I was reading on about.com about how Marine Corps ranks are awarded.
Well, it was mentioned in the article that certain things could get you up to an E-2 instantly upon graduation from Boot. However, the article did not go into much detail regarding what types of things allow for this. Is there anywhere to find these things that lead to that first promotion, or can someone enlighten me?

Richard

When i enlisted (2005)you qualified for contract PFC if you had a certain amount of college credits, were in ROTC or an Eagle Scout program, or reffered someone to your Recruiter who enlisted into the Marine Corps. I'm not too sure if it has changed at all since then though.

Alright, thank you Marine. I've given my recruiter two guys and am very close to my Eagle, so I should probably be able to get it then.

Richard

When I was in, you could receive a meritorious promotion upon graduation for achieving or exceeding certain standards in boot -- for example: honor graduates, highest PFT'ers, etc...

I received one for graduating in the top 10% of my series (both platoons). I went to bootcamp in 1992 so my info may or may not be the norm anymore. Take it FWIW!

quote:

Originally posted by GracieLou:
When I was in, you could receive a meritorious promotion upon graduation for achieving or exceeding certain standards in boot -- for example: honor graduates, highest PFT'ers, etc...

I received one for graduating in the top 10% of my series (both platoons). I went to bootcamp in 1992 so my info may or may not be the norm anymore. Take it FWIW!

Would that include highest marksmanship scores, or things for being a leader in your group?

quote:

Originally posted by H3S_Killjoy:

Would that include highest marksmanship scores, or things for being a leader in your group?

That would be the 10% that Gracie is talking about. Usually the highest PFTer and the high shooter end up being in the top 10% anyway. Sometimes not. If not, they don't usually get meritoriously promoted just b/c they had the highest rifle score or the highest PFT, but it does happen.

When I was there the guides, most squad leaders, and some scribes. The Drill Instructors look for leaders, you generally need a billet to be promoted while in boot camp.

quote:

Originally posted by frmr8511:

quote:

Originally posted by H3S_Killjoy:

Would that include highest marksmanship scores, or things for being a leader in your group?

That would be the 10% that Gracie is talking about. Usually the highest PFTer and the high shooter end up being in the top 10% anyway. Sometimes not. If not, they don't usually get meritoriously promoted just b/c they had the highest rifle score or the highest PFT, but it does happen.

Thanks for clearing this up for me Marines.

fmr8511,
Thank you for adding your comments about the 10%'ers. I wasn't all that clear in my reply!

Killjoy,
I do remember that all of us who were promoted had also been in a specific billet (mentioned by Bachus53) at one time or another during bootcamp. I was a squadleader -- twice...