Which was your most memorable promotion?

2015-01-09T14:25:03-05:00

Today was my promotion ceremony, my first one I must say, surrounded by NCOs, my 1SG, my CSM, my CDR I thought about my future in the service and how many promotions more I will get in my career. Since this was an automatic promotion, there is a lack of satisfaction about it because I just needed to stay out of trouble to get it. But I'm really glad that I stayed out of trouble.

After all your years of service, all those hours spent studying for the board, your deployments, all the correspondance courses, your awards and all the APFTs that you tried to max out to get more points, which is the promotion that you remember with more sentiment value?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 9 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-01-09T14:32:43-05:00

Congratulations! There's nothing automatic about it. I still remember my first: E1 to E2. The BCT company commander read the list from the names that had been submitted by each platoon DI. Funny, he stopped after reading "Durish, John T." then paused and asked "Who the hell is Durish?" The assembled company laughed and I raised my hand.

My most memorable was my promotion to captain (my last promotion). It had been delayed because I pissed off my colonel and was relieved of my office, then sent packing to another command. My promotion to captain then came when people I respected figured out that I wasn't the SOB that the colonel portrayed me as. It was most satisfying...

Best wishes for your continued success

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-01-09T14:36:15-05:00

Congratulations @PFC Antonio Camacho Ortiz! I wish you well in your military career!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-01-09T14:38:59-05:00

I'm fairly early in my career as well, but I'll remember my promotion to SGT for a while to come, because I really didn't see it coming. I knew I was high enough on the list for there to be a chance, but didn't really think it would happen. I actually went to the board walk on KAF and had my SPC rank sewn on my boonie, then walked from there to the MWR, where I checked my email, and saw that the orders had been cut promoting me to SGT.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 9 at 2015 2:44 PM

2015-01-09T14:44:56-05:00

My promotion to E5 (SSgt). My father in law "tacked me on" at the Wing Promotion Ceremony. There is a picture somewhere where I am at a 30 degree lean while at the position of attention because he punched me so hard. You actually heard a huge "ooooooouch/daaaaaaamn" from the audience based on how hard he hit me. I had him tack on E6 too. He couldn't come down for E7.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-01-09T14:49:18-05:00

My most memorable was to PFC. The acting company commander pinned it on upside down.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jan 9 at 2015 2:50 PM

2015-01-09T14:50:44-05:00

E-1 -> E-2 was me seeing it on my orders, E-2 -> E-3 similar. E-3->E-4, I think I remember (so obviously other then the paycheck, wasn't that grand). E-4 -> E-5 was good. I had my stripes tacked down by the entire squad (those were the days that the rank was on the collar). O-1 was memorial as I was being commissioned. O-2, I don't really remember (kinda like my Spc!). Cpt was good as I had family come into town for that. Major was the big one....I had been passed over x3 and suspected that I would retire as a Capt.....got picked up for Maj well over the zone (which does not happen in the AF Nurse Corps in any kind of regularity). Family came in for it, I had co-workers that I respected there, and I knew that this was going to be my terminal rank. I look back as Sgt and Maj being the 2 most memorial for me.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-01-09T14:51:19-05:00

Congratulations on your promotion! I have two that are memmorable. To corporal in the Marines, it was meritoriously. And when I made Master Sergeant in the reserves.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jan 9 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-01-09T15:29:44-05:00

Corporal of Marines in 1987.

Formation, followed by the pinning on of the stripes (which back then meant that everyone in formation that was E-4 and up formed two rows/a gauntlet and you got each stripe/arm pinned on by each Marine) Holy CRAP was that painful.

That...was followed on by the pinning on of the "Blood Stripes" which was the same thing, except those are on the legs (for my non USMC brothers and sisters). By the time the ceremony is over, you can barely walk or salute. So I was then sent up to work the Main Gate, and everyone who came in congratulated, because they could see exactly what was up.

Remember that promotion with pride, for the rest of my life. I am old school, and do not consider that as hazing, but as a rite of passage. My entire career pivoted on that day, because in the Corps at E-4, you are an NCO, and the world is entirely different. For example, I now had "opinions".

That may not be the way it is done now, and it may not be how it was done everywhere then. It was where I was at, and I would have not done it any other way.

I have had each set pinned (sleeves only-Blood Stripes were a one-time thing) on after, and always ask to make it "count". Of course the gauntlet has decreased in size.....thankfully LOL.

Semper Fi.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 3:54 PM

2015-01-09T15:54:41-05:00

Congrats but don't get complacent, you should be working for your next one already, strive for a waiver.

I remember when I got promoted to SGT the most because it was when I finally joined the NCO Corps and when I pinned SFC was my most memorable because I had to work hard to earn it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 3:58 PM

2015-01-09T15:58:22-05:00

My favorite was my E-4. Still in BDU's, you did not get rank with damn its. After pinning a shield, my wife gave me blood rank followed by CDR, 1SG, and platoon sergeant. I miss that tradition.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 4:29 PM

2015-01-09T16:29:58-05:00

E4, my 1 and only promotion. It took awhile to get it but it was nice to finally get it. I knew I was being promoted and told the ceremony would be held along with extending ceremony. Months went by so I thought it was never happening. Until one day my name was called at the last formation of the drill weekend. I was pleasantly surprised. Hopefully my family will be able to attend my promotion to E5. Shooting for this fiscal year.

Congrats on your promotion. Keep pushing forward.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jan 9 at 2015 5:01 PM

2015-01-09T17:01:45-05:00

E4 Buck Sergeant before the AF got rid of it - Was told in the field that I was now a NCO no longer Airman. Did not have stripes only the leather name tag on velcro...As for promotion ceremonies i was always deployed never had one.

Congrats to you and your family

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 5:56 PM

2015-01-09T17:56:49-05:00

Congrats on your promotion! It sounds like you are already looking forward to advancing. As you progress you will see that it's not all about keeping your nose clean. Really work at setting yourself apart from your peers by leading from the front! Give everything you do your best. Anything from mopping floors to spearheading a new and difficult task, make it yours and take pride in your work. Know when to lead and when to follow. These are just a few practices that can make your career and your life easier.

My promotion to SGT was my most memorable. I started studying for the board the month after my waiver to SPC. I then speant almost a year working on points. When I finally got it, I had my daughter pin me.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 6:45 PM

2015-01-09T18:45:09-05:00

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member congratulations on your promotion to PFC. Don't ever think people aren't paying attention to the lower-ranked folks - someone paid enough attention to you to promote you to PFC! When I was a Battalion CSM and a 1SG, I knew every Soldier in my organization, I knew about their families, husbands, wives, kids, and often about their parents, too. I may not have always spent as much time with them, but that's because I had 1SGs, PSGs, Squad Leaders and Team Leaders to do that. But I kept track of them, you can bet. Most CSMs and 1SGs do, too.

I agree with a few other posters, that while a number of my promotions were very special to me, my most memorable promotion was to Sergeant. Joining the ranks of the NCO was a major change. I was a team leader in a 10-person detachment, and all of us had pretty much grown up together, gone to AIT together, gone to Alaska within a couple of months of each other, hung out together, and so on. Suddenly, instead of being their friend and pal, I was their NCO, their Sergeant. I had a whole new range of responsibilities, and that was a major wake-up call.

The really cool thing is I was a sports official and I called a lot of basketball games. I was teamed up with the Brigade CSM, one of the finest CSMs and men I've ever known, who later went on to be the CSM of the 82nd Airborne Div and XVIII Airborne Corps, CSM William T. Mixon. He knew I was getting promoted and coordinated with my Detachment Commander to have the Brigade Commander, a two-star general, come down and pin me along with the CSM. So I became a Sergeant with one of three best Commanders I ever served under reading my orders, and a two-star general and the finest CSM I've ever known pinning on my stripes - all in front of my 10-person Detachment and about 20 other invited colleagues. It was pretty special!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 6:53 PM

2015-01-09T18:53:42-05:00

You mean after I was dropped on my head a few times? lol

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 8:05 PM

2015-01-09T20:05:16-05:00

Congratulations SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member There is a lot to be said "just staying out of trouble". There are many across all the services that just can not do that, as simple as it is.

All of my promotions meant something to me along the way. My most memorable, was my promotion to Chief Petty Officer (Pay grade E7). It meant a lot to me that I was selected to be a Senior Enlisted Leader, it is a big process to make Chief in the Navy, from the test to even decide board eligibility, to the selection board process, the being selected and going through transition training. Your whole military life changes on 16 September when you become "The Chief."

My promotion to Senior Chief was special as it was a surprise and I did not expect it at all. I was on orders to The Pentagon, so that was cool to be promoted there by my boss the Deputy Asst. SECNAV (Manpower & Reserve Affairs).

If you stay in and have troops that you mentor, it will get to the point where you are more proud of when they get promoted, rather than when you yourself get promoted. Taking my original set of Chief Petty Officer Anchors and pinning them on my protege Chief Master at Arms Kari Wood when she was promoted to CPO was by far one of the proudest moments in my career, and I already have a set of Senior Chief Anchors waiting for her.

Any how, enough about this salty dog..... Congratulations again, every promotion is a milestone and a testament to your commitment to the Army, our fellow Troops, and your Country.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 9 at 2015 8:24 PM

2015-01-09T20:24:38-05:00

My most memorable was being promoted to Sergeant, I was already being treated like I wore the stripe because I was the senior specialist in the battalion in fact the CSM used to jokingly call me the CSPC (Command Specialist)/ My speech was 6 months and a waiver for time in grade and I am eligible for SSG in the primary zone, jaws dropped, I was in a MI BN will a bunch of linguist.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-01-09T20:20:35-05:00

Just by reading it I can tell it was a special moment. Thanks for the congratulations and sharing your part SGM Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 8:37 PM

2015-01-09T20:37:54-05:00

My most memorable promotion is that one that never happened (from E-4 to E-5). I took that damn test 8 times in 4 years and couldn't buy a promotion (4 yrs TIG, 5 yrs TIS). Torpedoman on Submarines (MM-W) was a CREO-4 rating, apparently across the board. It was the main reason I got out...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 9:31 PM

2015-01-09T21:31:39-05:00

What is the difference between a PFC and a 2LT?
The PFC has been promoted, twice!
Badda-bing

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 9 at 2015 10:41 PM

2015-01-09T22:41:55-05:00

My promotion to SGM. I was promoted by LTC Barry Norton. He was an officer / Commander I deeply respected and was privileged to serve with. I was his 1SG. He was the type of leader who held the leadership of the unit to high standards and was involved. Not that he micromanaged, but he was an overseer who directed us to the end goal.

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Jan 9 at 2015 11:19 PM

2015-01-09T23:19:33-05:00

My most memorable promotion, was being promoted to MSgt (E-7). I was deployed to Iraq and we were in the middle of a mass casualty, I had been scrubbed in on a surgical case for three hours when I realized that the release time had come and gone. I hadn't seen my CC or 1st Sgt, so I just assumed everyone was busy with the wounded (or at least I hope that was the case). This was my fourth time testing for E-7 and I figured if I didn't make it this time, that I should just plan to retire as an E-6. So I'm scrubbed in, blood up to my elbows, focusing on what we were doing and the leg we were trying to save, when my bunkmate came to the Operating Room door, pointed at me, then pointed at herself and then gave me a big thumbs up (she had also made E-7). I gave a little "whoop" of joy and then quickly regained my military bearing as I then had to explain to everyone in the room what I had found out. We saved the life of the patient and I got promoted, what better way to get promoted then serving our country & accomplishing your true mission. By the time I made it to a computer (several hours later), my email was full of congratulations and even my family had been notified by home base leadership.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 12:07 AM

2015-01-10T00:07:23-05:00

Congradulations on your advancement! Strive to make the next rank, then the next, and so on.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jan 10 at 2015 12:36 AM

2015-01-10T00:36:20-05:00

My last one. Here's your dd 214, your dd215, promotion warrant and proceede pay. Good luck. Get one the bus.

True to the idiots in admin, they never recorded the promotion. Officially I'm still a Cpl, but I have my paperwork!!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-01-10T11:26:52-05:00

Congratulations on your promotion. My most memorable promotions are when I am asked to promote my subordinates from enlised to officer. Many of my guys have went through PA school and one to OCS. It is always an honor to participate in that ceremony.

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Jan 10 at 2015 7:48 PM

2015-01-10T19:48:13-05:00

Mine was being pinned Cpl by my Gunny and my MSgt in Iraq in '09.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 7:58 PM

2015-01-10T19:58:54-05:00

Boatswain Mate Chief and Chief Warrant Officer

Response by LCpl Brandon Barnes made Jan 10 at 2015 8:08 PM

2015-01-10T20:08:21-05:00

When I made Private, Parris Island, October 2004.
Congrats by the way!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 8:28 PM

2015-01-10T20:28:18-05:00

Thank you all for the congratulations and all the good advices and great wishes. I got a lot more responses that what I expected! A lot of great experiences shared, looking forward to fill my book of mines...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-01-10T21:37:30-05:00

E-7 hands down. after nine years as an E-6 i never thought it was ever going to happen. it was also my first "real" promotion ceremony where it was my day.

Response by SFC Larry Mann made Jan 10 at 2015 10:04 PM

2015-01-10T22:04:51-05:00

SPC E4, had to walk the gauntlet. Arms and chest were very sore afterward. Do they still do that?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-01-11T23:54:03-05:00

I would say my most memorable promotion for me was my promotion to 2LT. It was memorable for two reasons. First, was the fact that I as commissioned at the US Senate. The second reason was because I planned my ceremony. No dog and pony show, but just a short speech by my good friend and a few words by myself. Oh and the cupcakes! I loved the cupcakes.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 12 at 2015 2:47 AM

2015-01-12T02:47:02-05:00

Congratulations on your promotion!
M most memorable was in a HUMMER with the Battalion CSM on the way into Iraq where he said "Oh yes, today is 1 January, you are now a Sergeant, do you have rank yet?" We went to a unit and scrounged for a set of Buck SGT pin on rank and I put them on myself. I also picked up a pair for my buddy who also made SGT and when he saw me I said congratulations but we could not find anymore rank for him...he wanted to buy mine but I then gave him them.
No pomp and Circumstance, no ceremony, no big deal but where better to be promoted than rolling into battle. This was my first photo as a SGT/E-5

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Jan 12 at 2015 8:02 AM

2015-01-12T08:02:10-05:00

I will never forget my promotion to Sergeant at 2-44 ADA (AASLT), Fort Campbell, KY. I was a legal NCO consolidated at the division level, but still assigned to an ADA Battalion. The first time I met my Bn CSM is when I went to receive permission to go to Air Assault School... a semi formal requirement back then to go to a promotion board. He had pictures of himself inflictly needless pain upon himself (piercing, jeep on chest, kind of stuff) and a big sign that said 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'

Right after I graduated Air Assault, everyone in my Bn was told to line up to receive our wings... the CSM gave us blood wings. I had holes for about three weeks.

Finally I went to the board, dazzled the CSM and everyone else that I had never met before, and eventually made the point an pinned on. It was the hardest earned promotion I ever received. I never saw anyone in that unit after the promotion board.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 12 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-01-12T10:57:14-05:00

My promotion to TSgt/E-6, my ceremony was meager by most standards, but the fact that I was deployed to Tallil Air Base, Iraq at the time made it so much more memorable.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-01-12T12:05:02-05:00

When I was promoted to Sergeant. Took a while. i knew I wasnt ready in my younger days to be an NCO. But when I was ready, I was chomping at the bit to get all the training I needed to get promoted. Once I got those stripes on, I had a smile for hours.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 12:06 PM

2015-01-12T12:06:33-05:00

Don't ever forget that feeling! You are going to have days when it just doesn't feel worth it, but look back at times like that.

Obviously my most memorable was my most recent promotion as it is a huge step.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 6:30 AM

2015-01-13T06:30:16-05:00

When I made E5 I thought that I was going to have to pull the rank out of my collar with a pair of pliers. It hurt but it made me proud. But my most memorable promotion was to SFC (E7).

This was my first promotion that my family was able to attend because I was already an E4 when I got married and I was in Iraq for my SGT and SSG promotions. Plus, when I sounded off with the NCO Creed, every NCO joined in and we almost shook the building down. That was a proud moment for me.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Jan 13 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-01-13T10:24:24-05:00

I got my Sergeant stripes pinned on by an Army Ranger and a Navy SEAL (and the company commander, natch). They gave me blood rank. They didn't take it easy on me. Later that day, once the company formation was done, I ran the gauntlet.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 13 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-01-13T10:40:55-05:00

Congrats on your promotion! Keep up the hard work.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jan 13 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-01-13T10:44:44-05:00

Two come to mind and a third just entered. I will explain it like this, WO1 because my dad was able to be there with his divorced wife, my mom and pin my rank on for the only time in my career, then CW2 due to being in Honduras and having a huge bucket of iced water dumped over my head and shoulders similar to the NFL coaches dousing. Then CW5 and not because it was CW5, but rather because my wife had never been to a single Army promotion of any type or anyone until then and it was her first and last for me obviously. My kids attended also for the first time. MG McConville performed the honors at Division HQ of the 101 and it was a very nice event that gave everyone who attended the opportunity to check out the history of the 101st.

Response by SFC David Lindeman made Jan 13 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-01-13T11:20:41-05:00

E4 promotion. We were about to leave to go down range and I had to go from the supply room through the 1SG office. Another PFC and I were walking though when Top threw the sham shield at us and said to have them on before we hit the assembly area.

Response by SFC Royce Williams made Jan 14 at 2015 9:20 AM

2015-01-14T09:20:55-05:00

Mine was SFC. I was a Drill Sergeant at the buddy/team live fire range at Ft Benning. My BN command team came out for the ceremony and my wife pinned my rank to my soft cap. All of my Soldiers got to see and be a part of my promotion and got to see that not everything is a butt chewing. It was a fine day and one I will remember forever.

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Jan 14 at 2015 9:42 AM

2015-01-14T09:42:31-05:00

E-6 to O-1, very proud/happy day.

Response by SPC Charles Slininger made Jan 14 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-01-14T11:44:19-05:00

My promotion from E-3/E-4 as they happened on the same formation. I think I was an E-3 for less than 5 minutes. I was to be promoted to E-3 before I was mobilized and attached to a different state for deployment. So it took a while for the paperwork to catch up to me. By that time I was promoted to E-4.

At least I didn't have to update my Class-A's in between.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 11:36 PM

2015-02-06T23:36:45-05:00

I am seriously stoked about my forthcoming pinning of SSG tomorrow.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-02-06T23:54:09-05:00

For me, I would have to say the promotion to Sergeant Major / E9. I was pinned on the stage at the Sergeants Major Academy with a lot of my peers and with our families present. A lot of emotions go through you when you realize that it was officially you last promotion and that you have reached the pinnacle of the enlisted ranks. You also ponder the extreme privilege and responsibility it is to lead and serve at the level. By far my most memorable promotion.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 2:04 AM

2015-02-07T02:04:01-05:00

Making PFC/E-3 for the second time was my most memorable. Made me realize I needed to pull my head out of my ass!

Response by Sgt Mark Ramos made Feb 7 at 2015 2:15 AM

2015-02-07T02:15:17-05:00

E4 SrA to E4 Sgt. Although the pay was the same everything changed.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Feb 9 at 2015 4:15 PM

2015-02-09T16:15:26-05:00

For me it was my first real promotion as well, when I won Senior Airman "below-the-zone". I liked the feeling of direct, one on one competition, between me and the other airman who were nominated. After that promotions were less out of my direct control. Performance report points hinged as much on who your supervisor was and the quality of other members in your unit. Medals points reflected how often you PCS'd, or if your unit deployed. Not that I wasn't happy making SSgt, TSgt, and MSgt.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2022 1:09 PM

2022-09-27T13:09:17-04:00

Congratulations.