Rank
Rank
Posted on Aug 21, 2016
E6 in 3 years? Is there such thing as making rank too soon?
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Rank
Promotions
PO1
Advancement
Leadership
Edited 7 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 639
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I made E6 in 4 years and E7 in 9 years. Being honest, I did make rank too fast. Not so much for TIS but for my age. Since I joined right after turning 17 I started my years as a Senior NCO at the ripe old age of 27. I became big headed and let my big mouth get me in trouble. Now it was during the days in the Army where being stupid didn't cost me my career. It took another 9 years to get promoted again and I deserved to have to wait. My years as MSG/1SG then SGM/CSM were better for the humbling experience.
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SPC Cliff Jestings
I personally witnessed a two year Army draftee go from PFC to E-7 to Warrant officer during my tour in Vietnam, in 67-68. His MOS was telephone equipment repair. The unit was 459th Signal Bn, Nha Trang.
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SP5 Wick Humble
What was your permanent rating? Most fast promos are written in smoke, I always thought. Still, the pay's the thing, esp when E1 was about $109/mo.
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SP6 Peter Kreutzfeldt
SP5 Wick Humble - I made Sp6 but ETS'd as Sp5. But in the mean time I enjoyed the pay
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ENS (Join to see) I believe there is something to be said about making rank too early. I've seen it where it has paid off and I've seen it where it has been a big mistake. I think Commanders/1SG and First Line Supervisors need to treat each individual on a case by case basis. If they are mature and have what it takes for the next rank (expertise, shows initiative, military bearing, carries themselves appropriately for the next higher grade) then move forward with your best judgment. I've even seen this backfire as well. It can go either way sometimes. I've never had a Bolo in my career that I approved for promotion ahead of the curve - not that I know if anyway!!
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PO2 Henry Kaczmarek
Maj Ted Mc Neel Sr. - That's how it's done sir, as you now know well. As a Corpsman (in and out of the FMF), I found that New officers do well to heed to CPO's, Gunny Sgts, and Sgts and Petty officers. Have taken more than one 0-1 by the hand and said "This is how this is done, sir". Not condescending, b/c the rank is to be respected. But in a teaching mode, with full respect.
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SGT Wayne Grindstaff
I agree with the Col. as I have also seen it both ways. I have seen it with the instant NCOs or as we called them "shake and bake NCOs". Right out of AIT they went to another school and showed up in RVN as an NCO. Some real good, some real duds. Yet I saw the same with a few career NCOs that were Infantry MOS and when they saw combat for the first time were useless. Remember different times and circumstances dictate the need for NCOs and higher grade officers. JMO
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SSgt W. Aaron Gregory
PO2 Henry Kaczmarek - could not agree more. A new officer that wants to learn and excel quickly finds and latches on to some good NCOs... while maintaining that officer/enlisted relationship. It helps the NCOs out as well. They're mentors to everyone. They have an obligation to share what they have learned. This isn't necessary and often backfires with warrant officers - especially Marine ones. LOL. You don't really need to teach those folks anything.
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MSG Donna Dewar
I think Col Burroughs is right about case by case judgement. Some people have rabis some don't. If you do make rank fast you must have the good sense to figure out how to survive and learn from the best.
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ENS (Join to see)
I've seen people make Chief in 6 years, while still stationed at their first command. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your point of view), most Chief messes are not going to let a boot Chief fail just because they're so young. First Classes on the other hand... I've seen way too many fellow First Classes stab each other in the back in the hopes that they will make themselves look better to the CPO Selection Board (and unfortunately I've seen that work also).
I've seen people make Chief in 6 years, while still stationed at their first command. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your point of view), most Chief messes are not going to let a boot Chief fail just because they're so young. First Classes on the other hand... I've seen way too many fellow First Classes stab each other in the back in the hopes that they will make themselves look better to the CPO Selection Board (and unfortunately I've seen that work also).
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MSG Donna Dewar
1SG Truelove there is definitely something to be said for specialization and skill related to your job. We do need experts who are not necessarily leaders. But we are talking about a military that doesn't maintain there own equipment. Too many contractors being used.
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PO3 Paul Roth
CPO Eugene Gillam I have a friend that made CPO in 6 he came in as E-3 made PO3 first time up was caped to PO-2 EP tested made PO1 and made board first look he is now a nurse practitioner he was also 3 Warfare qualified by the time he was a PO 2
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SPC Edward Abney
1SG George Truelove - Right on, 1SG! I believe that the Army made a huge mistake in eliminating the Specialist (E5 and up) ranks, and, they should bring them back. There are many enlisted who do not want to be a NCO!
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SPC Edward Abney
MSG Donna Dewar - Good point, MSG. My Army was self-reliant, with very few "civilian" jobs. I believe that having many occupations filled with civilians will turn around some day and cripple the Services. We need the Draft, back!
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