Can some of our Army brothers and sisters explain the enlisted rank structure? For instance, what is a SPC(P)? Sergeant...?

Thanks, SFC Davis. We have a similar situation with regard to E-9 and classifications, but never knew that you folks has something like that with E-8s.

CSM Charles Hayden - SOPA: Senior Officer Present Afloat. (Can also be used in context as Senior Officer Present Ashore)

CDR (Join to see) Got it, thanks. Like the Army's 'TC' being 'tank cdr' or 'truck commander' with responsibilities and a choice of seats in the vehicle.

SGT Richard H. - that's the first time I've ever heard of that done. Those are ancient! While I was in they NEVER promoted anyone w/o the Board. I think that was mainly because the board points were the only way you were going to reach cutoff points.

PO1 Andrew Gardiner - In the Marine Corps (and in the other services too, I expect)there is an annual publication known as the Lineal List--referred to as the "Blue Book" because of its cover. It lists the lineal precedence of every officer in the service. For instance, there may be 30 Majors with a date of rank of 1 August, but within that group of 30, they each have a precedence number. So the Major that is number 921 with a date of rank of 1 August is senior to number 922 with the same date of rank. In the Marine Corps, it all starts with your class rank in the Basic School. Annual Promotion Zones are defined as, e.g., "All Majors numbered 326 through 824." Numbers 1-325 are "above the zone and have failed of selection (been passed over at least once.) Numbers 825 and below will not normally be considered for promotion until the next year, although the Secretary of the Navy usually specifies a lower number, e.g. 825-900, that may be looked at. A water-walker in that "below the zone" group, if selected, jumps over all the rest of his peers who had been senior to him, but they are not considered to have failed of selection. That is all that the numbers mean, but when two senior officers get into a pissing contest, I have heard the senior tell the junior (perhaps by only 5 or 6 numbers) to "Go look at the Blue Book and then get back to me."

There is usually only one promotion board for a particular grade each year, so it is selecting the number of officers of a particular rank that can be promoted over the course of the next year. There are laws limiting the number of officers of a particular rank who can be on active duty at any given time,so, once selected, you have to wait until all the people in front of you have been promoted. The Colonel makes BG (going from Col number 12 to BGen number 45), so now a LtCol on the COL list can be promoted, which opens a spot for a Maj to go to LtCol, and so forth. There may also be further similar limitations on branches or staff corps in the Army, Navy and Air Force--I'm not sure. All Officers of Marines are line officers (with some few exceptions, e.g., LDOs or Warrant Officers), so we don't have to put up with that stuff. Is it taken seriously? Yes and no. When it comes to serious stuff, it is and should be taken seriously. Between folks who have been close in rank all their careers, in purely unofficial settings, it depends on the desire of the senior.

As far as frocking goes, it is like this. If an officer is filling a billet that calls for an officer of the next higher rank , once he is selected, his CG may request that the officer be frocked--allowed to wear the rank insignia and use the title of senior rank. He is still carried on the rolls in his permanent grade and is paid in that grade. If some of his peers who were also selected happen to be in billets requiring only their current rank, they have to wait to actually make their number. Let's say that 120 officers were selected to be promoted to Captain, USMC. Lieutenant number 88 is filling a Captain's billet and is frocked. Lieutenant number 44 is in a lieutenant's billet, so he has to wait. In the first month, 12 officers are promoted. Number 44 is still a lieutenant, as is number 88, but 88 is walking around sporting Captain's bars and being called Skipper. The next month 13 through 45 are promoted. Number 44 is still senior to 88, but now only the Blue Book can prove it for sure. That is why a shipmate who has been frocked had better be very gentle with a classmate who is senior, because when the senior makes his number, life can suddenly get very interesting for all concerned if the frocked officer has been feeling his oats with his peers.

LtCol Mac McCarty - Thanks I was reaching my limits.

LtCol Mac McCarty -
Hi Sir, I was there from 2004-2006 (back and forth). I was in the J2, holed up doing sneaky peaky shift work ISO "war fighter" mission. I am now across the street from them at SOCOM (aka, "HAPPYCOM"). :)

Have him say hello if he is ever in Tampastan. :)

CMSgt (Join to see) - Will do, Chief Master Sergeant. Tampastan. Been laughing for the last 10 minutes.