Posted on Apr 10, 2014
What rank should you come into the military with?
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I know when I was thinking of enlisting they were talking about how I can go in as a PFC because I am an Eagle Scout and if my buddy signed up with me he would get a rank. Then again in college I could have gotten some rank due to college. Do you feel that you should have to earn the rank after you are in or do you think you can earn rank before you sign up?
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Enlisted
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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<p>I do not believe in the system of rank being earned prior to you entering the Army. I will explain. I do not believe anyone should enter above the rank of PV1 and that includes officers and warrants also. I believe everyone should start out as that Private then work their way up.</p><p> </p><p>Scenario 1: Soldier has a BA degree and wants to be an officer, they enlist, complete basic, AIT and then finish 4 years of active service then they can apply to be a Warrant or Commissioned Officer (yes I know Warrants are commissioned also). </p><p> </p><p>I was a scout (not Eagle Scout only made it to Life Scout), I had JROTC I requested none of that be listed in order to attain rank. No rank for getting someone else to join.</p><p> </p><p>Everyone should start at the bottom and work their way up and I would include the West Point and other schools like them.</p>
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SFC (Join to see)
I have had Soldiers who were PVTs and PV2s that were ten to fifteen years older than I was when I was a CPL and newly promoted SGT. One PV2 had a 18 year break in service. I think it's fair that everyone starts out on the same level so as to receive the same or close to the same experiences. Why do we allow a brand new BA grad to come in as a SPC and can, in less than a year be boarded for promotion to SGT. Why do we take from those Soldiers who as PVTs or PV2s deploy straight out of basic, make them wait until their 18 month (if a waiver is available for promotion to E4) and give SPC straight out to new Soldiers?
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SSgt Michael Hacker
I've long believed that officers should be required to have served at least one term as enlisted in order to really understand how the enlisted/NCO corps works. I wouldn't think it unreasonable to allow for exceptions for fields like medical, legal, engineering, etc., of course. But anything related to combat command, I think, should've spent time in the trenches (STS).
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SGT (Join to see)
I see people that come in as Specialists because of degrees and are stuck because they have no experience. I hate to see people who are pushed through the ranks only to be clueless when it comes to leading soldiers, because they have little or no experience in life themselves. I was in my mid 30's when I came into the Army and had team leaders that were 10-15 years younger than me trying to give me advice on how to live my life. I respected them for the fact that they were over me because of rank, but when it came to advice on anything other than Army matters I had to remind them that I had been there and done that long before most of them were even out of school. I am glad started from the bottom and worked my way up, because if I had to work to get to where I am today.
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PO3 David Davis
I am not sure I agree with the officer stance. May 12 months as an enlisted 4 years is a bit long. Some go to Mitary academies . It may get very complicated and resentful between the Academy officers and the officers that would go through basic enlisted boot camp.
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Yes, if that experience is military related. i.e. JROTC, ROTC, military high school grad, military university / service academy grad.
Anything else no. Just because you have a civilian diploma does not make you an instant leader. In my opinion you should be paid for your experience (acquired civilian skills) and/or degree. But, you do need to spend some time in the trenches. Give "professional pay" to the doctors, chaplains, and veterinarians but make them come in as a 2LT and earn the CPT rank.
Just becasue you have doctorate you are now a more seasoned/professional leader than a 2LT with BS?
Just beacuse you have an acquired civilian skill you are now a more seasoned/professional leader than the PVT you just completed BCT with?
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I have no issues with the entry ranks. My field is small (musician) and everyone comes in as a SPC. Then again, everyone has to audition to get in. I'm a flute player. The Army of 500,000+ Soldiers right now only has 58 flute players. You can be sure if someone passes that audition, they're good enough to be here.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) I do have a problem with people coming in with rank, not so much privates, but more with Specialist. The Specialist is supposed to be a subject matter expert at his/her chosen field. They are supposed to be the middle ground between the privates and the NCO's, to help the younger guys become better Soldiers. When I got pinned with my shield, my Team Leader at the time asked me a question that has always stuck with me: "do you think you are good enough at your job to deserve that rank?".
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