Question on US Army rank - Page 2

DOAW · 06-07-2007, 11:54 PM

Ok, let's see if we can get this straight. In the Army, to get promoted from PFC to Specialist the only criteria is that I meet the time in grade/time in service requirements. Now, if I was a PFC getting promoted to Corporal, what would have to happen? What promotion criteria would I have to meet?

edit: Or am I on the wrong track here? Is Corporal a "lateral promotion" from Specialist, as opposed to a promotion from PFC?

RittWitt · 06-08-2007, 07:52 AM

It sounds like you're on the right track here; PFC to SPC is automatic, but PFC to CPL is not. In order to be promoted to CPL, one's unit must have a need for that rank (i.e. an Infantry unit needing a new fireteam leader for a squad). Someone in a SPC rank could as well be laterally promoted to CPL if the need should arise.

For example, a Fireteam generally consists of four soldiers; a team leader, grenadier (M203), automatic rifleman (M249 SAW) and rifleman (M16/M4). The team leader would usually be a CPL or possibly a SGT, while the members underneath him would fall between the ranks of E1-E4 (PV1, PV2, PFC, or SPC). Say the team leader does well, and fulfills the requirements to be promoted to SGT. He could be moved on to another squad or team, and one of his juniors who is either a PFC *or* a SPC could be promoted to CPL and take over the fireteam.

This is just a hypothetical example, as not all units work this way, but I hope the general concept of how the promotions work makes sense. I point out that I am by no means an expert on this as the unit I work for (EOD) does not use the CPL position, as we have no need for it. There are no added benefits to being a CPL over a SPC except for the additional resposibility that comes from leadership, and the respect that a soldier earns for this.

V/R

RittWitt

DOAW · 06-08-2007, 03:00 PM

Ok, so its more of a billet change than an actual promotion? Are there any kind of Army wide standard requirements that must be met by all potential CPLs (ie: minimum rifle scores, proficiency/conduct marks, Fitness test scores, etc) or is it all just based on Commander's discretion and what the requirements of the individual unit are?

RittWitt · 06-08-2007, 04:17 PM

Again, I am no expert, but I would say that promotion would basically be based on soldier's individual performance in his/her job, and the unit commander's discretion.

DOAW · 06-08-2007, 09:14 PM

Ok, makes sense now. Thank you.

SGT Impaler · 06-08-2007, 09:29 PM

Not to nit-pick, but I would like to add some minor additions just to muddy up the waters a bit.

Promotion is never "automatic," and in fact, the Army is now stressing that properly trained and fit soldiers earn promotions over those who have not attended the required schools or physical fitness standards.

PFC to SPC may seem automatic, but per regulation, only soldiers with Time-in-Grade (waiveable), Time-In-Service (waivable), but also who have a passing APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) score and who are also fully mission qualified in their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty = Job) may be promoted.

But other than that, Eddie and RittWitt have been very expert in their information.

RittWitt · 06-09-2007, 07:46 AM

Oh, absolutely. I sometimes forget that my audience is not military/prior-service, and I don't think to mention some of the specifics that go along with being a promotable soldier like MOS profciency, outstanding job performance, and other good qualities. In fact, a soldier that shows outstanding performance can be promoted early from any of the "automatic" promotion ranks at the discretion of his unit commander, and higher headquarters.

Army Musician · 06-09-2007, 07:02 PM

ok, In the British Army, musicians are in the 'specialist category' of jobs, though they still go through the same ranking system although as a PTE you are Musn.

So is it the same in the US?

RittWitt · 06-09-2007, 07:50 PM

Nope. Specialist in the US Army is a rank, not a special title for certain jobs. I'm not sure if it was always this way, but it has been for at least the last 10-15 years or so (I think).

[R-DEV]Eddie Baker · 06-09-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RittWitt

Nope. Specialist in the US Army is a rank, not a special title for certain jobs. I'm not sure if it was always this way, but it has been for at least the last 10-15 years or so (I think).

I seem to recall that there were "Specialist" grades past E-4 until after Vietnam.

06-07-2007, 11:54 PM	#11
DOAW Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 544 United States of America Location: Boston, Massachusetts	Ok, let's see if we can get this straight. In the Army, to get promoted from PFC to Specialist the only criteria is that I meet the time in grade/time in service requirements. Now, if I was a PFC getting promoted to Corporal, what would have to happen? What promotion criteria would I have to meet? edit: Or am I on the wrong track here? Is Corporal a "lateral promotion" from Specialist, as opposed to a promotion from PFC?
	Such is life.

06-08-2007, 03:00 PM	#13
DOAW Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 544 United States of America Location: Boston, Massachusetts	Ok, so its more of a billet change than an actual promotion? Are there any kind of Army wide standard requirements that must be met by all potential CPLs (ie: minimum rifle scores, proficiency/conduct marks, Fitness test scores, etc) or is it all just based on Commander's discretion and what the requirements of the individual unit are?
	Such is life.

06-08-2007, 09:14 PM	#15
DOAW Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 544 United States of America Location: Boston, Massachusetts	Ok, makes sense now. Thank you.
	Such is life.

06-08-2007, 09:29 PM	#16
SGT Impaler Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 24	Not to nit-pick, but I would like to add some minor additions just to muddy up the waters a bit. Promotion is never "automatic," and in fact, the Army is now stressing that properly trained and fit soldiers earn promotions over those who have not attended the required schools or physical fitness standards. PFC to SPC may seem automatic, but per regulation, only soldiers with Time-in-Grade (waiveable), Time-In-Service (waivable), but also who have a passing APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) score and who are also fully mission qualified in their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty = Job) may be promoted. But other than that, Eddie and RittWitt have been very expert in their information.
SGT Impaler Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 24

06-09-2007, 07:02 PM	#18
Army Musician Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,038 United Kingdom Location: Plymouth	ok, In the British Army, musicians are in the 'specialist category' of jobs, though they still go through the same ranking system although as a PTE you are Musn. So is it the same in the US?
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06-08-2007, 07:52 AM	#12
RittWitt Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 27 United States of America Location: AR	It sounds like you're on the right track here; PFC to SPC is automatic, but PFC to CPL is not. In order to be promoted to CPL, one's unit must have a need for that rank (i.e. an Infantry unit needing a new fireteam leader for a squad). Someone in a SPC rank could as well be laterally promoted to CPL if the need should arise. For example, a Fireteam generally consists of four soldiers; a team leader, grenadier (M203), automatic rifleman (M249 SAW) and rifleman (M16/M4). The team leader would usually be a CPL or possibly a SGT, while the members underneath him would fall between the ranks of E1-E4 (PV1, PV2, PFC, or SPC). Say the team leader does well, and fulfills the requirements to be promoted to SGT. He could be moved on to another squad or team, and one of his juniors who is either a PFC or a SPC could be promoted to CPL and take over the fireteam. This is just a hypothetical example, as not all units work this way, but I hope the general concept of how the promotions work makes sense. I point out that I am by no means an expert on this as the unit I work for (EOD) does not use the CPL position, as we have no need for it. There are no added benefits to being a CPL over a SPC except for the additional resposibility that comes from leadership, and the respect that a soldier earns for this. V/R RittWitt

06-08-2007, 04:17 PM	#14
RittWitt Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 27 United States of America Location: AR	Again, I am no expert, but I would say that promotion would basically be based on soldier's individual performance in his/her job, and the unit commander's discretion.

06-09-2007, 07:46 AM	#17
RittWitt Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 27 United States of America Location: AR	Oh, absolutely. I sometimes forget that my audience is not military/prior-service, and I don't think to mention some of the specifics that go along with being a promotable soldier like MOS profciency, outstanding job performance, and other good qualities. In fact, a soldier that shows outstanding performance can be promoted early from any of the "automatic" promotion ranks at the discretion of his unit commander, and higher headquarters.

06-09-2007, 07:50 PM	#19
RittWitt Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 27 United States of America Location: AR	Nope. Specialist in the US Army is a rank, not a special title for certain jobs. I'm not sure if it was always this way, but it has been for at least the last 10-15 years or so (I think).

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