As an older enlistee, what should I expect for a normal Army career progression for a 12B? What else can I do to look better among my peers?

2020-12-28T22:00:56-05:00

I am currently 30 years old and an e4 at Fort Carson. I am prior service national guard and a little reserve time. I enlisted March of 2020 for active duty. They gave about 4 months active duty time from my prior part time service. I know I’m very behind in terms of active duty and rank structure, I have guys in my unit who are 21 and e5s.

I have goals in mind for making rank:
By Age 35 at least e5.
By age 38 to 40 become an e6.
Maybe e7 later.

Wondering if anyone has been in this situation or has advice on this? Also any ideas on how to look better among my peers i.e. drill sergeant, airborne, sapper school stuff like that?

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Dec 28 at 2020 10:17 PM

2020-12-28T22:17:07-05:00

Drill Sergeant did wonders for my career. Perhaps something to look at when you make E-5, if they still take E-5s.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2020 11:11 PM

2020-12-28T23:11:14-05:00

If you push hard enough, you could be a SSG by the time you are 37.

I recommend you pushing hard on the requests for Sapper School. Also, find out what additional duties in your unit are still unfilled (that you can do based on rank) and ask to take charge of those additional duties. Maximize all time available to get civilian education completed. Those hours are worth points. Same with military correspondence education. As soon as you pin SGT, I would recommend you wait one year before submitting a packet for Drill Sergeant. This way, it will give you time under your belt as an NCO before you take that DS route. But, that is just my opinion. Also, find a Senior NCO and ask them to be your Mentor IOT help guide you to your goals as soon as humanly possible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2020 11:13 PM

2020-12-28T23:13:11-05:00

You're not behind your peers, you're way ahead. Your timeline isn't measured in age, it's active duty. You're an E4 with 4 months time in service, and a level of maturity and experience that is a decade ahead of your peers. If it takes you 5 years to make SGT in a combat arms MOS, you're doing it wrong.

Your branch has your Career Map for MOS in Army Career Tracker. This is the gold standard for what you need to work on at what stage in your career to stand out above your peers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2020 11:27 PM

2020-12-28T23:27:14-05:00

Going to Sapper school won't hurt your career. Generally speaking males in combat arms MOSs aren't going to have much luck going Drill Sergeant until they're a SSG, which I wouldn't recommend until you're KD complete with 24 months time in grade and position.
As SFC Private RallyPoint Member stated, you're not necessarily behind your peers- you have a decade of real world experience and hopefully the maturity to go with it. Leverage that to assist new Soldiers, peers, and even some junior leaders who desire that advice from life experience if it's their first time living on their own.
For what it's worth, I made SFC in 10 years. In a combat support MOS. If you push yourself and do well, you can make SFC by the time you're 40. The real question is if you want to be a 12B for 20 years.
-SFC Mullet

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2020 11:42 PM

2020-12-28T23:42:20-05:00

Apply to become a flight Warrant. Best decision I’ve ever made.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2020 11:59 PM

2020-12-28T23:59:52-05:00

It's great to see the advice coming out of this as I joined very late. 34 and an E3, got out of AIT just barely a year ago. But since then I've gotten my master rappel tab, double MOSQd and recieved additional training. Do what needs to be done and your merits will speak for you. Your leadership will guide and direct you and help you on your career path. My SGM has had me sit in on several unit planning meetings, has given me multiple learning opportunities and I now been moved to battalion (to make rank faster).Your leadership will see your potential and give you enough to make you grow into the positions they give you. Take advantage of the wisdom your higher ups give you. You'll make rank faster than you realize.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 12:21 AM

2020-12-29T00:21:08-05:00

Don't stress it man. I joined the Army late, at 27, but I feel it gave me a huge advantage. AS SFC Boyd stated, the maturity and life experience is huge, and people will recognize and appreciate it. I was a 28 year old SPC. I made E5 at during my 2nd year in service and E6 during my 4th year in service......So I was a 27 year old PFC, 28 year old SPC, 30 year old SGT and 32 year old SSG.

Go to boards, I don't know why...but this is huge. It gives higher visibility on it, you will stand out from your peers just for going, let alone winning.

Start acting like a leader. Your rank doesn't matter, you are older and have life experience, take care of the Joes. They want to buy a car, make weird financial decisions, buy a house, whatever it is....you more than likely have the most experience there, share it with them.

Max out correspondence courses, knock out civilian ed (even if it means just transferring JST credits), WORK ON PT. I am stressing PT because you are older, it will be more difficult for you to keep up with your peers as time goes on......trust me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 2:52 AM

2020-12-29T02:52:33-05:00

good luck man.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 29 at 2020 6:17 AM

2020-12-29T06:17:44-05:00

Listen Sokdier you laid it out perfectly. Your career ladder is reasonable, it’s even likely you will move up faster than indicated. The specialties you list are those you should strive for. Al you need to do is be more mature in mayrurty as you are in age. Be more fit than most, follow orders, learn the NCO creed and begin to emulate. During my years of service, those who entered a little older generally did well, with a few acceptions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 5:55 PM

2020-12-29T17:55:56-05:00

Just bring maturity in and you will do well. I enlisted late at 23 as an E-1. I’m 25 now and an E-5. Do what you’re told to do and what you’re expected without asking. Like everyone said, boards get you noticed. Separate yourself by being proficient in your job.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 5:59 PM

2020-12-29T17:59:01-05:00

I am 30 E-4 joined army at 28. I feel you brother, someone around our age is already company commander or SSG. I believe people can do more than they ever believe they can do. Physically, mentally, academically. You have to be pushed. We're not late.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 29 at 2020 7:07 PM

2020-12-29T19:07:31-05:00

- Always look at one grade higher to determine their competencies.
- Always be reliable.
- Always have a good attitude.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Dec 30 at 2020 9:15 AM

2020-12-30T09:15:30-05:00

Just be the best you can be in your specialty field or change it if you are following and always, always strive to obtain the highest scores on skills tests. Attitude, devotion, and vision for the future will get you ahead. You are already ahead in rank because of your previous experience.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2020 12:52 PM

2020-12-30T12:52:56-05:00

SPC,
You're selling yourself short. Being an older enlistee is not a bad thing. Just might be harder on your body physically. Do your job efficiently and better than your peers. Lead the way, volunteer to take on projects and details. Keep your PT up and do your best to maximize your score, being on active duty and being an engineer, this is just as important as being the best at your job. Stay out of trouble. Maximize military schooling, professional development courses, civilian schooling if you haven't already. There's no reason why you shouldn't be able to make Sergeant within the next 18 to 26 months, and why you shouldn't be competitive for Staff Sergeant within the next four years. Your age should be an influential factor in maintaining self discipline to seek out the academic opportunities that will give you more points while also training hard physically to look better than those younger SGTs.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2021 6:24 PM

2021-02-11T18:24:53-05:00

Go Warrant, change job.