400

Sp4 I would haves to say myself, we were mounting up to do a first bloody sweep ( guess you could call any search and kill sweep bloody, always blood most of us would come out of the bush with blood on the fronts of our uniforms, they had a tendency to get that way). through the bush that would become Black Horse Base. My platoon leader walked up to C-24 the track I was back on C-24 and he (Platoon Leader) yelled up to me " Skinner your a Spec four now" and that was all he ever said to me about it.

Response by LTJG Sandra Smith made May 26 at 2019 3:29 PM

LTJG Sandra Smith — Sun, 26 May 2019 15:29:07 -0400

Mine was rather informal but a little surprising; I was simply called to our command CO's office in the middle of my duty shift, where another nurse and the CAPT informed me of my promotion, and put the new bar on my collar, providing the new stripe for my cap as well. It was just the 3 of us.

Response by MSgt Thomas Quinn made May 30 at 2019 10:26 AM

MSgt Thomas Quinn — Thu, 30 May 2019 10:26:50 -0400

When I was stationed in Alaska, I was told to report to my Commander's officer with my Flight Sergeant. On the drive over to the Commander, my Flight Sergeant told me I was under investigation in connection with some stolen equipment. When I walked into the Commander's office, there sat our First Sergeant, OPs officer and the various SNCO superintendents. My Commander asked if I knew why I was there, and I replied "Well, sort of, Sir". He then broke into a huge smile and slid the promotion paperwork out from under a stack of papers on his desk and said "Congratulations on your promotion to E-5!" He then said he was going to keep the charade about the stolen equipment going but thought I might faint. I called them a few names as they all laughed and congratulated me.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2019 1:21 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 01:21:41 -0400

Might not exactly be notification of promotion, but knew a guy who transferred as a PO3 to a new ship, don't recall if he had even taken the test for PO2 yet or if it was in between tests. But gets to the new ship, checks in and his admin department is confused because his orders were for a PO2, all his paperwork was for a PO2. So he was suddenly a PO2 due to paperwork errors.

Response by SFC Bob Arnold made Jun 10 at 2019 8:45 AM

SFC Bob Arnold — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 08:45:09 -0400

Over the weekend, after passing out, I was put in the hospital because I was within hours of death by peritonitis. I ended up with stitches from belly button to just above my privates. The unit did not know where I was for two days.

My commander, a LTC practical joker, and SGM came to visit just after I woke up groggy from surgery. All I remember was him saying was " Mumble, Mumble, Mumble,...YOU MADE SFC!.". I was so surprised, I sat straight up in bed and popped some stitches which requires a later surgery.

Response by Sgt Robert Walsh made Jun 22 at 2019 4:07 PM

Sgt Robert Walsh — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 16:07:29 -0400

I returned from a 13 month tour in Viet Nam as a Marine Corporal E-4 and was stationed at MCAS Yuma. My squadron was filled with young Marines .... many of whom had been at Yuma for their first and only duty station. The clique was embedded not only with the enlisted Marines, but their CO as well. When I checked in I was given the cold shoulder by these wet nosed kids. One day I heard a couple of them talking about my promotion to Sergeant E-5 ..... I was taken aback. I went to the CO and he told me he forgot to tell me that my promotion came down from CMC in Washington DC. So, the bottom line was his favorites were not promoted even though the CO submitted there names and I, the new guy was the only E-4 promoted.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 1 at 2019 1:39 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 01:39:12 -0400

I was in 3rd armoured div. My warrant officer packet had been submitted. I was a SSG with 7 and a half years in. My boss got a call from the chief of staff and send SSG urban to division HQ tomorrow 10 am. We are pinning him. Now all these SFC/msg/SGM have to salute me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2019 6:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 18:46:00 -0400

The year I made E7, I made the list in September but didn’t pin until January. My CO handed me my orders as I was coming off the jetway on the way to a mid-year planning conference at Ft McCoy.

Response by SPC Nellie Chambers made Jul 7 at 2019 9:05 PM

SPC Nellie Chambers — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 21:05:25 -0400

My paycheck went up a few dollars. Ironically I was fighting for women's equality in pay. This was given to me to shut my mouth.

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Jul 21 at 2019 5:01 PM

SFC Bill Snyder — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 17:01:44 -0400

In 1955, while on Louisiana Maneuvers, I made PFC. Big deal as at this time, PFC were DA allocations. Well, went out to a bootleger to celebrate and the 1Sgt caught me. The CO busted me . I was PFC for about 3 hours. While crying on my "beer" in the Orderly Room tent, the CO walked by, saw me, and for some reason took pity on me. He said, Snyder, your a PFC again. He was a good CO.

Response by CAPT James McClure made Jul 29 at 2019 6:57 PM

CAPT James McClure — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 18:57:45 -0400

When I was the CO of a Naval Reserve unit, I learned just before our monthly drill that one of my officers had been selected for promotion. When the unit formed up for the morning muster, I loudly told the officer he was out of uniform and presented him with his new rank insignia.

Response by SFC Kevin Quinn made Jul 31 at 2019 2:34 PM

SFC Kevin Quinn — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 14:34:34 -0400

7 months post Desert Storm. I was well entrenched in the unit as a aviation guy but had more than a couple years both as a Ranger and in 7th Grp SF... Was on Terminal Leave after 13 yrs, was called by the CSM to come in to a (Cav) Squadron HQ since I still lived in the area (Hunter Airfield). Walked in and was met by the CSM (I was in shorts, tee shirt and hadn't shaved in a few days) and he promptly walked me out back to a full squadron formation standing at parade rest... LTC called the formation to attention and they read the 'orders'. The formation was disbanded yet no one left and the CSM and LTC both sat there for the next hour trying their damnedest to talk me out of ETS'ing. Loved that unit.

Response by PO1 Geno Jahrling made Aug 6 at 2019 12:04 PM

PO1 Geno Jahrling — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 12:04:34 -0400

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend but a short version of the story. We had a kid who got off to a rough start, but he made a great turn around. One day during GQ, he was called to the front and the CO started off as if conducting a public Captain's Mass asking the Chief's if they believed he was guilty. When all confirmed guilt, the young sailor was promoted to PO3 under the Command Advancement Program.

Response by SGT Jerry Duchaine made Aug 8 at 2019 7:30 AM

SGT Jerry Duchaine — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 07:30:04 -0400

I re entered military service in the VT army National guard late in life after a very long break in service coming back in as an E1. We were at Camp Atterbury Indiana for preparation to deploy. So all day training and briefings on into the nite. Late nite. So here say this 39 year or so old PV1 in this brigade level brief wanting nothing more than to form up and get back to our billets. At the end of the briefing the Brigade commander held all of us up and said there was one more thing that needed attention to. Surprisingly I was called to report up on stage to the Brigade Commander. Attention to orders and before I knew it I was a PV2. Pfc and Spc were a bit more informal. A phone call from our S1 shop. Hey Duchaine. Congrats. Go pin on Pfc /spc. And got my E5 on the way out courtesy of big army during my Medical retirement process.

So only time I was ever properly pinned was in front of the entire Brigade of very tired soldiers. Sorry guys.

Response by SPC Merle Jantz made Sep 15 at 2019 7:29 PM

SPC Merle Jantz — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 19:29:29 -0400

I got an early promotion to E-3 and my sergeant came up to me, unclipped the mosquito wings from my collar tabs and said "You're out of uniform. Go get some PFC pins."

Response by Sgt John Batey made Sep 25 at 2019 11:50 PM

Sgt John Batey — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 23:50:29 -0400

Battalion formation was promoted in camo and wearing roller skates

Response by MSgt Stephen Kammerer made Oct 31 at 2019 4:21 AM

MSgt Stephen Kammerer — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 04:21:10 -0400

Commander called me, said to get over to our work section (Howard AFB base weather station) immediately, he'd just received a bill for a microwave oven that supposedly I'd purchased with our unit's IMPAC card. He was quite upset. I hurried over to see him holding a folded over piece of paper, with other folks standing around looking scared and worried. He ranted about the unauthorized purchase, and continued with "I don't even know where to start about THIS!", while shoving the paper into my hands. Inside was a set of MSgt stripes. Promotion results had come out that morning. I was completely nonplussed. Day had a great ending as my 5 months pregnant wife had an ultrasound done, and the doctor announced we were to have a son.

Response by 1SG Leon Espe made Nov 2 at 2019 10:38 PM

1SG Leon Espe — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 22:38:26 -0400

Before going to Vietnam I was assigned to Department of Infantry Operations at the United States Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. I was the Assistant Top Secret Control Officer for the Department (The one who did all the work). I was assigned to Vietnam then returned to Fort Leavenworth as a Sergeant First Class assigned to the Base Office of the Inspector General as Section Chief. Shortly after starting my new job in the IG section I received a call from my old Boss, a full Colonel who was Director of the Department of Infantry Operations. I was told to report to his office concerning some missing Top Secret Documents. I got a bit nervous right away. When I got to the Director's office the Colonel read me my rights under Article 31. Scared the hell out of me! Then the Base Commander (a 2 Star General) showed up along with my Wife and all the old Department members I had worked with for 5 years. The General and my Wife pinned on my new Master Sergeant Stripes. I was pissed and relieved at the same time. Happy came later.

Response by 1SG J. Shannon Lewis made Nov 11 at 2019 1:30 PM

1SG J. Shannon Lewis — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 13:30:46 -0500

I was at Camp Humphreys, South Korea when the E-7 board was convening. Midway through my tour, several of us PCSd to Seoul Air Base K-16. While there, my CSM called me to his office and announced I did not make it. I knew I had done everything right in my career and something must be wrong. That night I threw myself a pitty-party in my room with a bottle of Jack waiting for the list to be posted online. It was then that I noticed my name WAS on the list. Best we could determine was that my promotion info was sent to command at camp Humphreys since I was fortunate enough to have an unusual in country PCS.

Response by SGT Kenneth Partyka made Nov 24 at 2019 6:50 AM

SGT Kenneth Partyka — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 06:50:35 -0500

My own promotion to E-5 was weird to say the least. My unit was at REFORGER and I was left back in the States due to the fact my wife was pregnant and due while we were deployed. Of course CQ still had to be pulled and for the enlisted, it was pretty much every other day, 24 on/24 off. One evening I go in to pull my ACQ duties and the NCOIC says, "what are you doing here?". Of course I answered, "I have ACQ tonight, Sergeant". He said, "No you don't. NCO's don't pull ACQ". I was confused and he handed me the orders. I was never even pinned. Just put the new insignia on my uniform and carried on.

Response by 1stSgt Morgan Ary made Dec 7 at 2019 12:54 AM

1stSgt Morgan Ary — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 00:54:07 -0500

1988, Teamwork ‘88 in Bødø, Norway, Commandant of the Marine Corps General Al Gray walked into the chow hall where I was on mess duty. As he was greeting the Marines and shaking hands, he had a firm grip on a Sgt’s hand and asked, “How are you doing Staff Sergeant?”. The Sgt corrected him awkwardly and the Commandant punched him in the arm. “I called you a Staff Sergeant!” The Commandant’s aide handed Gen. Gray a pair of SSgt chevrons and he pinned them on the newly promoted SSgt’s collar.

Response by LTC Jason Carter made Dec 9 at 2019 12:31 PM

LTC Jason Carter — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:31:35 -0500

We were in a briefing and our commander told a 1st Lieutenant he was out of uniform and started screaming at him for a few minutes. Then, he said 'no hard feelings, Captain'. and handed him his captain's rank.

Response by SFC Gary Stanfill made Dec 19 at 2019 11:18 PM

SFC Gary Stanfill — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 23:18:06 -0500

We came out of the field and I had shut down Field opns and maned it the last nite..The 1sgt told my Plt Sgt that the E-7 list was being released and that I had made 7...He ask were I was and was told I was asleep....Next day I had the day off because of the extra thngs I had done...1 SGT came out to formation and told the company I had made the E-7 list...A buddy of mine came over and woke me up and told me I had made...Went over to OR and got my seq number it was 5

Response by SrA Sabre Callicutt Reyes made Dec 25 at 2019 7:57 PM

SrA Sabre Callicutt Reyes — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 19:57:38 -0500

General Fogelman step promoted a senior airman to Staff Sergeant while in Khobar Towers after the bombing. He started off by asking if she had tested and she said. He then asked id she thought she made it. She answered with I'm not sure. General Fogelman then goes, I tell you what your a Staff Sergeant as of now. Pay, rank, everything. Then he goes, your out of ranks Sergeant but I will let it slide for now. He liked to joke with you

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Dec 30 at 2019 12:24 AM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 00:24:24 -0500

When I made ET-1 my O-in-C, a MCPO, started chewing me out for being out of uniform at morning quarters. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of PO-1 crows and tosed them to me. I also officially was designated his XPO at that time, a role he mentored me in for the next two years.

Response by SSG Bob Teachout made Dec 30 at 2019 1:00 AM

SSG Bob Teachout — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 01:00:38 -0500

On Feb 28, 1980, I was at McGuire AFB - for a PCS to Germany. I bought a copy of the Army Times to take on the Plane with me. After getting settled, I opend the paper and realized it contained the promotion points. Well, I made the cutoff, effective 1 March 80. So I walked on the MAC flight as an E-5 and walked off as a SSG!

Response by Capt Richard Chason made Jan 4 at 2020 12:47 PM

Capt Richard Chason — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 12:47:36 -0500

I had fun as a unit commander and engineer of a small unit in Europe. I was working with my antenna team at about 350' on a microwave antenna tower and after we had finished with the antenna I called the team together and present Tech Sargent (E6) stripes to the team lead. I had guys hanging on safety belts all around the tower giving the new TSGT a round of applause.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Jan 6 at 2020 1:16 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:16:08 -0500

Byron Skinner. My own promotion from PFC to Spc 4. We were in Long Binh Vietnam. My Platoon Leader came by the dismounts track and causally said Skinner you are a Specialist now, I expect to you to keeping doing your job. I was the dismounted M-60 gunner. Never got any orders or any thing, I had been a PFC for about three months, I though you had to have six months in grade, I guess I was wrong. In the short time I was in Vietnam I had no KIA’s when I went out and only one serious wound, I was the second. All of the Platoon came home alive.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Jan 12 at 2020 11:11 PM

1SG James Kelly — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 23:11:55 -0500

When I made 1SG, long story, but there was one little sawed off runt CSM that was so pissed I thought he would have a heart attack, wish he did.

Response by MSgt Jeff Brown made Jan 13 at 2020 5:33 PM

MSgt Jeff Brown — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:33:56 -0500

I worked in personnel at Sheppard AFB, Texas, but not in the promotions shop (that came a few years later). I was walking across the parking lot when a window in the CBPO's second floor opened and the guy in charge of promotions yelled at me, "Brownie, you can buy that new car now!"
It was very early in the morning, so no one else heard him, and I acted properly surprised when the commander came around later to make it formal. The nice thing about working in personnel was that when I made Staff, Tech and Master, I knew about it before the commander did.

Response by MAJ Will Sullivan made Jan 23 at 2020 2:32 PM

MAJ Will Sullivan — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:32:15 -0500

During Desert Shield my squad leader came into the tent and just gave me my advancement orders. Best ceremony I ever had...lol.

Response by SFC Sfc Darwin Maring, USA Ret made Jan 24 at 2020 8:48 PM

SFC Sfc Darwin Maring, USA Ret — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 20:48:04 -0500

Here is a no shitter.
The company commander called and asked if we had anyone due for promotion to PFC and I gave him the name and the CO said he would be promoted. I called the private I and asked him if wanted to be promoted and he said yes. The Chief Warrant Officer I worked for was there and heard everything so I told the private - Please raise your right hand and the CWO said some shit that he had to replete and Chief said you are now a PFC. I told him to not pin it on until he got the orders.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Jan 28 at 2020 8:54 AM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 08:54:00 -0500

The unusal way I saw an airman receieve his promotion notificztion, was at his NCO Leadership school graduation. He was handed his dipolma by the lead instructor, and the guest of honor (a four star) hand him his new stripee, to E6.

Response by SCPO Jim Stinson made Feb 6 at 2020 12:56 AM

SCPO Jim Stinson — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 00:56:25 -0500

I was COW on submarine leaving homeport for a 6 mo Westpac when XO called for me to come topside. COW is VERY busy during maneuvering watch, so very unusual for that to happen. Worried that I had missed something in the preunderway checklist, I hauled ass topside where XO informed me that my wife needed me on the pier. I left boat and asked my wife (in a very exasperated tone) "WHAT?" She replied, "Congratulations Chief!"

Response by SGT Lynia Ghormley made Feb 20 at 2020 11:00 AM

SGT Lynia Ghormley — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 11:00:56 -0500

In the late 1980's I was serving with the USAREUR Band and Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany. I was in charge of Chorus Operations (arranging tours and performances), new member auditions, and musical training for those new members of the Chorus -- as a SP4. I also performed with the Chorus, which had recently evolved into an accomplished show choir (singing with advanced choreography). Our company had irregular morning formations, since different groups of musicians were constantly on the road performing somewhere in Europe.

One morning the Chorus was sleeping in because we had gotten back from a concert late the night before. I was in bed when the admin clerk knocked on my door and told me to report to Top's office to be promoted. I reported, but requested that the promotion be delayed until our next full unit formation. He agreed.

Later that afternoon we were having a final dress rehearsal in the Heidelberg Stadthalle (historic city theater) for a special Broadway review show that involved both the Band and Chorus. During a break I was suddenly called up on stage, where I was promoted to SGT in front of the whole company, wearing a glitzy dancing costume. Luckily, I wasn't wearing the lacy nightgown ("I could have Danced all Night") or Mother Superior's nun's habit ("Climb Every Mountain") that I also wore for the show!

Response by SGT Harold Watson made Feb 28 at 2020 12:52 PM

SGT Harold Watson — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 12:52:07 -0500

In 1968 in Vietnam I was walking from my bunker on a rainy day. It was muddy. I just happened to look on the ground in the mud seeing this paper thing. I picked it up finding my name listed on it where I was promoted to SP4 days before. I never knew and no one told me.

Response by MSgt Brian Williams made Mar 26 at 2020 11:39 AM

MSgt Brian Williams — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:39:45 -0400

At the time I was a Tsgt living in The Netherlands in off base housing. I got a phone call and was told to REPORT to the commander's office. When I walked in I saw the 1st Shirt, who happened to live next door to me, sitting in the corner. I report and the commander says at ease. He starts reading me my rights and I'm thinking to myself what is happening right now. He said tell me what happened at your house last night. Now I'm really confused because nothing happened at my house. The 1st Shirt says, wasn't your house damaged last night? Oh yeah, the wind blew our outside light globe down and it broke and I called housing already. So they go in on how it looks for the US military and Americans in general when I MSgt can't maintain his quarters. I don't even hear that part and start explaining that housing said that they would have a replacement tomorrow. Then they go in on a discussion I had with a neighbor about a patch of grass I forgot to cut. It is bad for a MSgt to get into public disputes with our Dutch allies. I'm thinking, are you FN kidding me? MSgt Williams what do you have to say for yourself. Wait, what? While you're at it fix your uniform and the shirt hands me MSgt shoulder boards. Speechless. I was more relieved that I wasn't in trouble than getting promoted. They got me.

Response by SPC Steven Vaske made Apr 12 at 2020 3:56 PM

SPC Steven Vaske — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 15:56:29 -0400

Mine!
While stationed in West Germany in the late 70's my company was on a FX and we were scheduled to convoy back to garrison on the day of my promotion.
The night before, I was ordered to report to the CO's tent.
I was thinking, " Oh sh*t! What did I do!"
As I walked into the tent, Top was calling "Attention to Orders!"
My First Sergeant and the company clerk stood by as the CO pinned my new rank on me.
When I cought up with the rest of my platoon at the canteen that night they all new about it and I was buying the next round of beers.
So, that's the story of how I walked into the old man's tent a private and came out a Spec4.
Never lived that down for the rest of my service!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2020 9:42 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 09:42:46 -0400

In a BN TOC, GEN Milley was being briefed by the BN S2 about the COP. The SPC intel analyst began providing the enemy situation, composition, disposition, and SIGACTs in the event (JRTC DATE rotation) and GEN Milley was impressed. The S2 OIC mentioned that he was promotable, but waiting on points or some admin factor to get promoted to E-5. GEN Milley thereby promoted the SPC on the spot to SGT, and then told his aide something like: I know I can do that, go figure out the details and make sure this is followed-thru. That SGT's DOR is that day.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 12:44 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 12:44:08 -0400

I received notification through email. The promotion order was sent to me right after a buddy of mine working in personnel processed the order. Was certainly the most unusual notification I had seen.

Response by Lt Col George C. made Apr 29 at 2020 7:05 PM

Lt Col George C. — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 19:05:20 -0400

Well, I found out I was promoted to 1st Lt (O2) by reading about it in the base newspaper about six months before the (mostly) automatic promotion was due. I thought how strange there's another officer on base with the same name as me. Got called into my CO's office and he proceeded to call the Chief of Personnel and lambasted him (a full Colonel) severely about how he had to find out one of his junior officers got promoted early by seeing it in the paper! Another instance was during the base theater mass outbrief by the Major Command IG MRI (or UEI, or ORI ... whatever they're calling it nowadays) team. Their normal process is to brief (in order of importance and severity) Findings, Write-ups, and "However Statements". In one such instance, the IG (O6) briefed that uniform compliance was excellent throughout the Wing; "However", there was one especially grating violation that needed to be corrected before the briefing could continue. The Colonel then named a particular Technical Sergeant (E6) and ordered him up the stage front and center. "I intend to make an example of this NCO's gross violation of uniform regulations". He then announced the sergeant's spot promotion to Master Sergeant (E7) and pinned him to thunderous applause.

Another one was when I was serving as a Cat E Reservist (O4) working with the Mississippi Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. The O5 Reserve Promotion Board met in late April but I didn't think too much about it - Cat E Reservists are pretty much Red-headed step children (really - no offence to redheads intended here). I got notified by message in late June that I had been promoted with a date of rank backed up to mid May of that year (This was the normal method of notification at that time). I called the Reserve Personnel Center and they said I could pin on any time as it was past my effective date. So we did a formal pinning on ceremony officiated by the Regional Commander (AD O6) at a Civil Air Patrol Summer encampment with over 150 cadets witnessing, just to show them how its done in the Air Force. Later in September, I called the Reserve Personnel Center again and asked when the actual promotion orders were going to be published so I could frame them next to my new promotion picture. The rep got excited and said I shouldn't have pinned on because the list hadn't yet been approved by Congress -- they didn't expect that until February or March. He further stated that the "Do Not Pin On Until Further Notice" directive was in the message they sent out in June. I pointed out it wasn't in the message I received. He put me on hold for five minutes and came back on to say, " Holy F&$#, somebody left the last paragraph off the message. We gotta correct this. Meanwhile you need to unpin" I said, "I think not". I ran it by my boss, the O6 who agreed with me that it would mess with the cadet's minds if I showed up wearing Major's leafs again. He said, "I know we don't "vette" in the Air Force but we're going to in this case".

Response by Sgt J Adams made May 7 at 2020 1:32 PM

Sgt J Adams — Thu, 07 May 2020 13:32:06 -0400

Oh, man, do I have one that may not qualify but is worth it: As a Marine in a very slow-promoting MOS I was a LCPL (E-3) for a long time. Third tour in Iraq I was attached to a fast-movers unit that was out of my branch and did things a little... differently. Long story short I was duct-taped to a stone pillar while they grilled steaks (doubt it was cow, btw) and used a slingshot to fire paintballs at me. This was my welcome to military leadership roles. One my favorite memories.

Response by CSM Todd Smith made May 8 at 2020 1:58 PM

CSM Todd Smith — Fri, 08 May 2020 13:58:10 -0400

I received my promotion to Sergeant in a very disappointing way. We were preparing for annual training on a Monday night. We were in civilian clothes (I have no idea why). After the final formation the 1SG called me over and just handed the Sergeant stripes to me. I was not happy about how this was done and I swore that if I ever became a first sergeant I would make sure that my soldiers would receive their promotion in formation so that everyone could see it. I eventually was promoted to 1SG and CSM and always promoted my soldiers in front of their peers.

Response by SGT Roger Sharpnack made May 17 at 2020 10:33 AM

SGT Roger Sharpnack — Sun, 17 May 2020 10:33:26 -0400

I was promoted to E5 SGT while on leave. I came back and people were calling me sarge. No ceremony no anything.

Response by SFC Joh Williams made May 17 at 2020 1:29 PM

SFC Joh Williams — Sun, 17 May 2020 13:29:18 -0400

I was notified by the General in charge of an exercise in a small middle eastern country at the drop zone rally point.

Response by SPC Greg Campbell made May 27 at 2020 12:51 PM

SPC Greg Campbell — Wed, 27 May 2020 12:51:14 -0400

was on my back removing the prop shafts off my jeep when my motor daddy and XO walked by and said 'its time for lunch' and dropped something on my chest. finished and sat up SP4 orders and rank got up, got pinned. went unnoticed till the next day.

Response by PO2 Chuck Heuring made May 27 at 2020 7:11 PM

PO2 Chuck Heuring — Wed, 27 May 2020 19:11:31 -0400

I was at Blackwater (for training) when I made Second Class. I wasn't there to get frocked. I still was wearing my 3rd class crow when I reported back. I was immediately paged, with my whole CoC to my shop. I threw on a uniform and hauled ass in. To make a long story short, the Captain chewed me out for being out of uniform and wearing the wrong rank. This went on for a good 15 minutes. He winked at me then fired my immediate boss (who had over 18 years in, and I was just over 2) and left after frocking me. I immediately was made work center supervisor.

Response by PO1 Paul Dormont made May 27 at 2020 10:25 PM

PO1 Paul Dormont — Wed, 27 May 2020 22:25:14 -0400

It was my first year at my first duty station following Aviation Electrician's Mate class "A" School. I had already "earned" E-4 having finished in a tie for first-in-class and added a year of active service. The tie was with a Regular Navy Sailor and I was a TAR (Active Reserve, Training and Administration of Reserves) so there was no real professional competition for orders between us. I had finished my six month trial period as an E-4 and took the E-5 Navywide exam as an early candidate. We had all (of course) been schooled on what to expect and how to pass. I really didn't have much hope after having met 12 and 14 year E-5s at this first command. The results were in and the steady stream of passed, non-selects went through the Division officer's required counseling. My Supervisor brought me to the Warrant's Office where I knocked and was allowed to enter. Opening the door, I found that small space filled with khaki and my blueshirted supervisor. The exam profile sheet lay on the desk before me facing where I could read it. The sheet was filled with "S" and "E" but nobody was saying anything. All had their arms crossed over their chests. My score put me in the top 1% and promoted me early and nobody was saying anything. Scared the bejeezus out of me. Finally, Warrant Hugel stood and shook my hand. I really don't know where from or how all those khakis got into that office without being spotted, but, a good time seemed to be had by them while I was completely miffed.

Response by CDR Tim Myers made May 28 at 2020 6:27 PM

CDR Tim Myers — Thu, 28 May 2020 18:27:33 -0400

To my own Promotion to O-5 Commander in the Naval Reserve. I was off vacationing at the East Coast SEAL Reunion with my family in July. When we came home, I picked up The Navy Times and thumbed through it. WOW!! There was my name for Selection to O-5!! No phone congratulatory phone calls. Just this notice in The Navy Times then the official paperwork arrived a few weeks later.

Response by PO2 Ricky L. Isreal made May 28 at 2020 8:35 PM

PO2 Ricky L. Isreal — Thu, 28 May 2020 20:35:45 -0400

At an Engineering inspection, our Div. Officer looked me over, then took out his memo bok, “Petty officer Isrea, why are at an official Engineering inspection NOT in proper uniform?” l glance using my peripheral vision, “Sir, this Petty Officer is in the proper uniform of the day as specified by the Commaning Officer’s Plan Of the Day, Sir.” “Petty Officer Isreal, My listing of personnel assigned under my command has an MM2 Isreal, R L, but has no MM 3 Isreal, R L. I suggest that you take the rest of this day off and attend to this matter so it NEVER happens again. Do I make myself clear to you?”

Response by MAJ Michael Kammerer made Jun 6 at 2020 5:25 PM

MAJ Michael Kammerer — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 17:25:44 -0400

I received a phone call from my former Battalion Commander congratulating me on my promotion to Major. I was working in a fellowship during my medical retirement transition.

Response by 1SG Steven Flagg made Jun 7 at 2020 8:20 AM

1SG Steven Flagg — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 08:20:00 -0400

Was on a Med cruise in 73 going to a promotion board, got to the ship and we were told that the promotion board was cancelled, everyone was promoted.

Response by CPO Bernie Penkin made Jun 10 at 2020 11:11 AM

CPO Bernie Penkin — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 11:11:24 -0400

I was really close to the cut for making Chief. It was close to the deadline to submit my choices for transfer in the next year. Wasn’t up for transfer, but I filed a new one annually just in case a dream billet popped up. I called the assignment detailer for advice on whether I should submit for 1st Class billets or Chief Billets. He told me to hold on a minute and then said the the new list was getting submitted for approval and my name was on it, so I had better submit for Chief billets. He called me a couple of months later and gave me my number one pick. Turned out to be the worst unit of my career, but that’s another story.

Response by PO1 Frank Reiffenstein made Jun 12 at 2020 12:18 PM

PO1 Frank Reiffenstein — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:18:41 -0400

Years ago when I was a SH-2 (SW) the bridge passed the word for me to report to the bridge. As I got to there the C. O. , X. O. , master chief of the command were all there. At that time the X. O. stated,petty officer Reiffenstein,it appears you are out of uniform. The C. O. said that is true. As from right now you are a SH-1 by command advancement program. Needless to say that made my day.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2020 10:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 22:22:48 -0400

In 1991 I worked with a SSG whose name came out on the SFC list. From that day forward he wanted to be call "Staff Sergeant Promotable." He really went from being a solid, likeable, professional to a complete, obnoxious moron. Even the 1SG was getting annoyed. One Monday morning at formation the First Sergeant call attention and a fellow NCO called "Attention to Orders!" They called the SSG(P) up to the front and read out orders promoting him from Staff Sergeant to Staff Sergeant (Promotable). Top whipped out a set of three SSG rank modified with a stark, white "P" in the teardrop and pinned them on his collars and his hat. He then saluted and it was returned. Top then called "Fall Out!" He made that SSG(P) wear that rank all day. We didn't hear a peep from him until he finally got pinned as a SFC.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jun 15 at 2020 1:56 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 13:56:48 -0400

I was assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska from 2002 to 2007. I'd gotten the shaft for promotion my entire career and unfortunately, being the only African-American Forward Observer didn't help my case because everything I did had to be five times better than everyone around me just to be on-par with my peers in the eyes of my "leaders." (I put leaders in quotations because they were everything BUT that, short of the rank they wore.) We'd gotten to Iraq for our deployment in August 2005. I "received" my orders for promotion to Sergeant in September with an effective date of 01 OCT 2005. I didn't find out about it until February of 2006 due to my chain of demand and NCO abort channel trying to suppress/nullify any and all of the good stuff in my career. When I saw that my pay had changed, I was like "YES! FINALLY GOT YOU F---ERS BACK! GOT MY RANK, B----ES! F--- YOU!" in my head. Then they tried to say that my orders were bogus, but they got really made when I called them out on their BS...especially when the Brigade and Battalion S-1 shops confirmed the legitimacy of my orders. I fought my chain of demand and NCO abort channel for 40 days over my rank. The next morning, I'd discovered that I won because I came into work and my PSG said, "SGT Blue! WTF?!? Go square your rank away!" Unfortunately, this fight started a number of other fights during this deployment...all of which I won. I also got all of them back because I let slip to the right people their minor infractions and UCMJ-punishable offenses committed during the deployment. What Military Justice couldn't punish them for, their significant others back home destroyed them on.

Response by COL Bill Gross made Jun 18 at 2020 1:58 PM

COL Bill Gross — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 13:58:46 -0400

1.) Fellow I went to college with opted for a Navy Commission. He ended up the DCA on the USS Stikle (DD888). One day at evening meal the Ship's Captain (not his actual rank, following Navy tradition to give him the honoriific Capt because of his position) started the discussion about how people were commissioned. Captain started off by saying he graduated from Naval Academy and opted for a Marine Commissioned. Later in his career he decided to return to the Navy. He said, I received my commission in the Navy in the mail. To which my college pall, under his breath said, "yeah addressed to occupant."

2. III Corps Chief of Staff in the late 1980s was a fellow known at BG "Doc" Bahnsen. He was romantically associating with a CAPT on the Corps staff. One day at the Corps Staff meeting he asked the III Corps Adjutant when the Major's list was coming out, I'm getting tired of sleeping with a company grade officer.
(NOTE: Story was of evens in an Army long ago and far, far away. Some of the details may be in error.)

Response by SPC Scott McClure made Jun 23 at 2020 11:25 AM

SPC Scott McClure — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 11:25:50 -0400

I was at Ft. Hood in 1992. I got orders to go back to Germany and had to extend so that I could take my wife with me so, I go talk to the reenlistment NCO. Three days later, he comes up to me and says "Hey, you were promoted to E-4 weren't you?" Turns out, I got promoted about 8 months before and NOBODY knew it. When we got it straightened out, I got a nice paycheck with all my back pay.

Response by MSgt Alex Taylor made Jun 26 at 2020 6:58 PM

MSgt Alex Taylor — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 18:58:37 -0400

Early in my career, we were at the squadron Christmas party. My boss, "Wabi", was called as the winner of the door prize. When he got up there, he opened the small wrapped present they handed him and found himself looking at a pair of TSgt stripes. That's how they informed him his STEP (Stripes for Exceptional Performers) promotion came through. The funny thing was only a few nights prior on mid shift, he'd been thinking about not reenlisting.

Response by Cpl Clifford Hager made Jun 27 at 2020 10:05 AM

Cpl Clifford Hager — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 10:05:00 -0400

My first station out of boot camp was as PFC in H3 in headquarters battalion. One of my jobs was to administer the Infantry Aptitude Test to Marines in the regiment. After doing this for several months I knew the answers to every question on the test. Then it came to somebody's attention that I had never actually taken the test myself. Naturally, I finished the test in about ten minutes, Later, back in the office, an accusation arose about my cheating on the test. There was quite an argument with me defending myself because of the circumstances and the H3 Major finally decided I should retake the test in his office with the skipper watching me. Skipper said "If you don't ace this, you'll be a private in the morning. If you do," He said with great sarcasm, "I'll promote you myself."

That evening the Skipper walked into the barracks, called the room to attention, marched over to my bunk and removd my PFC chevrons with a stern look on his face. Then put new Lance Corporal pins my collar and walked out without another word.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jul 6 at 2020 5:45 PM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 17:45:30 -0400

When I was out-processing from Ft. Sill, I went to the orderly room for something on my list (currently an E-2 finishing my school) and the 1Sgt said I was out of uniform and smiled. He was holding my promotion orders at the time. I had been told on arrival at Ft. Sill that no promotions were to be given in their school. My DS / GS instructor told me that he was also told I could not be promoted, but he had not been told he couldn't recommend a promotion. So he did recommend and it went through. I was carrying a 99% average on the full course seven months total.

Response by CPT Bob Deissig made Jul 6 at 2020 8:52 PM

CPT Bob Deissig — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 20:52:33 -0400

When I returned from Vietnam in August, 1969, I was initially assigned to a basic training command. The commander at the tome, LTC Betts had a tradition for promotions that I experienced upon becoming a Captain. On my promotion day, we all went to the company mess hall, where a gallon jar was filled with beer. LTC Betts made it clear that the only way he would pin my bars on was for mento drink that jar of beer where he had deposited those bars, and come up with them in my teeth. I did it, was completely drunk, and the picture taken of that event still sits in my den!!

Response by SSG Scott Pell made Jul 8 at 2020 8:49 AM

SSG Scott Pell — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:49:10 -0400

When in Camp Casey, Korea in 1993 I saw a guy that despised the command team bring up a lady to pin on his rank that everyone assumed was his spouse.
Turned out it was a hooker he hired and signed onto post to pin him just so the commander or 1SG wouldn't get the satisfaction of promoting him...

Response by GySgt Lap Yan made Jul 10 at 2020 3:59 PM

GySgt Lap Yan — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 15:59:14 -0400

I was a SSgt and Plt Sgt for an 81 mm mortars plt. Went to get my masters so I went on IRR. When I decided to go back to active reserves they told me I had been promoted to GySgt while on IRR. Good thing since I was applying to a Master Sargent billet and they would not have let an E6 have it, but a Gunny could fill this billet.

Response by 1SG Steven Malkowski made Jul 27 at 2020 7:13 AM

1SG Steven Malkowski — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 07:13:59 -0400

I was an MP in the 1st Armored Division in Germany (1977-1980). I got E-2 out of Basic. One day I was scheduled for day shift MP duty so I wasn't at my company morning formation. So I was at Division HQ at Hindenburg Kasserne directing traffic at the main gate. I was standing up on one of those barrels to place me above the traffic. My PSG comes driving in (A real character of a SSG named John Phillip Sousa, no kidding). He was an ornery cuss at the best of times. I wave him through but he stops in front of me and begins chewing me out. "If you're not in the proper uniform when you report for duty tomorrow, I'll see to it that you lose those new stripes". I didn't have one clue what he was talking about. So on the first break I get, I call the company from the gate shack phone and ask the unit clerk what's going on. He tells me there was a bunch of promotions at morning formation and I made PFC. I spent that night sewing PFC stripes on my Class A's and trying to get them exactly right because I had duty again the next day.

Response by PO2 Ed Taylor made Jul 29 at 2020 3:31 PM

PO2 Ed Taylor — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 15:31:01 -0400

NO IDEA ON NOTIFICATIOJM. DURING THE VIETNAM ERA THERE WERE DPPO' S APPOINTED TO ACTIVE ROLLS IN THE SEA BEE' S. SOME OF THESE APPOINTEES HAD ONLY CIVILIAN EXPERIENCE AND HAD A TENDENCY BRING THE HAMMER DOWN HARD ON MANY MINOR INFRACTIONS. AND ONE OF THEM WAD ME. DPPO DIRECT PROCUREMENT PETTY OFFICERS, E TAYLOR PO2.SGT.

Response by SGT Craig Cornett made Aug 26 at 2020 10:34 PM

SGT Craig Cornett — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 22:34:32 -0400

Maybe not unusual but surprised. I returned to Ft. Campbell after a 18 month tour in Korea as a Spec 4 over 4. About 2 weeks later they called out promotions while in am muster formation. Announced my name and was promoted to Sgt E-5. I had no idea, no orders sent to me, I had no prior knowledge! I had not even been to BNOC. I was happy of course but about crapped myself. Lol

Response by Candy Alkaabi made Aug 27 at 2020 11:19 AM

Candy Alkaabi — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 11:19:47 -0400

I have heard a few stories of higher ups giving a full "dress down" of the one being promoted and then promoting said person right at the point that they would be droppin bricks.

Response by LCpl Stan Rabinowitz made Sep 3 at 2020 8:05 AM

LCpl Stan Rabinowitz — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 08:05:12 -0400

They told me as I was eating lunch that I was being promoted to E-3 at noon formation.

Response by SSG Mark Madsen made Sep 16 at 2020 11:54 PM

SSG Mark Madsen — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 23:54:09 -0400

When I was promoted to A1C my NCOIC notified me by throwing a zip sandwich bag full of rank to me as I walked through the warehouse! Zweibrucken Germany, 26th Supply Squadron, July 1984.

Response by SFC Joh Williams made Sep 21 at 2020 9:22 AM

SFC Joh Williams — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 09:22:08 -0400

I just landed in a drop zone during an exercise overseas, and the ops sgt pointed me out to the General running the exercise, and congratulating me there, and invited me to the five pm briefing.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2020 4:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 16:53:13 -0400

In the middle of my 15 month deployment to Afghanistan I found out when I noticed my LES showed more pay than the month before.
I knew my O5 board had met but was always out on missions and frankly had more pressing things to worry about.
A great friend there was a retired South African Army Colonel so he met me one morning at the helo before a mission with a new LTC rank he had gotten. He threw it on the ground, stomped on it so it was good and dirty, swapped out my Major's rank and then saluted me.
Best damn promotion ceremony I could have ever asked for...;)

Response by SSG Ricky Johnson made Oct 8 at 2020 6:16 PM

SSG Ricky Johnson — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 18:16:02 -0400

I was a SP4 in Kaiserslautern in ‘75. Every month Top and my commander would ask me if I would like to go to the 7th Army NCO Academy. I would politely say no thank you, that was for SP5’s, and outstanding SP4’s, and I felt that since I was still a SP4, the last did not apply. I think it was September 75, Top and the old man Came up and asked me again if I wanted to go, which I politely declined, telling them that there is surely someone else more deserving. Thats when Top handed me the orders to report in one week to Bad Tolz, FRG for 7th Army NCOA. I didn’t really read the orders, I just seen where they were for. That’s when the Captain stepped around Top and told my i had better be in the correct uniform when I report, handing me SP5 pins. Ended up having the best leadership training experience as the only EOD guy there. But that is another story.

Response by PO2 Marc Gunter made Oct 9 at 2020 6:20 PM

PO2 Marc Gunter — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 18:20:40 -0400

Not a promotion but...my high school had served as a Marine in Viet Nam. He always walked with a limp but would only say that he was injured in Nam. During my senior year (1984) we were all quietly led to the auditorium for an assembly. They then called our principal to the auditorium for an emergency. When he got there, General Paul X. Kelley was there to award him the Silver Star for meritorious actions while serving as a PL in Viet Nam. Led his platoon out of an ambush and refused Medevac until every one of his Marines was accounted for.

The only time I’ve seen a high school principal (and Marine) cry in front of students. He had lost six Marines in that ambush but made sure that they returned home to their families.

Response by Sgt Ed Allen made Oct 14 at 2020 12:14 PM

Sgt Ed Allen — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 12:14:40 -0400

Does this count? I had a friend who was a SSgt and found out that he was supposed to be getting promoted to GySgt the morning that he was standing tall due to getting DUI in town. As a result, the CO showed him the warrant for GySgt and tore it in half, placed it back in the envelope.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Oct 18 at 2020 7:12 PM

1SG James Kelly — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 19:12:49 -0400

Me.
Made 1SG.
It's a long story, and can only be told over a few beers.

;)

Response by PO1 Mike Wallace made Oct 29 at 2020 9:17 AM

PO1 Mike Wallace — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 09:17:50 -0400

Saw it go the other way once. I was the MAA for Captains Mast and an E3 who had gone UA was appearing before our CO who had been a WW2 Chief. He knew he was going to get busted so he cut one of his stripes off and had it taped on. When the Captain asked if he had anything to say before sentencing the kid said 'I know I'm going to get busted so' and he turned his head to the left and blew the stripe off reducing himself to an E2. Captain looked at him , me, and the 2 officers present and said 'that was pretty good, can you do it one more time'? Captain told me later he was gonna give the guy 30 days restriction loss of some pay and EMI but the smart ass routine made him mad.

Response by LTC Jerold Kaplan made Nov 1 at 2020 1:36 AM

LTC Jerold Kaplan — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 01:36:21 -0400

I was in the Berry Plan, which was the perfect way for a doctor to "beat" the draft- I enlisted. The Berry plan was a deferment to complete my training to allow me to not worry about my training being interrupted and the Army was guaranteed a fully trained surgeon in the future. My initial appointment was as a 2nd Lieutenant. I had no active or reserve duty but over the next few years, letters appeared stating that I had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant and then Captain. When I finished my training, i received orders to report along with a suggestion not to purchase Captain's bars as I would report for duty as Major.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2020 3:20 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 15:20:56 -0500

I was on a Reserve TDY at Ellington, in Houston. Had to run back to my civilian job office, one morning, to take care of some brief business. While enroute, got a call from the CO informing me that a Captain I was working with had been promoted to Major. A promotion he thought he wasn'

Response by MAJ Jack Horn, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, CCTP, CCTP-II, CCFP, CDBT made Nov 14 at 2020 4:59 PM

MAJ Jack Horn, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, CCTP, CCTP-II, CCFP, CDBT — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 16:59:15 -0500

When I was a company commander in Germany, I had a SGT selected for SSG report to me in my office, with the 1SG. I had the UCMJ open on my desk. I had him at attention in front of me. I asked him, “Do you want to tell me about it?” He actually confessed to several things I never knew about, lol. Then I had my 1SG read the orders and I pinned him. Later, I got chewed out by the BC, not because of how I had done it, but because she felt she should promote all E6 and above, not me.

Response by PO2 Phillip Scott made Nov 18 at 2020 2:58 PM

PO2 Phillip Scott — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:58:44 -0500

I was suppose to receive some kind of medal from the Vietnamese Navy,went up their chain fo command and then up ours , got lost so was told that it was to embarrassing to go back to the Vietnamese they would field promote me to E5 instead, I said yes sir, aye aye sir. I am not disappointed.

Response by SFC Kathy Pepper made Jan 3 at 2021 12:45 AM

SFC Kathy Pepper — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 00:45:26 -0500

I was on active duty for USAR with a friend whose civilian job was cutting Senior NCO promotion orders, so he told me I was selected for E-7. He had a co-worker cut my orders and email them to him, he handed them to me, and I bought my new ACU rank. The next day, I was talking to another friend and he kept looking back and forth from face to my new rank. In order to embarrass him, I yelled, “Stop looking at my chest!”

Response by Lt Col George C. made Jan 5 at 2021 4:35 PM

Lt Col George C. — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 16:35:16 -0500

During a formal ORI outbrief in the base theater, the (O7) briefer announced that while personal appearance for the wing as a whole was excellent, there was one gross violation of uniform standards that needed to be corrected on the spot. He ordered the Wing Commander, the Squadron Commander, and a TSgt, by name, to report to the stage. The briefer then proceeded to "chew out" the two commanders that they would allow this TSgt to be so grossly out of uniform and then presented the TSgt with his MSgt stripes! At the other end of the spectrum, I found out I made 1Lt by seeing my name in a list of promotees in the base newspaper (six months before it was expected). Seems Personnel screwed up and forgot to notify my squadron commander .... who was very upset about it.

Response by SPC Harry Elsasser made Jan 5 at 2021 7:52 PM

SPC Harry Elsasser — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:52:40 -0500

Back in 72 I was Depot Commanders Driver. Next day after being skipped over for E-4 I was driving him to a meeting and he asked how my day was going. I should have just said fine Sir but I was pissed so I told him That I had been skipped over for E-4 to a cook who had 6mo less time in service and grade. Next day I was called into Co hdqtrs and was met by the First Sgt after stating that if I had any problems his door was always open he then led me to Co's office and was once again told about his open door policy. He then handed me my E-4 promotion. After I got back to Depot Hdqtrs I was called up to the Sgt Major's office and received another open door message. Must have been a lot of ass chewing the day before. Never crossed my mind the Col would go to that extent for me.

Response by SPC Harry Pitt made Jan 29 at 2021 10:37 AM

SPC Harry Pitt — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 10:37:48 -0500

For me, although it isn't unusual, ass-kissing is almost standard. At least when I was in. That is why I didn't become a "lifer". I was in an E-4 slot but the cook carried my rank while I was a PFC towing the 105 Howitzer. He was in basecamp, I was the one out in the field. He built a really nice TO&E board for the CO so he got my rank.

Response by LCDR Mike Morrissey made Feb 13 at 2021 10:56 AM

LCDR Mike Morrissey — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 10:56:00 -0500

As the navigator on my second ship, Quartermasters (a term very different from the Army etc.) were the ones who maintained the charts, partnered and assisted in taking star and sublime shots, kept the underway ships logs and plots amongst other things. Key to all this is the leading petty officer. Our LPO was an outstanding older man who looked the part of an old salt but kept having a hard time just missing points necessary for CPO (E-7). So at the end of a very arduous deployment during the NVA 1972 Spring Offensive, his performance was recognized with a superb evaluation and a medal with an Admirals signature, not jus the ships CO.

So he goes through the CPO exam again and just stays true to his duties and we return to port and arrive in Long Beach within 30 seconds of planned arrival.

After our 30 day stand down we’re all onboard. I get the report of the Chiefs’ selection board and FINALLY he’s on the list. I’m in the admin office and ask the bridge to pass the word over the ship’s announcement system for him to lay to the admin office on the double...usually an indication of being in deep s—t.

The whole of the division which included admin and personnel and his quartermasters is in the crowded office. He arrives slightly out of breath, and I immediately asked him how he could have possibly done such a thing? He has that look of Oh God. And asks what did he do? “Damn it, you made Chief!” The time was precious and his smile lit up the office.

So after that, he got even with me. When a sailor makes Chief there is an initiation. In those days, presence of ladies is best not allowed and the alcohol consumption was enough to float a boat. The candidate for chief is subjected to “traditions” that he might recall after the hang over. The second worse treatment is visited upon his defense counsel. I was his counsel. Counsel is responsible for paying all his fines and to try to keep up with the swill.

Being part of his achievement and recognition by his shipmates is one of my best memories —such as they are through the fog of grog. He was given a VHS tape and guaranteed there wasn’t a copy.

Response by SFC William Allen made Feb 24 at 2021 6:16 AM

SFC William Allen — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 06:16:48 -0500

Unfortunately my story isn't so nice. I was to be promoted to E-7 after completing my ANCOC course. 60 days went by and no promotion. I wasn't to worried about it- when it happened the promotion would be back dated to the day I graduated so I would receive my back pay as well. Finally the visiting Command Sargent Major stopped by and asked why I wasn't promoted. I told him I was going to give it another 30 days and then file a complaint (90 days would have passed). I was hoping they would wait for the Company Christmas party to promote me when my wife was there but it was not to be. They had me report for final formation and promoted me in November. I asked if it could wait until December and do it at Christmas but they said no. They then tried to pin some crappy old and BROKEN stripes on me. I took one look and tole the 1st Sargent to place them in my hand, not on my uniform. After the formation was over I walked up to the 1st Sargent's office and threw the busted up rank insignia onto his desk telling him "You really know how to hurt a guy". I informed him I was insulted and was planning on leaving the unit just as soon as I could. We argued and his buddy the OPS Sargent came in and told me with a smile it was his old rank. I walked out before it developed into a fist fight. About 6 months later the unit folded up and I went back to the Artillery where I belonged!

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Mar 2 at 2021 12:09 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 12:09:49 -0500

We were having an Org Day, and that day happened to be June 6th, 2014, the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.
It felt sort of odd that we were having fun, yet no one from leadership had mentioned D-Day at all. Oh well.
Later in the afternoon, we were called to formation, weird, then I saw an old commander of mine on one side of the formation, extra weird.
Attention to Orders, and then I am called to post.
I got pinned on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, my old commander did the pinning and when I was asked to give the famous speech! Speech! Speech! I thanked the unit's leadership and my old commander for the surprise...and then proceeded to say a thing or two about D-Day and ended by asking everyone to observe a minute of silence for those that gave their lives on that day.

After everything was said and done, my Platoon Sergeant gave me a counseling for the D-Day speech. It was a positive counseling requested by my Commander. So double win!

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Mar 5 at 2021 6:38 AM

SPC Donn Sinclair — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 06:38:21 -0500

I was working nights, in the rack sawing logs. Platoon sgt woke me up, handed me orders, said I was now a Spc4. "Thanks, now leave me alone."

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Mar 13 at 2021 1:38 PM

GySgt William Hardy — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 13:38:00 -0500

In February of 1973 I was working the night shift at the Comm Center when another Sgt came in bitching at me. "You young whipper snappers think you are so hot!" I asked him what he was talking about? He said I made SSgt and he was passed over again. I told him it must be someone else because I was 2 years away from being eligible for promotion. He insisted I was on the list so I had him take over things and I went over to see the OOD. The Captain on duty handed me the list and sure enough I was on it. Service number matched. I asked the Captain if he knew anything about the promotion process because I thought I was not eligible. Turned out his primary job was in Admin and he explained that 10% of the promotions came from the over-list from those that had been passed over before. 10% came from the under-zone. 80% came from the primary zone. He said it looked like I picked from the under-zone. In the Marines you also get a precedence number indicating your position on the list of those in your MOS. Mine was 65 which meant not only did I made SSgt, but I was promoted 6 weeks later. That Sgt that told me was pissed off Sgt. My OIC had to transfer him to another shift to keep the peace.

Response by CMDCM Denise Parker made Mar 18 at 2021 8:58 AM

CMDCM Denise Parker — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 08:58:55 -0400

A few years back my Skipper wrote my promotion to Senior Chief on the back of a cocktail napkin and had his Yeoman Senior Chief take off his anchor and star for my promotion. I still have that framed napkin.

Response by CPO Jack De Merit made Mar 28 at 2021 3:11 AM

CPO Jack De Merit — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 03:11:31 -0400

I received a letter from the testing center telling me that I was the only person in the Navy who passed the Senior Chief's exam for Lithographer. I was overjoyed until I read the rest of the letter. It clearly stated that I was not being promoted. It pointed out very clearly that because of AFFIRMATIVE ACTION it was going to someone else. A Lithographer is a fancy name for a Printer. The person it was going to was someone I knew who had not done anything in Printing for more than 15 years. He did have Korean War service which apparently topped my Vietnam Service and he was black. When they promoted him to Master Chief I expected to get his Senior Chief Billet. Wrong again. I contacted the testing center and was informed that there was no need for a Senior Chief Lithographer, so they discontinued the billet. I made Chief in Just under 11 years and spent the next 17 and one half years no getting a promotion. The final blow was when I was told that I needed to retitre because I was not advancing in my rate. So, rather than let me finish 1 and a half years to attain a 30 year retirement, I was out with 28 and one half years.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2021 4:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:37:19 -0400

Granted this is from a different time/ generation of Soldiers; my Uncle, a retired full bird who was around when the Army Air Corp. became the Air Force, who passed away a few years ago told me a story... he said he always told his subordinates to do what was asked of them and he would take care of them, never waste to his time. His acting SGM, an E8 was nearing his eligibility date for his 9 and walked into his office with a whole five minute speech, when he was finished my Uncle, who I thought was a nice man growing up, reminded him about not wasting his time, made him reach into a folder on his desk that contained his promotion orders and told him to tear them up! As an E7 in today’s Army I might have had a heart attack right there, but I guess that’s why they were part of the greatest generation, their discipline and attention to detail is something to be revered!

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Apr 9 at 2021 1:54 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 13:54:35 -0400

The Navy publishes advancement in the Navy Times. When I made rate, I came in and everyone else knew because it had been published.

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Apr 13 at 2021 4:13 PM

MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 16:13:19 -0400

While stationed in Germany I was responsible to present a briefing at the weekly "stand-up" briefing. As we were dismissed one morning, the wing commander, whom I had briefed many times as a Tech Sergeant, came up to me and said "not a bad briefing for a Master Sergeant". I told him that I had not heard yet as notifications for promotion did not come out until the net day; he grinned broadly and said, "trust me, but don't tell your boss". I was elated.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2021 9:21 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 21:21:33 -0400

Back in 2007, when I was in Iraq, we had a Sergeant who deployed with us. We never thought anything of it as in the Army Reserve there are a lot of Soldiers who enlist later in life (I believe the maximum age for enlistment is 32, but I could be wrong) and they spend their time, do their 20 good years, and get a little something from it. Of course, we are all appreciative of these Soldiers who already have a civilian career pretty established who want to serve. I know I am.

We were about four months into the tour when we needed to internally transfer him to a subordinate unit. No worries, easily done. Mind you, this guy did not have consistent access to S1 systems and, from his point of view, he wasn't looking for promotion any time soon to SSG (he hadn't completed the PME required at that time, but had a school date reserved for when he was released from active duty (REFRAD).

I went into his Army Military Human Resources Record(AMHRR, the portal is iPEMRS) and saw a set of promotion orders was tagged "NEW" - which I thought was odd because the date was from a long time ago... like 15 years before. Curiosity got to me and I opened up the file. there were other files in iPERMS that gave his progression, most notably the advancement from E4 to E5 within the year before we mobilized.

In talking with the Soldier I learned that he was commissioned and, after trying to get promoted he thought he was passed over for the 3rd time (almost certain death for an officer's career), so since he already had 16 years served (some enlisted, some as an officer), he decided he would get out and call it good... no retirement because of being passed over.

He went from being one of our most junior grade E5's to one of our most senior grade 05's. When he retired he was not passed over. In fact, his promotion orders got lost in the shuffle when the Army went from paper records (201 File) to electronic records (iPERMS) and didn't hit iPERMS until a couple of years after coming back in - which happened to be a couple of months into our tour.

We couldn't transfer him to the position we had in mind (an E5/E6 position). We had to find another position for him appropriate for his rank. When I told our Commander (O6) about this, he was skeptical. After proving it to the Commander we had a promotion ceremony, where "SGT (name), report to the Commander" was finally read off as, "You are therefore promoted in the Army Reserve to Lieutenant Colonel with the date of rank of (I don't remember the year)" and all of the back pay for the time he served (of course, not the time he was out).

Response by SPC Alisha Dick made May 5 at 2021 4:57 PM

SPC Alisha Dick — Wed, 05 May 2021 16:57:58 -0400

My son found out he was a PFC when he got his orders to return home for his senior year of high school. DS didn't know until then.

Response by Col Ed Gunter made May 13 at 2021 6:35 PM

Col Ed Gunter — Thu, 13 May 2021 18:35:00 -0400

In the summer of '78, I was on leave in Austin, TX during a PCS from Lakenheath, England to England AFB, LA. I knew the results of the Major selection board should be out soon, so I called Bergstrom AFB CBPO. The clerk informed me I had made Major.

Response by CH (CPT) Jerry McGowin made May 15 at 2021 6:43 PM

CH (CPT) Jerry McGowin — Sat, 15 May 2021 18:43:53 -0400

knocked on my office door and handed my my 1Lt bar

Response by MSgt Nancy Jones made May 30 at 2021 11:25 AM

MSgt Nancy Jones — Sun, 30 May 2021 11:25:55 -0400

They way I found out I was promoted to SSgt (E5) was from a co worker. I worked in finance and we were preparing LESs for month end. A coworker asked me what my rank was. Of course I said Sgt. he them told me that’s not what my LES said. It had E5 on it. I had a line number but it hadn’t come up yet. I went to personnel and asked what’s up. They said a supplemental promotion list but never announce it as they didn’t think it could include any one on my base.

Not as unusual as many in this thread. It it took my by surprise. I also realized I’d been out of AFR 35-10 for having the wrong stripes on my arm.

Response by SPC Donn Sinclair made Jun 17 at 2021 7:11 AM

SPC Donn Sinclair — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 07:11:00 -0400

I was working nights. The old Sarge came in about 10:30am, woke me up, and said, "You've been promoted, you're now Spec4, congratulations" I said thanks, rolled over and went back to sleep.

Response by CSM Bob Stanek made Jul 4 at 2021 10:26 PM

CSM Bob Stanek — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 22:26:32 -0400

SMSgt Tony Barnes In my case, it was myself. Here is the quick story...

I was promoted to PFC (E3) on 1 August 1976 while I was on tour in South Korea by my battery commander. At the time, the commander and 1SG (who was an old WWII and Korean War Vet set to retire at the end of the year) promoted me to PFC in front of the formation and apologized that it had taken so long to get me promoted to PFC. I didn't think anything about it since I just thought it was old school promotion system, but thought it was pretty impressive about the apology especially given the 1SG's history.

Anyway, I was scheduled to change my duty station to Fort Sill, OK in the middle of October. So while out-processing in late September, the S1 clerk who I knew personally asked me if I wanted to be a Specialist (E4) before I left country. I said yes, but didn't think it would happen because of my recent promotion to PFC less than 60 days before). The clerk said he would take care of it and that was the last I thought about it. When I got to the transfer camp (Camp Casey), I was handed my final PCS packet orders and literally jumped on the plane when somebody said I had the wrong rank on. I looked at my orders and sure as shit, it said I was SP4 Stanek. Funny stuff... The clerk even back dated the orders to 1 October, so literally was out of uniform rank wise since the 1st of the month and I left on the 14th.

To this day, I still wondered if the Battery Commander or 1SG knew about the advance promotion and if it was legal and legit....

Response by LT Charles Williamson made Jul 29 at 2021 7:29 AM

LT Charles Williamson — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 07:29:13 -0400

Not exactly notification of promotion but it was an unusual promotion "event"... US Navy, CPO initiation day. Squadron CO had Quarters/Promotion Ceremony and pinned anchors on myself and three other selectees. When the ceremony was over the CMC called base security and had us arrested for impersonating CPOs and had us escorted by the base police to CPO initiation! To say the least it was a fun filled day from there on out!

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Aug 2 at 2021 12:05 AM

SSG Gregg Mourizen — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 00:05:00 -0400

Got my promotion order in the mail. When I called my unit, they said, go buy some rank insignia and pin them on. No ceremony for my E-5.

Response by SPC Bob Brightman made Aug 5 at 2021 10:06 PM

SPC Bob Brightman — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 22:06:50 -0400

I was standing in line for a urinalysis when the SGT in front of me noticed a problem with the paperwork. He said the rank was wrong because the paper said SSG and he was only a SGT. The nice SFC from HQ said no he was a SSG that she had processed his paperwork a couple weeks ago.

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Aug 9 at 2021 12:44 AM

MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:44:01 -0400

While stationed in Germany I had just presented my part of the weekly Wing CC stand-up briefing, and the CC said, "Not a bad Master Sergeant briefing". As everyone was leaving afterward he came up to congratulate me and told me not to tell my unit CC as he would not know until the next day, and to act surprised when he would then inform me. Made me feel pretty good to be recognized by someone outside my chain of command.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2021 11:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 23:29:05 -0400

I found out I was promoted to E-4 when I received my pay voucher once in Saudi Arabia after being called up for Desert Storm. It was effective before we left Fort Benning.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Sep 13 at 2021 6:30 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:30:23 -0400

I don't know if this one belongs with the other stories here, but here goes: I was on my first deployment to Iraq. My chain of demand and NCO abort channel were already giving me crap like normal (found out later that I should have turned them in for racial discrimination). I was pushed away from my unit in Mosul to go and set up & run the Squadron FECC by myself in Rawah, on the north side of the Euphrates. The day BEFORE I left, my orders for SGT came down (about f---ing time). My "leadership" KNEW they had come down and they held them from me because they just knew that the heavy fighting down there would claim my life, so that they wouldn't have to promote me. Well, I lived. I came back to Mosul about two days before Christmas. Still no promotion. I didn't know about it until my LES came out in February! AND MY ORDERS CAME DOWN ON THE 25TH OF SEPTEMBER!!! Then they tried to say that my orders were bogus and held my promotion from me! So after about 40 days of fighting them over my chevrons, I came to shift and my first-line looked at me & said, "You're out of uniform! Go put your rank on!" He had the sour look on his face as if he consumed a lemon factory! No ceremony like my peers, no special formation, no congratulations, no hand-shaking, NOTHING that everyone else received for making rank! Just a "g--damn, he made it! Now I can't keep him under heel anymore! F---!" look from him for the rest of the deployment and the rest of my time in Alaska. So that's my "promotion story."

Response by SPC Tim Cook made Sep 19 at 2021 12:28 PM

SPC Tim Cook — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 12:28:59 -0400

My unit administrator called me at home a couple of days before annual training was to begin, and told me that he was not going to tolerate my looking like a rag bag anymore. I consistently was awarded best uniform for my first three years. He told me to report in a day early to be inspected.
When I got there my parents and fiancé were in the office with our battalion CO, who was the officer to swear me in at enlistment. I was such a gullible kid that I was really worried that I was in trouble.