How long from sgt to ssg

They often are promoted to the E-4 pay grade due to enlisting. Those enlisting with a four-year college degree or who have certain specialized civilian skills or training can enter BCT as a dpecialist. Along with the rank of sergeant, the corporal is the only rank that never has disappeared from the NCO Corps.

The rank of corporal always has been placed at the base of the NCO ranks. For the most part, corporals have served as the smallest unit leaders in the Army: principally, leaders of teams. Like the grade of sergeant, corporals are responsible for individual training, personal appearance and cleanliness of their soldiers.

Moving up the Army ranks: Normally, unit commanders may advance PFCs to corporal once they have met the following qualifications:. Sergeants SGT operate in an environment where the sparks fly -- where the axe meets the stone.

Although not the lowest level of rank where command is exercised, this level is the first at which enlisted soldiers are referred to as sergeant, and of all the grades of the NCO, this one, very possibly, has the greatest impact on the lower ranking-soldiers. Privates, who are the basic manpower strength and grade of the Army, generally have sergeants as their first NCO leader. It is the grade sergeant that the privates will look to for example.

Like the next grade, the staff sergeant, the sergeant is responsible for the individual training, personal appearance and the cleanliness of their soldiers. The authority of the sergeant is equal to that of any other grade or rank of the NCO. Professionally competent leaders inherently command respect for their authority, and the sergeant must be unquestionably competent in order to carry out the mission correctly, accomplish each task and care for assigned soldiers.

The rank of sergeant is not a position for learning how to become a leader; no apprenticeship here. While certainly the new sergeant will be developing new skills, strengthening old ones and generally getting better, he is a sergeant and is therefore no less a professional than those grades of rank to follow. Moving up the Army ranks: Unlike the promotion processes for privates, specialists and corporals, promotions to sergeant SGT and staff sergeant SSG is based on an Army-wide competition.

The competition is based on a point system that grants points for firing range scores, performance evaluations, physical fitness, education level, awards and promotion board ranking. The staff sergeant rank closely parallels that of the sergeant in duties and responsibilities. In fact, the basic duties and responsibility of all the NCO ranks never change, but there are significant differences between this step in the NCO structure and the preceding one.

The major difference between the staff sergeant and the sergeant is not, as often mistakenly believed, authority but rather sphere of influence. The staff sergeant is in daily contact with large numbers of soldiers and generally has more equipment and other property to maintain. The SSG often has one or more sergeants who work under their direct leadership. The SSG is responsible for the continued successful development of sergeants as well as the soldiers in their section, squad or team.

Moving up the Army ranks: SSG candidates must meet the following basic eligibility criteria to compete:. Although the Army does not make the official distinction in the rank structure, enlisted ranks of sergeant first class and above E-7 to E-9 generally are referred to as Senior NCOs, and they carry increasing levels of responsibility and demand greater levels of respect and deference.

Although there are only three pay grades, the SNCO ranks actually cover six separate ranks or designations -- sergeant first class platoon sergeant , master sergeant, first sergeant, sergeant major, command sergeant major and sergeant major of the Army.

He lives in Durham NC with his awesome wife and two wonderful dogs. You can find him online at frasersherman. By Fraser Sherman Updated June 29, Promotion Eligibility for U.

At least a high school diploma or completion of GED tests. Completion of a leadership course. Any necessary coursework must be completed before promotion. References U. The time-in-service requirement for attaining eligibility for promotion to sergeant SGT is 36 months Active Federal Service for the primary zone and 18 months for the secondary zone.

Commanders can select highly qualified enlisted personnel for early promotion consideration. This is known as "Secondary Zone" Promotion. Soldiers in the secondary zone may be boarded with 16 months time-in-service and four months time-in-grade as of the first day of the board month. The time-in-service requirement for attaining eligibility for promotion to staff sergeant SSG is 84 months Active Federal Service for the primary zone and 48 months for the secondary zone. The time-in-grade requirement for attaining eligibility for promotion to SSG is 10 months as an SGT, waiverable to five months for those recommended in the secondary zone.

Soldiers in the secondary zone may be boarded with 46 months time-in-service and five months time-in-grade as of the first day of the board month.

The minimum promotion point score for attaining recommended list status for promotion to SGT is The minimum score for attaining recommended list status for promotion to SSG is Soldiers regain eligibility when declared fit by the secretary of the Army, or when approved for continuation under the provisions of Chapter 6, AR Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement or Separation.

Army Physical Fitness Test — Soldier must have a current passing score on the APFT on the promotion effective date, not the date the soldier met the cutoff score. Disciplinary Action — Soldiers are not eligible for promotion recommendation if they are flagged under the provisions of AR Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions.

February Promotions. Time Requirements for Staff Sergeant Recommendation:. Time Requirements for Sergeant Recommendation:. Additional promotions to sergeant and staff sergeant would have been authorized for February if additional soldiers in shortage specialties, called STAR MOS, were boarded and on the E5 and E6 lists. Criteria for Promotion Pin-On:. Military Occupational Specialty — Soldiers must be promoted in their career progression MOS, and be fully qualified in the specialty to include all schooling requirements.