How long does it take to rank up in the Army

Curious about how long it takes to rank up in the U.S. Army? In this video, I break down the timeline and requirements for advancing through the ranks, from Private (E1) to Sergeant (E5). Whether you're considering enlisting or are already in the Army, understanding the promotion process is crucial for planning your military career.

What You'll Learn:

E1 to E2: How long it typically takes to move from Private to Private Second Class.
E2 to E3: The average time and requirements for advancing to Private First Class.
E3 to E4: Steps and timeline to become a Specialist or Corporal.
E4 to E5: What you need to know about becoming a Sergeant, including time-in-service and more.

By the end of this video, you'll have a clear understanding of the timeframes and criteria for each rank, helping you set realistic goals for your Army career. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance, this guide provides the essential information you need.

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Making it to Sergeant as fast as you can in the US Army

Why I was not promoted to E6 before I left the Army
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**DISCLAIMER:
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I make videos on topics I have direct experience with as well as indirect experience with to help save some people the time to research the topic on their own. Be aware mistakes can be made as well as changes can be made by the Army. It’s best to use my content as a reference, but if needed you should always talk with an Army recruiter for more information on a topic. The content I create is my own opinion and experiences. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. I also do not represent the DOD and all content in my videos are my opinions.

[hectorjulio]

I went from E1 to E4 in about 20 months top, joined in for a 3 years contract, honorable discharge, did 2 tours both Afghanistan and Iraq (2001-03)proud to be a vet. God blessed you all.

[jthavorn]

From what I can tell, if you’re a good solider and staying out of trouble, you’ll usually get a waiver to advance to the junior enlisted levels. I made it to specialist within 15 months in the army but the thing to focus on is not ranking up faster than you’re ready for.

[havenpersonalcare]

Enlisted as an E1; retired as an O4 after 25 years of service; good times!

[Xtremeproducts]

I joined the army as an E4 already had my bachelors degree. 1 term contract now in the reserves and just got promoted to E5.

[sycopath]

After Basic Training, and AIT training, I was promoted from E-1 to E-2 with five months time in service. Eleven days later the same month I was promoted to E-3 Private 1st Class. My Grandfather passed away in December so I went home on leave to attend the funeral. When I returned 10 days later, and had been the Army now for one year. I was then promoted to E-4, Specialist 4, with a total of one year in service. In six months of time I had been promoted three ranks. I was later promoted to E-5 Sergeant with another 2 1/2 years later.

[heliocentrist]

great to see you still making videos. i was watching your stuff back when i was 10/11 and 12 and now i ship for basic next month.

[madanimal]

I made e-5 in 3 almost exactly, did one rotation in Poland and Germany and I decided to sign another 4 year for Germany!

[flatcapcaferacer]

Times I guess have changed. I was in the Army from October 1974 to October 1977. Started as E1, got E3 as a distinguished graduate out AIT. E-4 (Spec 4) in 12 months and later changed to Corporal at 14 months without NCO Academy. One night my platoon sergeant came up to my room and said I had a promotion board for sergeant the next day.

I protested since I didn't have a chance to study. He explained they only had a promotion board once a year and they already had it earlier in the year. He said I was the only one meeting the board and they wanted to move me up.

Sure enough I met the board and they told me they were sending me to the NCO Academy in Bad Toltz Germany and as long as I graduated I would become a sergeant E-5 and that was around 18 months . I got the stripes. The whole process was confusing and definitely not usual from what I saw.

We are having a 50th reunion this November and I'll finally ask some folks there what the hell they were thinking.

[oscah_whisky]

I know some E4s with gray hair. They're honestly the most amazing people.😅😅😅

[drifttboy]

My grandpa retired as a CSM. he went from enlisting E1-E2 in Korea, he made SGM before 62 or 63 I've always wondered how he managed to rank so fast. He was an incredible man. I miss him every day. He showed me as my great grandpa what a man should be

[markedelheit]

As a draftee in 1970, I made Spec 5 in 18 months. My goal was to make E5 because the Army would then ship my belongings home at the Governments expense.

[rongendron]

When I was in the Army National Guard in 1964, it only took 4 months to reach E-2! Since I had 4 mos. previous
reserve time in, when I started Basic Training as an E-2 & I received $7.00 a month more than the other recruits,
who got $78.00 a mo.! It wasn't much, but I must admit that the Army was fair about it! I made PFC in a year &
Spec 4 in 30 mos., but didn't go any higher! Sure wish that I had made E-5, at least!

[mjm]

I was quite fortunate, I made E-2 at 4 months. Two months after that I made E-3, two months after that I made E-4 and one year after that I made E-5. I'm sure it helped that it was "during war time" and that I was in combat. Seeing all the things the army is doing today, I certainly wouldn't make it in today's army. Thank you to all that are doing it today.

[CarlAyers-xh]

Made PFC in 3 months after joining. Offered buck sergeant, at 18 months at, 18yrs old.
Generals driver. Came in with skills. Could build a complete house from ground up. Had Secret clearance. Personnel records, HHC 1CAV.
Age.67. Good luck.

[gregorysarwinski]

I joined in November of 71. Left basic as an E1. Two weeks later in Ft. Hauchuca, I was promoted to E2. At the school, I graduated number 1, it meant that I automatically got. Spec 4. So I got 3 ranks in two months. I remained a Spec 4 for 28 months and then was to Spec 5. I left active duty at that rank. However the army cancelled specialist ranking above Spec 4 and my final rank after three years of inactive service was sgt.

[bigc]

As mentioned, if the MOS is in high demand, you can start at a lot higher rank and get promoted faster than other MOS. In the early 80's was a good time to join up as there was a general, large need for soldiers in all MOS's. In my case, it was a combination of my ASVAB and then my DLAB scores that was the ticked. I think now its called a 35W (or 35 m or P) for that MOS. In any case, I went in as an E-4 for basic and then E-5 after completion. Then 36 months at DFLI and was promoted to E-6.

[bonkonomicon]

3 years to become a Corporal and still waiting for the points to allow me to become a Sergeant, been about 6 months but I know I will get there soon.

[michaelol]

I decided to join the Army after years of basically not knowing what I was doing with my life, so i'll be joining at 27 years old. I'm going in as E3 I hope it doesnt take me long to get to E4. I was told im going to be one of the oldest E3 because most people my age had the privilege of getting a bachelors allowing them to get E4.

[jamesr]

I joined active duty in 1978 as an E1and I reached E5 in 1980. I ETSed as an E5 in 1987 because the cutoff for 71D was 998. I joined the Army Reserves after ETSing and was promoted to E6 a month later. I changed my MOS to 96B, where I reached E7 then E8 by 1998. I was considering retirement in early 2002, but that was out on hold when I was activated for Operation Enduring Freedom. I returned after one year of active duty and I was promoted to E9 in 2006. I went into the Retired Reserves in 2008 and then retired in 2018.

[edmundgonzalez]

Being in a MOS that pretty much disappears will also put a crimp in your promotion schedule. In the early 80s I was a UH-1 mechanic. Moved up to E4 quickly. Got sent to a unit in Korea that just transitioned to the UH-60. Was not offered to OJT on the Blackhawk nor was I offered to work on the AH-1s, which are, mechanically, mostly a UH-1. But as a member of the E4 Mafia I was able to finagle my status to exempt from duty which kept me left alone but more importantly, inside during the Korean winters. While I'm proud to say I was in the 7th Cav, I kinda soured on the Army. Thanks for another great video! 🫡