How hard is it to gain a rank in peace time?

Question

Obviously, gaining rank is a good pay boost and a great responsibility boost. So how hard and how long does it typically take? I plan on serving 20 years, what is the typical rank I will get to at that?

Commissioned officer by the way.

Marine Corps infantry being the branch.

Answer 1

Generally, You will make it or break it so to say at Major. Either you will get picked up for CGSC Command School and go on to LTC, you will work extremely hard to prove yourself to get LTC, or you will end 20 years at Major. Some go higher. It just depends on your situation.My advise, get your masters and keep educating yourself as much as possible in areas that will help your career.

Answer 2

The rate at which you gain rank is not dictated by whether or not a war is going on. Each branch has their own standards, but typically you have to have a certain amount of time in service, take specific tests, keep a clean record (don't get busted for stupid crap) and in some cases pass your PT (Physical Training) test.

Combat, or the lack thereof is NOT a governing factor of your next stripe, bar, or leaf..etc..etc.

Answer 3

It depends on the service you belong too. Its more a question of not making rank when you get up to the 20 year mark. I think at 20 you at least have to attained E-6 or at least an 0-4.

Answer 4

In the USAF typical promotions will get you to Colonel or Lt Colonel in 20 years regardless of peace or war... Unless a WWII type of personnel build up happens again.

You would serve as a:
2nd Lt for 2 years * Automatic Promotion's up to Capt (unless you get in trouble)
1st Lt for 2 years *
Capt for 5-9 years before you are eligible for selection to Major

Maj-Col are based on selection boards.
Major
LtC
Col

General Ranks (Selected by the President, appointed by Congress)

Promotion depends on your job, how well you do it and what pegs you fill on the way up.

Other services, nadda clue. I just see how the officers get promoted from an enlisted man's viewpoint.

Answer 5

Wow!!! FRESH MEAT!! Commissioned officer huh? As a commissioned officer you should have been through OCS(officer training school) and in OCS you'll have learn how long it takes to gain rank, you'll have learned that there are tests to take to gain rank, and you'll also have learned that there are inspections and reviews you must pass to gain rank...

Answer 6

For Navy:

To make Ltjg(O2): you need a pulse. it's either one or two years as an Ensign.

To Make LT(O3): you need to be concious. 3 yrs as a Jg.

To make LTCDR: you need to be able to string words together to form a coherent sentence. 5 years as wearing railroad tracks. you have three shots at making it.. below zone, in zone and above zone. Most make it while in zone. Mainly depends on having the slot available.

After that, you need to know what you are doing, have the confidence of your superiors and have an opening in the next paygrade as well as pass the board. Fail to advance three times running, and you will be done. Most of the time they will allow you to finish out your twenty years rather than push you out immediately, as long as you are semi competant

Answer 7

dependes on what branch of the military you are in or wanting to join. the best way to find out is type (branch) rank structure in a search engine & go from there.

i know in the army, rank is just as easily acheived as it is in war time. all you gotta do pass your APFT & have the nesessary time in.

Answer 8

It's probably easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.

Answer 9

dont screw up! or in your case make sure your NCO's dont screw up because your the one thats gonna pay