[org.whodat]

13 years and only an E5 is not real high on the intelligent chart.

[beyond the sea]

....... sometimes promotion has little to do with intelligence

[fnord]

13 years and only an E5 is not real high on the intelligent chart.

In my experience:

• the branch with the quickest promotions is the Army, followed by the Marines, the Navy, with the Air Force being the slowest.
• You have to be promotable, i.e. going to required schools, passing required tests, etc.
• You have to want to be promoted. not everybody wants to be a senior NCO, some are comfortable at their rank and responsibility level.
• There have to be promotion vacancies. With reenlistment rates at record highs, it is very tough nowadays in all the branches. If few E8s get out, only the very top E7s can get promoted, which leads to fewer opportunities for E6s, so on down the line.

I knew some career E6s from the AF, so a 13 year E5 isn't that unusual. haven't had much dealings with AF types lately, so maybe things have changed.

all that said, she looks in outstanding shape, but should be separated for conduct detrimental to good order and discipline. she put her wants and desires ahead of the Air Force, and they won't like that.