Is there such a thing as getting promoted too quickly?

2020-07-27T00:23:07-04:00

I’ve met people who have made E-5 in 2 years. I’ve meet the 6 in 6 and the 7 in 7. When the green light turns on for your next promotion is it right to take it? Do wait to “acquire more hair on your chest” so to speak? I feel like the faster you get promoted early in your career without gaining experience, the more likely you are to get passed over later on in your career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 12:24 AM

2020-07-27T00:24:26-04:00

I made 6 in 6. Remember, promotions are based off potential.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 12:43 AM

2020-07-27T00:43:30-04:00

I completely agree with you on this. I have seen far too many NCOs get promoted too early. I was a SSG before I commissioned. I often relate those that I work with with my experience. It was a different Army then. But there is a lot expected of NCOs and mastery at their levels. In comparing two PSGs that I have seen they were far apart with professionalism and development. One PSG tracked all of his PLTs equipment, maintenance, jump logs, and went to the range full prepared with all of the required PMI complete with score cards in hand to ensure the prep work was complete for each Soldier. The other PSG just showed up thinking they would just shot and call it day. The one platoon noticed the other was actually working through the correct sequence to qualify and track scores. The PSG that as prepared took other and helped the other Platoon. I wouldn't say the other PSG was bad at all. He wasn't developed and lacked the professional maturity required in his role. He was promoted on potential but that potential was never realized as performance. I do think that someone can fast track and promote quickly due to their potential quickly. I have see it work out and that NCO exceed. But this is a hard situation to deal with. The issue that I see is what I all generational decay. Every generation in the Army learns what is required of them. The issues is they really never pass down every tool they know. Give that a out 5 generations of replacements to a position in a unit then you will see what is expected of them is far less due to the loss of knowledge and Soldiers thinking they know enough.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 12:45 AM

2020-07-27T00:45:38-04:00

In the officer corps, it may be more critical if you move up too fast. Congratulations for those who made it up so fast. Does not mean you can't go green to gold? I joined the National Guard at age 31 and became an officer at age 33 years 9 months yet our oldest graduate was one week shy of being too old to be commissioned. 34 years and 51 weeks and he was our honor graduate and a sergeant 1st class and former drill sergeant. There is nothing wrong going to the dark side and your and listed people will respect you more knowing that you actually did the job as a private or a specialist. I recently worked with a one star brigadier general who was once at E1. SPC Nancy Greene SGT Private RallyPoint Member CPT Private RallyPoint Member SSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 27 at 2020 1:17 AM

2020-07-27T01:17:00-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Eons ago, my father was promoted too quickly.

The authority and his Irish caused him to crash and burn. The family was severely affected over a number of years.

At age 34, he commenced a lifelong search for a satisfying, rewarding career where he could exercise authority.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Jul 27 at 2020 1:26 AM

2020-07-27T01:26:00-04:00

Not always. I know its uncommon, I was selected for SGM at 14yrs and as a sitting CSM I see a lot of peers that are much older and more experienced with a complete disassociated connection with their formation. It depends on the individual for sure. I have seen folks that prob needed more development at certain leadership positions as well. You cannot use common stereotype and apply it to all. There are good and bad apples. In a military society where promotions are desired and elite, there will always be the unsuccessful there to criticize.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 2:06 AM

2020-07-27T02:06:29-04:00

There is good research that shows that leaders who promote the fastest also kick Soldiers out the fastest. It takes time and experience to develop the tools to be a better leader. When you start out, you have a hammer. To a person with a hammer, everything looks like a nail; it either gets hammered in or yanked out. But, over time you add new tools to your toolbox and you become a more adaptive and dynamic leader

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 2:10 AM

2020-07-27T02:10:22-04:00

I go back and forth on this a lot. I have known SPC that spend their initial years at enlisted rank entirely in training environment. They finally get to their first duty station and within a minute they are being boarded for SGT without any real experience in the "real army". If it were up to me, your clock for promotion to NCO starts only when you complete your MOS training. It sucks for MOSs that have a long training time (10 or more months) though

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 2:27 AM

2020-07-27T02:27:17-04:00

I did the 5 in 2 and about to do 6 in 4 thing. E5 was an easy transition for myself (although I did it in only a few years, I was 29ish when it happened). The E6 promotion is one that concerned me a bit, as there is much more involved in the rank. Working as the S3, training room and in a joint environment has helped me tremendously.

I don't think the time in the Army is what prepares you for the next rank, I think it is the positions you worked along the way.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 27 at 2020 4:45 AM

2020-07-27T04:45:45-04:00

I have known many fine NCOs who tracked secondary zone promotions throughout there career and became stellar SGM/CSMs. I have also seen where the occasional NCO is in over there head and that is where there career stalls, they become great at that grade and generally don’t move on. Occasionally the get rewarded late in their career. The reality is that would happen even if they did not get selected fast. How many officers do not get passed Major and even Cpt. Bottom line is that there is no golden rule. Generally I would say when an NCO or officer fails miserably, their leadership has a role in it. They see the weakness, often failing to coach m, teach, and mentor. The Army is TEAM, no excuse for failure.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 6:57 AM

2020-07-27T06:57:38-04:00

Yes!

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Jul 27 at 2020 9:07 AM

2020-07-27T09:07:14-04:00

Not necessarily some MOS have high cutting scores then others. Ya gotta look at that!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 27 at 2020 10:08 AM

2020-07-27T10:08:30-04:00

Ability without experience is like a boat without a rudder. Full of potential, but nothing to guide it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 10:13 AM

2020-07-27T10:13:20-04:00

As a former 1SG, I will say yes. During the early days of OIF and OEF I saw young, I experienced Soldiers being promoted WAY to fast. SGT in 2 years SSG in 4. I personally witnessed the effects of this where they had no clue how to lead their Soldiers. Some of them knew the ins and outs of their jobs while others were "board babies" and great at PT. At the same time there were Junior Soldirrs to their left that were running circles around them and it was some what of an embarrassment. Being promoted too early often breeds in disciplined and ineffective leaders. Its like a cancer that spreads through your formation.

Response by CW4 Scott Kjendlie made Jul 27 at 2020 10:35 AM

2020-07-27T10:35:53-04:00

If you wait around until you “feel” ready, you will see yourself passed over. If you’ve done very thing you can to earn it, you take it. However, it is on you to perform according to the rank you hold.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jul 27 at 2020 10:46 AM

2020-07-27T10:46:27-04:00

Went in as a PFC. Was an E-4 in a year. Went to the E-5 board before I had 2 years in. No I was not ready. Lucky for me I did not have enough promotion points at that time. Got to my next post and was changed from a Spec 4 to a Corporal. Spent almost a year as a Corporal, that was what I needed before I made E-5.
I think more Spec 4's in the promotable position should be made Corporals. That would set them apart from the other E-4's and let them have more of a leadership role before they are promoted to E-5.
Just don't see enough Corporals in the Army anymore.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 27 at 2020 11:09 AM

2020-07-27T11:09:00-04:00

It's all relative to the individual. I have seen faster movers who have always performed well and I have also seen shooting stars fizzle. I worked with a 1st Sgt who pinned on in 11 years. He was great on paper but they assigned him as a 1st Sgt for a rifle company and he sucked. But I have also worked with 5 yr SSgts who were epic. It's all on the individual.

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Jul 27 at 2020 11:39 AM

2020-07-27T11:39:58-04:00

I look at it like this, if that Let's say Corrporal to Sergeant, if that Corporal has proven ability at 2yrs then yea promote them! But if things arnt quite right. Then more training and development is needed!

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jul 27 at 2020 12:50 PM

2020-07-27T12:50:30-04:00

The number of persons promoted within each grade depends upon the needs of the service. During my tenure, I saw many people skyrocket due to expansion of total strength due to increased commitments. When this happens, it is up to senior personnel to recognize the lack of what would usually be regarded as desirable experience and pay particular attention to the newly promoted peoples' performance. Rapid promotion is not an excuse for incompetence or questionable decisions in the new grade, but seniors should recognize some may need a little more direction to excel in their new rank.

Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Jul 27 at 2020 1:30 PM

2020-07-27T13:30:20-04:00

I'm going to tell the tale of two staff sergeants. One was young, a PT stud, technically competent, and promoted quickly. However, he had no skill at building up a soldier, and did his best to get rid of his 231 PT score weakling. He succeeded. The other was older, took longer to get promoted, took that 231 and built him up to a 270, from a soft spoken mild mannered follower and built him into a competent junior leader. The NCO's position is to lead and train soldiers, but every soldier is different. One needs skills at dealing with a broad range of abilities and personalities. The first SSG didn't have that. The second did. I'm not trying to detract from the guys that get there fast, but if they get there without the tools to lead and train soldiers, doesn't matter how good they are at PT or how competent they are at the warrior tasks and drills, they will fail as leaders.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jul 27 at 2020 6:00 PM

2020-07-27T18:00:58-04:00

It depends on motivation and ability to handle the job. Some of us studied hard at our MOS and learned all we could to do a good job. Rapid promotions were the reward for dedication. I made E-5 after 2 years and 10 months of hard work.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 27 at 2020 7:30 PM

2020-07-27T19:30:48-04:00

Your mileage will vary on this one.
I made SGT at 3 years. I was set to make SSG at 4 and change, but some events occurred that were beyond my control and I made SSG at 6 years. Honestly that delay did me wonders in terms of growth; personal and professional.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 9:49 PM

2020-07-27T21:49:43-04:00

I am one of those individuals...I made SGT in 2.5 years and I pinned SSG at 5.5 years and to be completely honest, it does not matter one bit at all. This questions is seriously a case by case basis. I have met plenty of people that I could walk circles around who took "the right amount of time" to get promoted and others who perhaps not. I strongly feel that I can and do operate at the current grade that I am, and I would be considered fast tracking for some people. If the soldier is capable and able, do it. In my mind, a promotion does not mean you are ready for the next rank, rather, you're able to perform at the next rank. A promotion is more of a sign of potential than anything.

Response by Marty Farrell made Jul 28 at 2020 3:55 AM

2020-07-28T03:55:51-04:00

How did Hunter Biden and Pete Buttigieg get promoted so quickly up the line ?

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jul 28 at 2020 1:19 PM

2020-07-28T13:19:32-04:00

I think that question falls squarely on your MOS and your unit. They found out in Vietnam that shake and bake Sgts didn’t work out so well and you had E2-3 who were far more savvy. If your in a support unit and your good at your job I think it’s completely different than the 03 field where experience is doubly critical. Just my opinion. BTW I made E5 in 3 years 6 months, I don’t think I was exceptional in any way, I got promoted on points back in day, no idea if they still do that now, but you got points for PT test, range scores, time in grade and service, college classes , pro/con scores etc.

Response by PO1 Eric Justice made Jul 28 at 2020 1:20 PM

2020-07-28T13:20:30-04:00

I had the curse of putting on E6 in less than 5 years and was placed as the Leading Petty Officer, of my division (Navy Type not Army) at 7. Looking back, I was extremely immature and clearly not ready to lead 20 junior sailors. The unfortunate thing about the Navy is, if you refuse a promotion you end up with a negative evaluation and your career is screwed. However, if you advance too early, you lose the respect of your sailors, which causes your shops productivity to drop, causing you to receive a negative evaluation, and in turn your career is equally screwed. This is the Kobayashi Maru of most every sailor in the fleet (and Army too it seems). Of course we end up taking the path that most benefits us, and that's the stripe which is bad for the Navy.

Response by SSG Daniel Brewster made Jul 28 at 2020 2:57 PM

2020-07-28T14:57:18-04:00

This is super dated info, 35 years ago. I made E5 in 21 months in the peacetime army. When I was an E1 sitting in the company hq on my first day in the unit, the 1SG walked in and looked at the new guys and asked if any of us could type. Mind you, I was an 11B. Being somewhat new to the ways of the army, I thought he needed something typed right then and there. I raised my hand. Boom! Slotted as an 11B clerk in Bn S4. Fast forward two years later and I’m headed to the 101st as an infantry squad leader. Totally unprepared for the job.

I didn’t hit my stride as a leader until I ETSd and found myself in a reserve unit, where I eventually made E6. When I look back on my “greatest accomplishment” in the Army, one might think it was E5 in 21 months. No sir, not at all. It was arriving at Fort Campbell an E5 and leaving as an E5.

Response by MSG William Wold made Feb 17 at 2021 6:18 PM

2021-02-17T18:18:54-05:00

Early 1970 I did not make E2 out of basic but 2 weeks later was promoted to E-2. My MOS is multiphase and so at each phase the top 2 were promoted, the bottom 1/3 sent to the field. When 3 of the first phases were done, they combined that group into phase 2. 13 days before graduation of phase 2 I didn’t know I was promoted. I was honor graduate and they pinned SP4 on. wait I’m not PFC. Upon investigating I had been promoted 13 days earlier. I was sent to Shake and Bake. E4, upon graduation we were all to be pinned hard stripe Sgt E5 instead of sp5. 12 in the class. 6 weeks into the 12 week course, 4 of us (how convenient the 4 single soldiers) were pulled from the course and given orders for Vietnam.30 days later we get the here and the BN we were replacements for was given warning orders to wind down to rotate stateside. We were all split up here and there. We all survived, I looked up the other classmates upon returning, they’re all Sgt, we’re still sp4; only one of the 8 working the MOS, one checks ID at the commissary, one running the auto shop, one at the NCO club, one got out on a hardship. The others were sent off somewhere. It was another 14 months before I made E5. Then 8 years for E6, 9 years E7, 4 years to E8 and stayed 5 before retirement.