Enlisting and starting higher than E1?
Plenty of ways. Be part of a JROTC program, scouting (Boy Scouts of Girl Scouts, becoming an Eagle Scout started me out as an E-3), bringing in other applicants to join, college credits. Talk to your recruiter and they'll be happy to share with you.
How do you become E-8 or E-9 in the US Army? What can you do to help yourself move up?
Outwork,outsmart everyone around you and always show respect to your higher ups and to your lower ranks,be an all around soldier. Have the Army set an example by you.
How long would it take to make E-7 or higher in the Air Force?
Only the Army offers E-4 to BS/BA holders, so you would enter the Air Force as an E-3. Even with that, you would be making E-4 and above around the same time as everyone else in the Air Force. >>36 months active duty, with 20 months as an E-3, or 28 months as an E-3, whichever comes first Actually, the ONLY benefit for going in at a higher rank is the extra money - you WON'T be getting promoted significantly earlier than anyone else. Actually, if John Doe enlists as an E-1 and works his way up to E-3 - and makes E-3 on the day you show up out of Tech School as an E-3, he'll actually have more credibility AND will have around 18 months of experience and general Air Force knowledge that you won't have. It takes an average of 16.9 years to make E-7. This includes the rare people that make it in 8-10 years. It takes an average of 22.1 years to make E-9 - and most never see that rank. E-8 and E-9 ranks are controlled by federal law at 2% and 1%, respectively, of the ENTIRE enlisted workforce. With about 260,000 enlisted people, total, that means that there are only 5200 E-8's and 2600 E-9's. The odds of making Senior Master Sergeant are very slim - and the odds of making Chief are almost non-existent. Yes, some do it - but it is extremely rare. So, if your fantasy comes true and you end up making E-9, odds are that you'll make it 22 years after you enlist - and the ONLY benefit will be 30 months of making a couple hundred dollars more a month way back when you came in as an E-3. Brian Raini
Is an O-1 Second Lieutenant a higher rank than E-9 Chief Master Sargent?
Yes. Officers outrank Enlisted...period. But it would be a foolish 2nd Lt to pull rank on a E9. I'd trust the E9's judgement over the O1
In the military can a E8 or E9 order an O1?
The guys below have it. The senior NCOs are technically outranked by a noob officer, but in reality, he'd better listen to what they have to say. O1s don't really give that many orders since they don't know ****. But if one was put in charge of a platoon and decided to go against the advice of the E7 below him, the E7 had better obey it or have a damn good reason for neglecting to do so. @msjvb - That is a good point, classes are different. I recently taught a CLS class and found myself with a 2lt as a student. I used lots of phrases like "sir, if I can suggest doing it this way..." and "would you like to go next, sir?" For his part he responded quickly and enthusiastically and did very well in the class.
If I join the US army straight out of high school, how high in rank can I go up?
Brian's answer is partially correct and partially incorrect. I will elaborate. As I type this an Army warrant officer (CW3) and an Army NCO (E-7) are sitting next to me. I, myself, was an Army Captain (O-3) and now work with NCOs and Officers in a training environment. Theoretically you can achieve E-10, CW3, or O-5 during a normal career. Your question does not state you will start college part-time while in the military. Many people do this and you certainly may as well. Many senior enlisted have masters degrees and some have PhDs, albeit a tiny percentage. You need a degree to become a commissioned officer. Then you can reasonable make Lieutenant Colonel during a 20-25 year career, assuming you commission within your first 5-6 years after graduating high school. The army has a ton of warrant officers. Some of them are pilots but most aren't. The ones in my physical vicinity are intelligence warrants. You do not technically need a degree. However, warrant officer selection is competitive. A degree helps set you apart from your peers. You can reasonably expect to make CW3 assuming you are selected for warrant officer after 5-7 years enlisted in the Army, during a 20 year career. Selection for the attainable enlisted ranks of E-8 and E-9 are also highly competitive. Though a degree is not required, it is recommended to help set yourself apart from your peers. As I look around the room, both warrants and all 4 NCOs are working part-time on either bachelors or masters degrees, and I am working on a doctorate. Lastly, NCOs do not get promoted to a new rank and retire two months later at that rank as Brian stated. Many NCOs choose to decline promotion because it typically adds a two year service obligation (ADSO). This may also be why many NCOs are offered key promotions around their 20 year mark when they would normally retire. You must also have a requisite amount of time in grade to retire at that grade. A few months would not qualify.