How do officers promotions work

Question

I was just reading through an online biography of Gen Omar Bradley and was a bit confused over his progression through the ranks.

Here is what I found:

- BGen (Temporary), Regular Army: February 24, 1941

- MGen, Army of the United States: February 18, 1942

- Lt Gen, Army of the United States: June 9, 1943

- Promoted to permanent rank of Colonel in the Regular Army: November 13, 1943

- General, Army of the United States: March 29, 1945

- Appointed a General in the Regular Army: January 31, 1949

- General of the Army: September 22, 1950

How can someone in the US military be promoted to the rank of Lt Gen one year and the next year be promoted to Colonel in the regular army? I've seen it listed that way a couple of places so I don't think it's a misprint. I mean, to go from a 3 Star to a Colonel to a 4 Star then 5 Star General? It doesn't make sense...to me at least.

Wassup wit dat?

Answer 1

1 word demotion

Answer 2

If they point out regular army, it sounds like a switch of army components.  

Also, accelerated promotions are very common, at least they were very common in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Officer promotions generally work on a time in service promotion schedule.  O1 to O3 (O3 by 4 years) are very automatic in all services.  Field grade promotions (O4 and above) are much more competitive.  That said, the better your evaluations are, the better chance you'll see promotions quicker than your peers.

Battlefield promotions were all the rage in WWII and Vietnam.  It was common to go from SGT to MSG in a couple of months.  They also laterally promoted senior enlisted to officer ranks (MSG-Lieutenant) very frequently to fill slots lost relatively quickly.

Promotions back in the day were very easy to make happen.  Likewise, demotions were just as easy.  In todays military, the structure we have in place is nothing like it used to be.  This makes our current promotion system work in favor of the most deserving rather than being in the wrong place, wrong time :)

Answer 3

The regular army is the peacetime army for the USA. The Army of the United States(AUS) is used as a term for the wartime army. The term was used during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. During WWII, officers could attain rank very rapidly. The ranks for the regular army and AUS were different. Your rank in the AUS was just used to fill the position needed. It was called a "theater" rank because it was only used for the lets say European theater.

You could be lets say a Major in the Regular Army and that is your real rank but during times of War, you can be promoted to Colonel and maybe even BGen. But that rank isnt permanent.

Answer 4

Hmm... Dont they usually replace the next ranking person? So maybe the 4 and 5 star retired and he was the only one able to fill it?? I dunno, just a guess =)

Answer 5

Wartime promotions are not permanent.  If they need you to be a higher rank they will give it to you in times of need.  Once you are no longer needed (i.e. the war is over or your tour is over), then you are given your original rank.