What other ways should there be for someone to gain initial rank upon enlistment?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 23:09:36 -0400

There are very few ways to gain a higher paygrade upon enlistment at this time: JROTC, Eagle Scouts, College degrees. These pretty much some them up. Should there be options where certain technical certifications should grant advanced rank as long as it deals in part with the MOS that one is enlisting into? For example, if a person holds mechanic certicications, should they gain rank for that MOS?

Response by SSG Lyle O'Rorke made Jun 17 at 2017 11:57 PM

SSG Lyle O'Rorke — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 23:57:36 -0400

There used to be and I am sure there still are programs like Skills to strips that promote to E4 thru schooling then E5 after. Linguist use this program for those that are fluent in other languages already.

Response by SPC Sean Slaughter made Jun 18 at 2017 1:30 AM

SPC Sean Slaughter — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 01:30:24 -0400

Lots of programs in different services. Pretty sure Navy can bring enlisted in at E-6 if high enough skill levels are attained in certain rates. I was offered my E-5 as an MA due to security, federal law enforcement and supervisory skill levels, but turned it down. Most services bring officers in all the way up to O-5 on some occasions depending on experience/education(read about the orthopedic surgeon who was over the age limit who was given an exemption and brought in as an LTC and deployed), don't know if 18X contracts are still a thing, but that was fast tracked e-5 if you finished A school and sometimes e-6 if your a school was the longer ones like SF medic and you distinguished yourself. There are tons of ways for people to come in at higher ranks if they rate it I don't think we need anymore, I think we need retention of our actual combat veterans and enough pandering to everyone's bullshit feelings! Enough of this paperwork crap and back to NCOs being able to handle shit with corrective training that works i.e. If you lose your id a couple times your squad leader makes you an ID out of a big ass brick with a drawing of you on it and you carry it everywhere you go, but that's not allowed anymore cause privates get embarrassed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2017 3:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 03:02:16 -0400

When I can in, there was the "pre-basic training checklist", that allowed me to get up to E2. And then a recruitment referral allowed me to get E3.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2017 10:13 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 10:13:00 -0400

I knew a machinist that came into the army under the old "Skills for Stripes" program back in the late 90's. He came in with that MOS, no attendance of AIT required (just had to do basic), and was given SPC right off the bat.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2017 3:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 15:35:39 -0400

There already is. Your idea has been implemented for a long while, it's called the Army Civilian Aquired Skills Program.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2017 2:45 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 02:45:13 -0400

I would be fine with that, they're talking about Direct Commissions for Cyber Experts similar to Doctors. If they have Mechanical knowledge that would aid in their MOS then sure promote them to PFC or SPC.

Response by SPC Shaun Launius made Jun 19 at 2017 1:29 PM

SPC Shaun Launius — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 13:29:19 -0400

I did a pre-basic exam. It consisted of a pt test, explaining what the SFC and LTC ranks look like and spelling my name using the phonetic alphabet. That got me to E-2, Eagle Scout got me to E-3.

Response by SFC William Stephens made Aug 22 at 2017 11:37 AM

SFC William Stephens — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:37:05 -0400

Going on line early before going to basic or AIT and taking basic courses for that MOS to gain knowledge! getting the online part certification of BASIC or AIT just like NCOES