How to Advance Rank in the Army
The military ranking system is designed as a fair way to let individuals who join the Army move up the ranks and into higher positions over time. There are two main paths to the Army ranking system: the enlisted ranking used by most of the military doing the brunt of the work and the officer ranking used by the administrative and command staff who lead them. Get knowledgeable about the military ranking system as soon as possible, and you'll go further faster.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
For Officers
-
1
Become an officer from the start. The highest grade enlisted personnel (E9) is subordinate to the lowest level officer (O10), and it's difficult to change tracks after you've been enlisted. Talk to your military recruiter about how to start on the officer track.
-
2
Take your time. Study hard before taking enlistment tests. Focus to get the best score possible on your GT or ASVAB test. Before you enlist, you will have to take one of these tests, and your results could determine how far you go in the Army.
-
-
3
Talk to your command counselor once you reach your duty station if you want to be an officer, yet you have already joined on as an enlisted soldier. The process of becoming an officer after enlistment is not simple, but it can be accomplished.
For Enlisted Personnel
-
4
Stick with it. As an enlisted soldier, you will move through the initial ranks (E1 to E4) automatically over time. You will gain a rank during this time every 6 months or one year.
-
5
Learn as much as possible. Once you have reached the E4 level, you will need to take a test, which is administered only at specific times. This is done to prevent personnel from advancing without the requisite experience and tenure. You will also need to earn promotion points through military and civilian education, awards and combat.
-
6
Perform your duties to the best of your ability. Discipline problems can render you as someone not likely to be promoted. Make sure not to do anything that might jeopardize your advancement. Likewise, inefficiency in a position may also render you as someone not seen as promotable.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Talk to your army recruiter if you haven't enlisted yet. If you have, talk to your command counselor. They will help you plan your military career, including advancements during that time.
