[IYAS9YAS]

Up through Senior Airman (E-4) is pretty much automatic based on time and not screwing up. Doesn’t rely on having positions open to move up. That only impacts Staff Sergeant (E-5) and above. Thirty-plus years ago, it was mathematically impossible for me to make E-5 the first two times I sat for the test. Not enough open positions and too many of us testing for them. The third time I screwed up on my own and didn’t make it (no one to blame but myself). By the time it rolled around again, I’d already made the decision to not re-enlist, so I purposely didn’t test so as not to take a slot from someone else who was staying in.

[higgmeister]

Up through Senior Airman (E-4) is pretty much automatic based on time and not screwing up. Doesn’t rely on having positions open to move up. That only impacts Staff Sergeant (E-5) and above. Thirty-plus years ago, it was mathematically impossible for me to make E-5 the first two times I sat for the test. Not enough open positions and too many of us testing for them. The third time I screwed up on my own and didn’t make it (no one to blame but myself). By the time it rolled around again, I’d already made the decision to not re-enlist, so I purposely didn’t test so as not to take a slot from someone else who was staying in.

In 1975, I enlisted for the full six years, got A1C half way through Basic and sewed on Staff Sergeant in three years and nine months.   The two-winger pinger deal was the way to go.