Kansas City Business Daily

How are promotions given and what is the process of receiving a promotion in the Army, Marines, Air force?

How long do normal promotions take, what are the requirements for receiving rank promotions once you are a commisioned officer in any branch of the military?

Public Comments

1. e1-e4 are pretty much automatic as long as you pass pt tests. e-5 and up you go to a promotion board once you have enough promotion points.
2. Once you have completed the requisite time in rank, and your CO deems you fit, (usually a formality), your name is submitted to the next board( if you are an O-1, you name goes to the O-2 board, O-2 to O-3 and so on), they will evaluate you and your achievements, as well as your former billets, your perform evals, and your CV, and they will vote as to whether they think you are qualified, these decisions are usually made by people 3 to 4 grades ahead of you. Once they have made decision, the names are submitted to Congress for final approval, however the list of eligible promotees will be revealed before that, and once Congress votes, assuming that there is an available slot for you, you are frocked, and then promoted.
3. Go to http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blarmyofficerpromote.htm?p=1