Rank is a little tougher to come by now, than way back when I was in. I kept getting promoted because I had a pulse and didn't smoke dope.
Know what you mean. I was a 17 month E-6, acting E-7 in RVN, then OCS, then a 24 month (post commissioning) 0-3!
of course, I had more money in my pocket when I was a $93 a month E-1!