How long to get promoted from an E-3 to an E-5 in the Army or Marines?

Question

How long to get promoted from an E-3 to an E-5? Would it make any difference if you came out of basic as an E-3?

Answer 1

If you leave Army basic as an E-3, you can expect to make E-4 somewhere between 12 months (superstar) and 24 months (normal).  From E-4, you can expect to make E-5 in 18 months (superstar) to 36 months (normal).

So if you are a super squared away Audie Murphy reincarnation, expect to be an E-5 in about 2.5 years.  If you are just a normal Joe with normal issues, expect something like 4+ years.

Your MOS will matter a great deal.  The numbers above are for an MOS with a 450 promotion points, like 11M or 11B.  Other MOSes might be so locked up that you could spend 8 years waiting for the points to drop.

Answer 2

it depends on what your mos is, and if there are promotion opportunities. there is a set number of e-5, and you cant be promoted if that number never changes.

If you are in a mos where the number of reinlistments is terrible (0300 for example), then it could be around a year.

it will make no difference if you got out of basic as an e3

Answer 3

It is not automatic. You have to prove you can handle added responsibility, have more training behind you, and often be recommended to the rank.In war, some of those rules change, and you may get promoted faster through attrition of the higher ranks.I don't think you get an E3 rating out of boot camp.Maybe pfc, but Lance Corporal, you would have to be some kind of hero.

Answer 4

What Andy said. Depends on the MOS and the needs of the service at that time..........

Answer 5

It all depends on what your MOS is and how good you are at your job.

It took me 2 1/2 years to make E-3 then just four months to make E-4 and I could have made E-5 in a little less than a year if I would have re-enlisted, but I wanted out.

I never heard of anybody getting out of basic as an E-3, maybe that's common in the Army.

Answer 6

My history

Enlisted as an E-2

E-3 1 yr Time in service

E-4 2 yrs TIS

E-5 3 yrs, 8 mos TIS

E-6 5 yrs, 3 mos TIS

E-7 8 yrs, 3 mos TIS

Faster than normal, but not freakishly so, especially in my career field in the Army.