What percentage of soldiers make E-8?

The percentage of soldiers who make E-8 (Master Sergeant/First Sergeant in the Army, Senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force) varies slightly by branch and year, but federal law limits E-8s to no more than 2.5% of the total enlisted force, with recent Army data showing around 3% of active component inventory at E-8 (11,312 E-8s out of ~365k total enlisted in late 2022), while Air Force promotion rates to E-8 (from E-7) often hover around 11-12% of eligible candidates in specific annual selection cycles, reflecting high competition for limited spots.

What percentage of soldiers make E8?

5. In other words, a service could choose to have 0.5 percent E-9s and 2.5 percent E-8s. Army: Sergeant Major • Marine Corps: Master Gunnery Sergeant • Navy: Master Chief Petty Officer • Air Force: Chief Master Sergeant • Coast Guard: Master Chief Petty Officer.

How hard is it to make E8?

It is extremely difficult. Most people do not even reach E-8 in 20 years. Retiring as an E-7 in 20 years would be considered a successful career. Not only do you have to be the top of the top but you also have to be in the right place at the right time. You could work your ass off for 30 but still never make it to E-9.

What is the rarest rank in the Army?

The rarest rank in the U.S. Army is arguably Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5), as it's the highest technical rank, held by less than 1% of warrant officers who are master-level experts, or ranks that only exist for a single person at a time, like the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), a singular position with immense responsibility, or historical/wartime ranks like General of the Armies (six-star), which is rarely bestowed. 

How long does it take to make an E8 in the Army?

Making E-8 (Master Sergeant/First Sergeant) in the Army typically takes 8 to 10+ years, requiring significant Time in Service (TIS), Time in Grade (TIG), completion of senior-level education like the Master Leader Course (MLC), and strong NCO Evaluation Reports (NCOERs) for selection by promotion boards, though exceptional soldiers with relevant education and focused career paths can sometimes reach it slightly faster, especially in reserves, but recent reforms have extended timelines. 

What soldiers do at each enlisted rank

What is the average salary for an E8?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $53,000 and as low as $21,000, the majority of E8 salaries currently range between $32,000 (25th percentile) to $40,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $49,500 annually across the United States.

Who is the youngest sergeant ever?

At the Battle of Shiloh, a bullet shattered his drum. So Johnny picked up a musket and fought. At just 11 years old, during the Battle of Chickamauga, he shot a Confederate officer point-blank. For his bravery, he was promoted to sergeant—becoming the youngest to ever hold that rank in U.S. Army history.

What is considered the worst Army base?

Worst PCS Destinations

• Fort Polk, La. Fort Polk — or Fort Puke,as it is known in some circles — is home to the Joint Readiness Training Center. ...
• Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. ...
• MCAS Yuma, Ariz. ...
• Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO)

Who is the only 7 star general?

8.0 Introduction. No person have ever been awarded or promoted to a seven-star rank, although some commentators might argue that General George Washington posthumously became a seven-star general in 1976 (see Part Seven).

Does an O-1 outrank an E-9?

Yes, formally, an O-1 (Second Lieutenant/Ensign) always outranks an E-9 (Master Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer/etc.), as all officers outrank all enlisted personnel, but in practice, the highly experienced E-9 holds significant informal authority and respect, and a smart O-1 relies on the E-9's expertise rather than strictly "barking orders," understanding the command structure and "soft power" of senior enlisted leaders. 

Is E8 a good rank?

Army Master Sergeant (MSG) E8 rank signifies a senior non-commissioned officer with extensive leadership experience and responsibility. As a key tactical leader, the MSG plays a vital role in training, mentoring, and managing soldiers at the company level and beyond.

What's the hardest job to get in the Army?

The "hardest" job in the Army is subjective, but often cited are roles demanding extreme physical/mental endurance like Special Forces (18 series), high-risk jobs like Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Combat Engineers (12B), and demanding technical roles like Signals Intercept Linguists (45P) or Nuclear Power School (Navy, but similar high-intel roles exist in Army), alongside the constant physical and mental strain on frontline Infantry (11B), all requiring intense training and high stakes. 

Do they give you $10,000 if you join the Army?

You could earn up to $10,000 just for reporting to Basic Training within 30 days of enlistment for certain in-demand jobs. This bonus can be combined with other enlistment bonuses to earn up to $50,000.

How long can an E8 stay in the Army?

An E-8 (Master Sergeant/First Sergeant) in the Army can generally stay until their Retention Control Point (RCP) (26 years) or potentially longer if promotable (30 years) or via indefinite reenlistment, though they must retire by age 60, allowing for up to 40 years of service if they start young and qualify for indefinite status, thanks to programs like the Career Status Program for senior NCOs. 

Is 77% unfit to serve?

Nationwide, 77% of youth between the ages of 17 and 24 cannot qualify for the military service.” Mission: Readiness Retired admirals and generals strengthening national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble.

Is it harder to be a Navy seal or marine?

Navy SEAL training is significantly harder and more selective than Marine Corps boot camp, with a much higher attrition rate, focusing on extreme physical and mental endurance through specialized, lengthy programs like BUD/S, compared to the Marine Corps' challenging but broader infantry-focused initial training. SEAL training is a specialized, year-long pipeline with a ~80% dropout rate, while Marine boot camp is shorter, though still considered very difficult, with a ~90%+ success rate, as SEALs must master advanced skills like diving and parachuting. 

Who was the best U.S. general ever?

There's no single "greatest," but George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, George S. Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Winfield Scott are consistently ranked among America's top generals for their transformative leadership, battlefield success, and impact on the nation's military history, from founding the Continental Army to commanding Allied forces in World War II.
 

Was Patton a 5 star general?

No, General George S. Patton Jr. was not a five-star general; he reached the rank of a four-star, or full, General, during World War II, with his promotion becoming effective in April 1945, while five-star generals like Dwight D. Eisenhower were given that rank for higher strategic commands, not just field command. The rank of General of the Army (five-star) was reserved for top commanders, and Patton's role as a field army commander, despite his success, didn't meet the criteria for the higher distinction. 

How much do generals get paid?

U.S. Army Generals' pay varies significantly by rank (O-7 to O-10) and experience, with base pay for a 4-star General (O-10) starting around $18,500 per month ($222,000/year) or more, while a 1-star Major General (O-8) starts lower but increases with service, plus housing allowances (BAH), subsistence (BAS), and other special pays, making total compensation much higher, potentially exceeding $200k-$300k+ annually. 

What is the nicest US Army base?

• Fort Myer. 4.5. (102) ...
• Nike Missile Site SF-88. 4.7. (96) ...
• Eversgerd's Civil War Fort. 4.9. (30) ...
• Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle. 4.2. (73) ...
• Fort Parker State Park. 4.2. (85) ...
• Fort Dobbs. 4.3. (100) Military Bases & Facilities. ...
• Naval Air Station Fallon. 4.4. (26) Military Bases & Facilities. ...
• Vandenberg Afb. 4.3. (12) Military Bases & Facilities.

What is the most feared US military unit?

There isn't one single "most feared" unit, but the US Navy SEALs (especially SEAL Team Six) and the US Army's Delta Force (1st SFOD-Delta) are consistently cited as the most formidable, feared, and elite special operations forces due to their secrecy, high-stakes missions, and unparalleled skill in counterterrorism, direct action, and special reconnaissance, with SEAL Team Six known for the bin Laden raid and Delta Force for complex operations like Saddam Hussein's capture. Other highly regarded units include the Army Rangers and the 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers).
 

Which military branch kills the least?

The U.S. Air Force and Space Force, followed by the Coast Guard, generally have the lowest death rates in the active U.S. military because their roles focus less on direct ground combat, emphasizing air/space superiority, support, and homeland security, though the specific rates vary by year and cause (combat vs. suicide). The Air Force often shows the fewest casualties in modern conflicts due to technology, while the Coast Guard's focus on domestic waters minimizes combat exposure. 

Why were soldiers given condoms in WWII?

Soldiers were given condoms in WWII primarily to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis and gonorrhea, which seriously threatened troop health and manpower, but they also used them creatively for other tasks like keeping sand and water out of gun barrels or waterproofing supplies. Militaries issued them as a public health measure, recognizing that abstinence was unrealistic and needing to maintain fighting strength, with the U.S. Army even providing "prophylaxis kits" to ensure use. 

Did any 17 year old fight in WWII?

Yes, 17-year-olds fought in World War II, both by officially enlisting with parental consent (in countries like the U.S.) and by lying about their age, while in Germany, teenagers from youth groups like the Hitler Youth were actively trained and forced into combat units in the war's final months. Many underage soldiers, like 12-year-old Calvin Graham in the U.S. Navy, served in various roles, while Germany used teens in desperate last stands, such as the Volkssturm. 

Was there a 6 year old soldier in WWII?

Despite his remarkably young age, the six year old Seryozha Aleshkov was recruited into the Soviet Red Army as a soldier by his adoptive father Commander Mikhail Vorobych, and Seryozha Aleshkov became the youngest known soldier, at just six years old.