Is Date of Rank outdated?

Sometimes - you just have to reach down into your lunchbox and pull out that "can o' whoopass".

That May well have ended the argument !

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - Actually yes, it did.

Capt (Join to see) - Usually I found date of rank determined who was in charge but I've experience a few exceptions when i was put in charge over some others more than once as they had more confidence in Me than those individuals even though they had the time in grade advantage. That wasn't My decision though but made from those Senior to Me. I've even had one case I outranked an individual and was placed in charge over him.

Date of Rank is important in protocol situations. It is also important when it comes to making assignments within a group situation such in an office environment. There are also those who get up set when one person is put in charge over another. Date of Rank is one way of using fairness.

You pretty well have it SSG D. Wright Downs. I have been in a number of assignments where I held positions superior to others of senior rank, and have had assignments the were the opposite. (Didn't much like the second type). Lots of factors, but there are times that rank has to take a back seat.

I agree. I twice had to perform duties 3 ranks up for extended periods. On the second time, when the person of the rank came in to fill the slot, he was not capable of doing the job. Since it was in a major Command, I continued to doing his work and mine. He did not fall in step and pick it up. Finially, when a new officer came in and bragged he had a SGM, I stopped doing double duty, and let him carry the responsibility of his senior enlisted person. I found there were places where the new officer needed assistance, too. He was very abrupt when I gently made suggestions since it was his first time in the job. My expertise was not going to be there forever and when it was being ignored, I decided it was time to take leave I had accrued. I had earned an MSM and got Wegewood. Prior to that I had worked were out standing people in that command.

You won't see any Marines making SSgt at 4 years TIS, DOR and TIS is always going to be the determining factors for the SNCO promotion zones. Just took a look at the last SSGT Promotion results; TIS ranged from 2007-2011 (9 to 5 years) and TIG ranged from 2011 to 2014 (4 to 2 years). Many MOS were closed to promotions so those will have many senior Sgts waiting. This is the main promotion zone only, the above zone runs much higher in TIS/TIG. Not really a valid question for military folks to even ponder. Don't matter to civilians at all. Semper Fi.