When should an officer expect to be promoted to Captain?

2016-03-15T19:22:49-04:00

I have seen various charts establishing a recommended timeline for officers and their positions. But is really expected at the ground level. How long are officers waiting to promote to Captain from First Lieutenant.

The least time I have ever heard was three and a half years to make Captain. I know that is extremely rare and that the Army is now in a different era from when that occurred. I hear of the big Army wanted LTs to spend more time in their position before they promote.

What is the timeline that you have seen or is expected? Does the Army National Guard differ from the Regular Army? How about the Army Reserves?

Response by SSgt Obom Bowen made Mar 15 at 2016 7:25 PM

2016-03-15T19:25:51-04:00

Very good Read thank you for the Share CPT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 7:35 PM

2016-03-15T19:35:54-04:00

I've been talking about this with my peers and wondering the same thing! Depends on if you are in an O3 slot, time in grade, qualifications and competitiveness, completing all phases of CCC, finding out when the board is, etc. Am i forgetting anything else?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 7:38 PM

2016-03-15T19:38:17-04:00

I was a 1LT for 18 months in the USAR before I pinned CPT. The reason for the acceleration, I was currently in a CPT slot as a Company Commander and I had both my Battalion and Brigade CDR push for my promotion.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 7:38 PM

2016-03-15T19:38:43-04:00

Isn't it related to whether or not you saluted 1LTs when you were a 2LT?

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Mar 15 at 2016 7:45 PM

2016-03-15T19:45:19-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member - I pinned 1stLt, Second Award at 3-yrs, 9-mos. from commissioning. However, I didn't see the pay kick in 'til 48-mos. I was in a Navy command, serving in an 0-4 billet, and my name was on the "Captains' List." We called it "frocking." Basically, getting the insignia without the pay. More common in Navy units, as I remember.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 8:04 PM

2016-03-15T20:04:33-04:00

Right now it's the first day of the month when you'll hit 4 years active commissioned service.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Mar 15 at 2016 8:10 PM

2016-03-15T20:10:51-04:00

I believe is promotions are based on Branch requirements, therefore those Branches with vacancies will have shorter times and as compare too those with excess officers.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 15 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-03-15T20:19:17-04:00

Right about the same time I pin on SSgt.

In other words, don't hold your breath.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 8:40 PM

2016-03-15T20:40:41-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member and CPT Private RallyPoint Member -
I commissioned in May of 2009 into the VA ARNG. I was promoted to 1LT in November of 2010. I served in O2 billets until June of 2013, at which point I became an S1 and submitted my Unit Vacancy Promotion packet, based on the fact that I had the right Time in Service (TIS), Time in Grade (TIG), Civilian Education, Military Education, I was in an O3 billet, and I was recommended for promotion. It was accepted but before I was promoted, I transferred to the CA ARNG and went back to an O2 billet. I was notified that I was being DA boarded in fall of 2014, and I was promoted in 2015 when the board finally published their results.

I don't remember TIS and TIG requirements, I'm sure someone can look those up. You need a four-year degree and to have finished BOLC. I finished my second Captain's Career Course by August of 2013, which definitely helped my chances, but not required. Of course, you also need to be doing well with OERs, APFTs, DA Photos, and the like.

Another thing to understand is they don't owe you anything. I am trying to get someone UVP'd right now, everything fits, but the Brigade Commander says he doesn't believe in vacancy promotion.

So... bottom line: Your stars have to align a bit, but it's not impossible. Otherwise, you'll be boarded approximately five years from your commissioning date.

Hope that helps.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Mar 15 at 2016 9:07 PM

2016-03-15T21:07:53-04:00

A little over 10 years ago, it was 36 months for promotion in the Army. I believe it is now 48 months. It's all based on the manpower numbers that the Army needs.

As a side note, I've also been told that the Marine Corps promotion rates to Captain is close to 50%, meaning half the Marine Corps officers are not being allowed to continue their career past First Lieutenant.

Response by CPT Catherine R. made Mar 15 at 2016 9:22 PM

2016-03-15T21:22:26-04:00

I pinned on CPT in 3.5 years which was the minimum required from 2LT to CPT. I got lucky on my board cycles though. It was 18 months AND BOLC grad to 1LT, 2 years minimum to CPT and be in an O3 slot. The slot requirement was waived for my BN as we were deployed when we promoted.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Mar 15 at 2016 9:48 PM

2016-03-15T21:48:36-04:00

I'm not sure if the rates are the same for Active and Nat'l Guard. But typically by the four year mark you are already pinned.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 15 at 2016 10:07 PM

2016-03-15T22:07:55-04:00

IMO The sad fact of the matter is they'll promote 'em as fast as they need 'em. regardless of TiG. Under ideal peace-time circumstances a person could languish in grade going through all sorts of seasoning, gaining experience training and a variety of responsibilities. But all that good stuff goes out the window when they need people of that rank to fill the positions TIG or not.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Mar 15 at 2016 10:44 PM

2016-03-15T22:44:40-04:00

When I was a 1LT with a mix of reserve and active duty I spent 7 years as a Lieutenant. the time spent worked out well for me.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 15 at 2016 11:20 PM

2016-03-15T23:20:54-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member While many things about the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves are similar... over my career I learned two things are very different, and are also different between the Guard and Reserves. That would be promotions (all personnel systems) and military pay.

For the active Army it varies based the needs the of the Army.... The average is 36-48 months, but that all depends on the vacancies and requirements. At the height of the Surge in Iraq, all AD promotions expanded and accelerated. We are getting back to normal now, which means slowing and waiting longer...

I would recommend you talk your S1 folks, and if necessary the State J1. AR 600-8-29 (Officer Promotions) and Army Regulation 135–155 (Guard and Reserve Officer Promotions).

But, in the end promotion timelines are based on needs and vacancies.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 11:45 PM

2016-03-15T23:45:03-04:00

Which state are you in brother? For the ARNG: 18 months to 1LT, 2.5 years to CPT in a decent sized State with vacancy promotions and a personnel section that is on the ball.

54 States & Territories mean the promotion rates vary widely. In general the ARNG has an issue filling captain vacancies and is well over strength on basic branch lieutenants. Very often its a battalion or brigade commander that will have a 1LT wait in line for the PL, XO Command time rather than to let the 1LT vacancy promote into a CPT slot outside of the brigade (training officer at the RTI or some such). States with small force structure (like Maine...so I've heard) must hold promotions on 1LTs as there isn't enough CPT positions to feed everyone in due time. A few years back I heard of a policy that held 1LTs as far as 4 years.

The States can make the problem worse by mismanagement of the State OCS program. An enlisted Engineer goes to OCS and wants to go Engineer after commissioning. The State will often honor it even if its full up on engineers and short on Air Defense with he 2nd order effect that it boogers up good promotion times for the Engineers of that cohort.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Mar 16 at 2016 12:53 AM

2016-03-16T00:53:11-04:00

Back in the dark ages when I was in it was automatic 1LT in 18 months, Capt in 3 years. The first competitive rank was Major, which if I recall correctly was considered at the 7 year point.

However, during the mobilization for the Viet Nam War there was a lot of churn of personnel into and out of the service - before the all-volunteer force.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 16 at 2016 4:14 AM

2016-03-16T04:14:57-04:00

Personally, I thought 1stLt was the best rank for an infantry officer. If they'd have forgotten about me, I'd have been happy 10-12 years as a 1stLt, or until my body broke down from the glorious abuse.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 8:06 AM

2016-03-16T08:06:53-04:00

1LT Eric Rosa,
Currently it's in fact 48 months from the time you pin 2LT to CPT for promotion. However, the USAR and ARNG may have different boards scheduled die to funding and other issues.

All of my OCS peers (YG12) pinned FEB 2016, but I don't expect to see my promotion until JUL-AUG16, since the USAR's board is in MAY16.
Now imagine to explain that a few of them when you see them at Logistics Captain Career Course (LOG-C3) after posting that salute and greeting of the day.

I think you must submit a selection packet for ARNG, whose board results will come out after MAY16 as well. If an eligible 1LT didn't put his packet in time, he may have to wait until the next board (maybe DEC16).

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 16 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-03-16T11:14:36-04:00

http://www.army-portal.com/pay-promotions/officer-promotions.html as opposed to: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/armypromotions/a/armypromotions.htm

Army-Portal.com - Army Officer Ranks and Promotion Requirements

Learn about the Army officer ranks as well as Army pay and officer promotion requirements.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 11:33 AM

2016-03-16T11:33:05-04:00

For us in the Reserve Component its all about slots. TIG ultimately plays a secondary role to duty position. In the past I served in a BN that was overstrength in Officers. It was common for someone to spend 5-6 years as a Lieutenant simply due to slot limitations. In my current formation we're understrength, so promotion timelines are shorter.

At 6 years without promotion to CPT you'll be put in front of a board. Until you hit that mark I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 16 at 2016 11:37 AM

2016-03-16T11:37:55-04:00

When I first came in, it was typically 4yrs from your commissioning date (2 as a 2LT and 2 as a 1LT). Soon thereafter, it got dropped to 3. I think it's back up to 4 now, and 4 is about where it needs to be.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 2:19 PM

2016-03-16T14:19:28-04:00

The time from O1->O2->O3 is a "Needs of the Army" thing, as always, but it also depends if you're in the Active, Reserve, or Guard component. When I commissioned, Active was at 18mo/18mo from Commissioned to CPT, but Reserve and Guard hovered around 24mo/36mo for the same (I made 24/33, so I barely beat the curve). Later on, the Reserve floated as far as 18/24 in some special cases, but now it's back to 24/36 standard. Active expanded slowly to 24/24, which is what they seem to be at now, but because of board delays it seems like it's become closer to 24/30.

Bottom line is, unless you're in a Guard unit with no slots anywhere, current 1LTs should be picking up CPT between 4 and 5 years after commissioning overall. One thing to remember is that Active pins on as soon as their sequence # hits, but Reserve has to find (or already be in) a billet of the new grade, which cannot be multi-person slotted, to pin on (and barring that, will pin one day prior to their next anniversary of the old grade). For a Reservist, that can dramatically extend the wait-time if you don't have a billet ready.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 2:22 PM

2016-03-16T14:22:15-04:00

My active duty service as a 2LT began 9 JUL 2011, and I pinned CPT 1 JUL 2015. You will know at your 3-year mark whether you made the list, but even if you don't you shouldn't worry. You'll be at the very top of the next list, and will promote shortly after your peers.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 4:35 PM

2016-03-16T16:35:39-04:00

A 1LT wears ONE silver bar. A Captain wears TWO silver bars. SO, it follows that one should make Captain when he does the work of TWO 1Lts.

Response by CPT Earl George made Mar 22 at 2016 8:31 AM

2016-03-22T08:31:50-04:00

it has varied through the years. When Vietnam was big: 1 year as a 2LT,1 year as a1LT, 3years as a CPT. In Germany 1974, my boss got promoted to major with 7yrs 8 months in grade as a CPT. want to get promoted fast: need a war and active duty

Response by CPT Steve Curley made Mar 22 at 2016 10:15 AM

2016-03-22T10:15:27-04:00

Back in the dark ages (1968) it was 1yr in each of the Lt grades and Captain at 24 months. The only requirement was that you wake up on the morning of your promotion. My Captains bars were tossed to me by MG Tolson, CG of the 1st Air Cav, Camp Evans, RVN on his way to his chopper. The ceremony was "put them on when you've got the time and you don't have the time now and oh ya congrats, Captain.". We were flying escort for him that day in a Snake.

Response by CPT Steve Wolszczak made Mar 22 at 2016 10:48 AM

2016-03-22T10:48:22-04:00

I'm long out, but I'll never forget when MILPERCEN sent out a minion to explain DOPMA (Defense Officers Personnel Management Act) which changed a few things for us (this was in '81 an I'm year group '78). Basically, in the interests of political correctness, it limited "below the zone" (discretionary early promotions 6 mos to a year ahead of your year group) to 2% of all promotions. This basically changed being an officer from a meritocracy to civil service. If you were between the bottom 30% (below which was RIF'ed) and the 98% of all, let's say, Captains, you got promoted exactly when everybody else did. That and the fact that they were putting Captains in Majors and LTC slots due to shortages (of course at Captain's pay), really, really took the joy out of trying to excel. If you didn't have a Command and weren't Combat Arms, you weren't gonna make top 2%. I believe i did make O-3 at 4 years at that time. The other thing MILPERCEN informed us was that Time in Service, to make Major had changed from about 8 yrs to 11.5 yrs. When many of reacted in shock, the MILPERCEN minion cited the "needs of the Army" and snarkily added, "we [MILPERCEN] never lie....the truth changes...." I thought that was bit cavalier since it's only people's lives they were messing with and I believed the Army could plan a little better than that (actually, it was related to the administration in office and how popular the Defense budget was vis-a-vis social programs, think Jimmah Carter). Weapons programs have lobbyists, the troops largely don't. This pretty much made my decision to resign after 6 yrs (and my O'seas deployment was up) an easy decision. I almost regretted that decision from time to time....However, one data point did convince me that I did the right thing. DOPMA, we were told, ended "up or out" at the higher ranks, as a lot of Majors and LTC's with 16 and 18 yrs were being let go, with pretty much nothing to show for their service. So, we were told, if you were a Major, with over 14 yrs and had CS&GS school, you were locked til 20. Then they RIF'd my classmate who was a Major with 16 yrs, and Advanced degree (Aerospace), instructor at USMA, cuz his particular branch, had too many Majors). You gotta love it. Hope it's gotten better, and maybe it has. But to tell you the truth, I'm sure i never would have survived the PC and pampering (victim/grievance) culture that's in place now, not only in the MIL but pervasive throughout the Gov't and Academia. To all of you whom are still out there doing your best, thank you greatly for you service.

Response by LTC Robert McKenna made Mar 22 at 2016 11:11 AM

2016-03-22T11:11:46-04:00

Unlike the other services which establish a hard and fast promote on the 4th aniversary, the Army has permitted promotion to O-3 to float around the 4 year mark based on the needs of the service. I have seen it as high as 4 years 7 months (when I was promoted during the early 90's draw down) to as low as 3 years 2 months during the height of the war in the mid to late '00s. The only constants are that officers seem to depart for the Advanced Officer course at around the same time (four years on initial station or so), and they seem to have the same jobs in BN/BDEs during their initial assignments. The only different is that sometime they fill O-3 level pre-command staff jobs as senior 1LTs when promotions are delayed and as CPTs when promotions are more rapid. In reality, the experience level of the officers filling those positions is pretty constant in terms of years in commissioned service.

The only other constant is that the Army personnel folks will come up with a story to support one dynamic or the other.

Response by CAPT Don Bosch, EdD made Mar 22 at 2016 3:36 PM

2016-03-22T15:36:32-04:00

Took me 26 years, but I'm a slow learner. ;-)

Response by Capt Terry Fillmore made Mar 22 at 2016 7:26 PM

2016-03-22T19:26:49-04:00

I was commissioned Dec. 19th, 1981, and promoted to Captain in Oct. 1986.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Mar 22 at 2016 8:46 PM

2016-03-22T20:46:13-04:00

Different situations change the conditions and qualifications for the promotions of all officers in the Army, i.e. War, shortage of junior ranks, hard to commission ranks of professionals and semi-professional fields. Then there is the need for certain languages, that can make an enlisted man a junior 2nd Lt. overnight.

As with all our Armies in the past and now, we attempt to follow a guideline on the length of service/experience each grade must have and education, before they advance to the next promotable level. This is only a guideline and can be changed under rapidly changing conditions. In fact, One day I out-ranked a SFC and a week later he was a Captain, direct commission, due to a few language qualifications. So he then outranked me. We were on amiable terms so it didn't change the work relationship except for his language qualifications and direct commission to Captain.
Attrition, lack of qualified candidates within the ranks and other factors can help some get promoted to a higher rank quicker than others. So it is advised to learn what is the current and futre needs of the Army and attempt to get the training to fulfill that qualification and make yourself the best preferred candidate for the promotion.
Now that I have written all this, the Army can still do what it wants about lengths of service, time in rank, and direct promotions. Just be the best you can be and you will reap good rewards. OOORAH!

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Mar 22 at 2016 9:05 PM

2016-03-22T21:05:53-04:00

When were at war within the "normal" time range - when DOD is trying to reduce to the forces, longer & hope you are not invited to leave.

Response by CPT James Jackson made Mar 23 at 2016 7:11 AM

2016-03-23T07:11:16-04:00

During Vietnam, some made it in two years (sorta tagged the base at 1LT). Took me 3.5 in the 70's ARMY, 3 as a butter bar and 6 months as a 1LT. BUT I was commanding a Battery as a 1LT and our Battalion Commander wanted his people Rank Appropriate. Didn't make much different, the SPC4's ignored me just the same,,,but they never ignored my 1stSGT!

Response by COL Diana Bodner made Mar 23 at 2016 12:33 PM

2016-03-23T12:33:47-04:00

The Army provides the requirements for promotion. All components Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserves adhere to those requirements. The rule book is AR 600-8-29

Eligibility Rules. The general rule to promote 2LTs is 18 months from entrance on active duty or 24 months minus one day from the date of commissioning, whichever is earlier. LTs are not boarded.

CPT, MAJ, and LTC. These officers must serve at least 3 years TIG to be considered for promotion (approximately 4 years of service). You only have two opportunities to board. After that, you will ultimately leave the service. Promotion screening authorities will review the official military personnel files of eligible 1LT to consider the officer for promotion to the grade of CPT. Promotion screening authorities will place the names of officers in the promotion zone on a recommended all-qualified officers list unless there are reasons not to (referred OERs, letters of reprimand, UCMJ actions, etc.)

Response by COL Diana Bodner made Mar 23 at 2016 12:43 PM

2016-03-23T12:43:33-04:00

Department of the Army publishes the requirements for promotion of officers. All three components (Active, National Guard and Army Reserves) follow the AR for promotions: AR 600-8-29.

2LT and 1LT. The law establishes no minimum TIG requirements for consideration for promotion; however, an officer must have at least 18 months TIG to be promoted to 1LT and 2 years TIG to be promoted to CPT (10 USC 619). The TIG requirement for promotion to 1LT has been extended to 2 years by the authority of the SA. Promotions of 2LT to 1LT are not boarded.

Promotion screening authorities will review the official military personnel files of eligible 1LT to consider the officer for promotion to the grade of CPT. Promotion screening authorities will place the names of officers in the promotion zone on a recommended all-qualified officers list unless there is reason not to (referred OERs, UCMJ actions, Letters of reprimand, etc.). You have two opportunities to pass the board. If you do not pass, ultimately you will leave the service.

Regarding saluting: The salute is not simply an honor exchanged. It is a privileged gesture of respect and trust among soldiers. Remember the salute is not only prescribed by regulation but is also recognition of each other's commitment, abilities, and professionalism. The salute is not simply an honor exchanged. It is a privileged gesture of respect and trust among soldiers. Remember the salute is not only prescribed by regulation but is also recognition of each other's commitment, abilities, and professionalism. My rule of thumb was "when in doubt, whip it out." I took joy in saluting - recognizing my seniors, subordinates and peers.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 3:22 PM

2016-03-23T15:22:03-04:00

The regulation for eligibility for TIG and TIS requirements has not changed. IE 2 years TIG as 1LT, however, its hit or miss. I just missed this years Reserve CPT Board by 2 Months DOR 1LT so its looking like i will be almost 4 years TIG as 1LT before i actually pin. It seems those that were ROTC seem to be missing the window for DOR by 1-2 months. This years and last years boards considered an 8 month window DOR 1LT from 1JAN12/13 to 31AUG 12/13 respectively.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 11:10 PM

2016-03-23T23:10:19-04:00

1LT Eric Rosa, you definitely took some others down memory lane. Based on your profile, it looks like your are a Title 32 Officer, so it is difficult to determine an answer to your question. Mentors in your unit are probably better prepared to discuss than this forum. However, keep in mind that the Army's official stance on promotion timelines has to do with development. In times of frequent deployments and training rotations, officers tend to hit specific developmental gates earlier, and therefore, promotions come sooner. As drawdowns occur and that timeline spreads out, it takes longer to get the necessary experience / education. If I had to do it over again, I wish I had been an LT longer not because of the "fun" factor, but so I could spend a little bit longer understanding my role as an officer. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2016 7:55 PM

2016-03-29T19:55:18-04:00

ARNG at the 6 year commissioned mark after being selected by a DA promotion board and being placed in an O3 slot you're qualified to be promoted in.

If vacancy promoted by the state, 4 years from commissioning and in an O3 slot you're qualified in.

If on T10 orders, active duty rules apply.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 1:57 PM

2016-06-05T13:57:45-04:00

Seems the timelines continue to change based upon the needs of the Army. When I commissioned it was 2 years as an O1, 3 years as an O2 before O3 for Reserve; however new officers a year or two ahead of me had their TIG from O1 to O2 reduced to 18 months from 24 months.

With the drawn down in forces in the AC and some in RC we could see these numbers increase again as the footprint is reduced.

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Jun 30 at 2016 12:49 PM

2016-06-30T12:49:11-04:00

I can only speak for the Navy. I was commissioned as an O-2 in mid-1983 and selected/promoted to O-3 a little over a year later in 1984; so the equivalent of three years of service. My first look at O-4 was 6 years later.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 12:46 AM

2017-04-28T00:46:35-04:00

It took me roughly 3.5 years to be promoted from 1LT to Captain in the Army Reserves.

Response by PFC Francis Ramseyer made May 19 at 2017 6:01 AM

2017-05-19T06:01:20-04:00

When he has the capabilities and proven itself.

Response by CPT Ken McGurn made Jan 7 at 2018 4:05 PM

2018-01-07T16:05:53-05:00

I joined at age 17. Active duty at 18. Vietnam as a PFC at 19. Promoted to E4 and then E5. Infantry school for boys at 20. Captain at age 22 and 9 months. (1966).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2018 12:53 PM

2018-01-17T12:53:11-05:00

I cannot really speak to the USAR or to the ARNG as my commissioned promotions were on active duty. Nevertheless the last I heard they were both about 1 year longer before you entered the "in-the-zone" promotion area. When I was last deployed in 2007 most individuals were promoted to CPT on or about their 6th anniversary of commissioned service. For "below the zone" they were considered in their 4th year of commissioned service. Let's not even consider other promotion pathways.
I have glanced at what appears to be your official photo. The CIB helps, as does parachutist (especially with a star), pathfinder, and Ranger school especially is really helpful. You have four rows of decorations which screams competance as an NCO. I assume you had command of an Infantry Platoon as a 2/LT and now you are doing your staff rotation as a 1/LT. Unless your CO is a real pain, I would discuss with him the possibility of a below-the-zone consideration. If you are already in your fourth year and a reservist do the same. Several things will help (but you may have already taken care of these) ... smooth off any rough edges you may have, cultivate a larger vocabulary, purchase "Effective Phrases for Performance Evaluation", purchase SMARTbooks for your current position and what you wish to do. It is important that you make every effort to use the proper tenses of words. For example, it is never "me and John" (John and I or John and me), "John & me are friends" (John is my friend), "we was going" (we were going), " John ... he disrespected me" (John was disrespectful towards me) NOTE: I have seen errors such as these from honors graduates of Harvard and William & Mary so they are very common today and my suggestion is in no way a "put down". Take a public speaking class where you will actually be required to address a group. Learn Arabic and if possible, Farsi and Urdu/Hindustani.
Your security clearance transfers, so if you can reach TS-SCI do so. Now this next recommendation can be really hard depending upon your personal or family situation ... if you really want to command a 1st class "high speed-low drag" battalion in the Army, go on active duty before the end of your second year as a CPT. The earlier the better. If you are in SUPER shape approaching CPT America level, you can try out for "the Unit" or "the Activity" (the latter if you are imore interested in intelligence work than being a trigger puller). It is much easier getting into the unit if you have had an assignment to one of the actual Ranger BNs, and/or are SF qualified with some "gray" or "black" unit experience. Don't forget the Company. Within the National Clandestine Service is the Special Activities Division. If GAG and DEVGRU are the tip of the spear, these folks are the 1st three molocules on the tip. They most often take their recruits from the unit, the activity, the 75th Recon CO, DEVGRU, MARSOC, and the 24th STS. That does not mean however, that they would not take someone with your background if you can make the grade. Selection is extremely arduous and there never was (to the best of my information) a PC easy way to get certian persons into SAD. As an officer with NCO combat experience you will generally have more common sense than officers without that experience. Use that common sense at all times.
Final point ... when you are in your 50s and retired from the Army or whatever, you will regret all the time you could have spent with your children (assuming you have some of course). Spouses of course are a bit more problematic in SO personnel. All the excitement, adrenalin, decorations, honors, and money from follow on positions will not make up for the lost months or years of family life. This is the GREAT LESSON that we all have had to learn the hard way. I would spare you that regret.
It was not my intention to go so far afield, but I hope it proves useful to you in some way. Please contact me via message with comments, questions, and criticisms.

Response by SSG William Ryan made Jul 28 at 2019 11:17 PM

2019-07-28T23:17:40-04:00

High speed 3.5 years. Might not happen with less deployments and different Army. Might be 4 years now with a few more months as a 1LT. Butterbar to 1LT is pretty standard though still.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Aug 14 at 2019 4:41 AM

2019-08-14T04:41:09-04:00

When he starts putting cover sheets on the TPS reports.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Aug 17 at 2019 10:21 AM

2019-08-17T10:21:23-04:00

Back in my day, the you could expect that promotion at about 3 years. I don't know what it is now.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Aug 17 at 2019 11:39 PM

2019-08-17T23:39:34-04:00

With you, May take 5 years. Dumb question. No wonder I smiled when as a CWO I smiled when I saluted. The cut line is major. Get your stuff together LT.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2020 6:04 PM

2020-12-31T18:04:30-05:00

Tack another year or two onto that for the national guard. The DOR gets backdated, but the pay does not...