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Not ordinarily, and not even all submarine rates. Nukes and other "Advanced Programs" typically come in as E-2's or E-3's (all nukes are E-3), and get "pushbutton" E-4 after completion of required schools. Typically, the average sailor makes E-4 in around 3 years, E-5 in about 5 years, and E-6 in 9 years.

Back in the old days ..... I entered E3, E4 after A school, E5 after Nuke school and E6 in 4 1/2.

Back in the old days ..... I entered E3, E4 after A school, E5 after Nuke school and E6 in 4 1/2.

Not too many of us made PO2 in the pipeline--they tightened up on that, and it was made worse by the fact everyone reenlisted for E-5 under STAR. Hell, when I made it they rated 18 ET2's. But, since everyone got as (at best) E-5, it make putting on E-6 that much easier. Right up to the point where they "combined" rates. I remember taking the CPO exam having had to study QM, RM, and coner ET stuff in addition to my material. Couple that with the fact 1--I was "early" and as such, no more than 10 percent of your CPO selectees could be early (under 11 years), and during the Klintoon years, the number of Chiefs they rated dropped like a rock, you can see why I read the writing on the wall and got out after 11 1/2.