Posted on Mar 15, 2016
When should an officer expect to be promoted to Captain?
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I have seen various charts establishing a recommended timeline for officers and their positions. But is really expected at the ground level. How long are officers waiting to promote to Captain from First Lieutenant.
The least time I have ever heard was three and a half years to make Captain. I know that is extremely rare and that the Army is now in a different era from when that occurred. I hear of the big Army wanted LTs to spend more time in their position before they promote.
What is the timeline that you have seen or is expected? Does the Army National Guard differ from the Regular Army? How about the Army Reserves?
The least time I have ever heard was three and a half years to make Captain. I know that is extremely rare and that the Army is now in a different era from when that occurred. I hear of the big Army wanted LTs to spend more time in their position before they promote.
What is the timeline that you have seen or is expected? Does the Army National Guard differ from the Regular Army? How about the Army Reserves?
CPT
Officer
Promotions
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 50
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TSgt Thomas Tansey
Haha, when I was reading it I though dang...till I saw the Navy Full Bird! Guess that would make you a slow learner! I joined this site because I typed in to google, "How long does it take to make Capt. in the Air Force?". I was on a site that listed all the presidents that were former military and saw George Bush jr. got out as a 1st lieutenant from a flying squadron? I always thought they made rank quick? Pilots that is.
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SSG William Ryan
You remind me of an actor Sir, I just do not remember that damned show! But laughed at the comment haha, I can tell you were an awesome officer!
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CAPT Don Bosch, EdD
SSG William Ryan - Maybe Bull from Night Court? That's where I got my callsign...
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Isn't it related to whether or not you saluted 1LTs when you were a 2LT?
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CPT James Jackson
If the 1Lt is in a leadership position either as a Company Commander, XO etc. then i'd salute (and did).
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TSgt Thomas Tansey
I know as enlisted we would play games with the LT's by spreading out so he, or she, would have to salute us all since we were just the right distance apart. Most of the time they would see a big group and cross the street. Just something stupid we did.
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1LT Kurt Mccarthy
TSgt Thomas Tansey - I bet the LT was like, yeah, I'm the shit, look at all these Salutes. Us LTs actually like that, but we don't tell you.
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The Army provides the requirements for promotion. All components Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserves adhere to those requirements. The rule book is AR 600-8-29
Eligibility Rules. The general rule to promote 2LTs is 18 months from entrance on active duty or 24 months minus one day from the date of commissioning, whichever is earlier. LTs are not boarded.
CPT, MAJ, and LTC. These officers must serve at least 3 years TIG to be considered for promotion (approximately 4 years of service). You only have two opportunities to board. After that, you will ultimately leave the service. Promotion screening authorities will review the official military personnel files of eligible 1LT to consider the officer for promotion to the grade of CPT. Promotion screening authorities will place the names of officers in the promotion zone on a recommended all-qualified officers list unless there are reasons not to (referred OERs, letters of reprimand, UCMJ actions, etc.)
Eligibility Rules. The general rule to promote 2LTs is 18 months from entrance on active duty or 24 months minus one day from the date of commissioning, whichever is earlier. LTs are not boarded.
CPT, MAJ, and LTC. These officers must serve at least 3 years TIG to be considered for promotion (approximately 4 years of service). You only have two opportunities to board. After that, you will ultimately leave the service. Promotion screening authorities will review the official military personnel files of eligible 1LT to consider the officer for promotion to the grade of CPT. Promotion screening authorities will place the names of officers in the promotion zone on a recommended all-qualified officers list unless there are reasons not to (referred OERs, letters of reprimand, UCMJ actions, etc.)
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CW3 Terry Gile
COL B, I don't recall for sure, but pass-over in the secondary zone does not constitute one of the two non-selections leading to elimination from the service, does it? Do the minimum TIG requirements specified in AR 600-8-29 constitute the secondary zone? Is the primary zone the minimum TIG plus one year? (Military personnel procedures are a perishable skill, and it's been so long I can barely remember my own name.) :^S
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