Individuals enlisting in the Army can receive advanced promotion, up to the rank of Specialist (E-4), for such things as college credits, JROTC, Eagle Scout, Civil Air Patrol, etc. Army Enlisted Promotions to E-2 through E-4 are based on a combination of time-in-service and time-in-grade. Soldiers are promoted to E-5 and E-6, based on a combination of promotion points, and results of a local promotion board. Promotions to the grades of E-7 through E-9 are made by a centralized (Army-wide) promotion board. On average, the Army has the fastest enlisted promotion rates of any of the other branches. However, actual promotion rates depend on your Army job. It's a lot easier to get promoted in a job in which the Army is experiencing a significant shortage of manpower than in a job that doesn't have a shortage. Additionally, it's often almost impossible to get promoted if you are in a job that is significantly overmanned, unless you volunteer to re-train into a shortage job.
Enlisted Soldiers who meet certain prerequisits can also apply to be promoted to Warrant Officer.
Want to read more about the pros and cons of choosing the Army?
- Recruiting Environment
- Enlistment Incentives
- Job Opportunities
- Basic Training
- Assignment Opportunities
- Deployments
- Quality of Life
- Promotion Opportunities
- Educational Opportunities
- Enlisted Commissioning Programs
Interested in the pros and cons of the other military branches?
