Time restrictions eased for E-6 promotions

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Recon promotions up fivefold in 4 years
Leathernecks move up after barely a year in grade.


Time restrictions eased for E-6 promotions
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jun 2, 2008 6:31:23 EDT

A few years ago, a recon Marine needed four years as a sergeant before he’d be considered for that first rocker.

This year, recon Marines are headed before the staff sergeant selection board with barely four years in the Corps — and not much more than a year in grade.

The Corps unveiled this year’s zones and allocations for the staff sergeant selection board that convenes July 15, offering the latest illustration of how two wars, high operational tempo and a push to grow the Corps’ end strength are creating opportunities for many Marines.

For many military occupational specialties, the staff sergeant selection board will look at Marines with less time in grade than at any time since at least 2002, according to a Marine Corps Times analysis of the selection boards from 2002 through 2008.

In some cases, demand has spiked. Recon, for example, is taking 122 new staff sergeants this year, a fivefold increase from the 22 recon promotions the staff sergeant board doled out in 2004.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/06/marine_staffsgt_060208w/