How does the US Army ranks work?

Question

how does someone move through ranks? what do they do

Answer 1

My husband enlisted last year (May 17). Because he didn't have a degree, wasn't an Eagle Scout, and hadn't done any of those other things that would start him out at a higher rank, he began as E-1 (Pvt.) Then, when he hit his 6-month mark, he SHOULD have been promoted to E-2 (Pv2), but he was on profile. Then, at a year, most people are bumped up to E-3 (Pfc). From there, you need to begin earning "promotion points" to be promoted. You can do this from donating blood, displaying leadership, etc. Once you acheive a certain amount of points and a certain amount of time in service, you can be promoted further. But the first three promotions are almost always automatic, although it is left to commander discretion.

Answer 2

cbrown has it right. but the department of the army sets how many points the cut off needed will be to get promoted and in some cases at least in the 80 they didn't want to promote anyone in the personnel field so the kept it so high that nobody could do it. no sure what it like today, hopefully they are promoting more people. i get sick of waiting for promotion so i went to the Reserves rank is easier there. What made me mad was the date I was discharge was the day the score drop for the first time in 4 years and and I had that score. Oh well. A very long time ago

Answer 3

This is a complicated answer and both of the answers so far are partly correct. One talked about earning rank prior to enlisting, you may go into the military anywhere from E-1 to E-4 if enlisted. Officers start at O-1 regardless. However, if a person was enlisted and got out then came back in as an officer they would start off as an O-1E (the E refers to their prior enlisted status and entitles them to a higher pay).

Since it is way too complicated to tell you what each rank is I have included a link for you to check out for the rank structure.

Now, moving through rank once you are in the military differs from branch to branch as well. All services have a time in grade and time in rank obligation you must meet to get promoted. In the Army this is the only obligation to get from E-1 to E-4. However, to become an Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) you must meet more stringent standards. You must be an E-4 and be selected to go to a promotion board by your first line supervisor once you meet the time in grade and time in service requirements. There is a primary zone and a secondary zone. Each zone will have a different time requirement. Primary zone is a longer requirement but once you go to the promotion board it is easier to actually get the rank. This is because you must meet points to get selected to move up to the next rank. Each job has their own set points that you need dependent upon how many people they need.

example.

11B (infantry) E-5
secondary 380 points
primary 350 points

350 points is the lowest you will ever see for being promoted since it is very easy to obtain. You get points for various things board (max 150 pts), commanders points (150 pts), school (100 pts), awards (100 pts), correspodence sources (100 pts), etc.

If points are maxed out (the highest they can go) then they are at 798 points. With this nobody will get selected to promotion unless they have been busting their butt and are maxed out in all categories.

points are only counted for promotion to E-5 and E-6. For E-7 through E-9 there is a board that meets and examines each potential candidate and votes by scoring the candidate. The board that meets is generally E-9s in their respective fields.


For the other services I am not too familiar with their promotion methods. Although I do know the Air Force you have time in service and time in grade requirements and once those are met you take a written test and if they need 20 people then the top 20 scores are promoted.

Answer 4

The ranks are e1 private, e2 private(pv2), e3 private first class, e4 specialist or corporal(has supervision responsibilities) e-5 sgt., e6 staff sgt, e 7 sgt first class, e-8 master sgt and first sgt, e-9 sgt major or command sgt major, and there is one sgt major of the army.
You can enlist into the army as an e-1 up onto e-4. If you refer someone into the army you can become an e-2, with a 2yr college degree you can be a e-3 with a 4yr degree you can come in as a e-4.
You can gain promotion points with extra education or ceritifications, high pt scores and earning badges.
There are also officers, they are more or less the managers and have more directing responsibilites, they are higher than enlisted soldiers.

Answer 5

Master Sergeant, First Sergeant E-8