My recollection is: By the time a new officer completes OCS, jump school, SF-ranger school, he will have time in grade and time in service, ready for automatic promotion to 1st Lt.
Approx.
My time was peak of Vietnam (but in Germany) , and you moved thru ranks quickly. I made Spec5 in 15 months.
A college friend of mine never saw combat, until he was a Captain, OCS, Jump, Ranger.
He stayed in until reaching 3 star general. Total combat arms. Vietnam, Grenada, Balkans, IraqI- (Desert Storm.
His next to last assignment was top command of all E urope combat arms, then his final assignment was Leavenworth, including prison, War college, et. The entire base commander.
Then to the golf links at St. George Utah, Tuscon, and Raytheon.
(skinny white golf team guy, dangerous street fighter, becomes Airborn Ranger) He took away my girlfriend, but i got a better one, a year later
Our mutual friend, died a few years laago. Note white guys like us grew up with SoCal Hispanics, and we learned to Street fight, to the degree we were left alone.
"Let's take a Trip Down Whittier Blvd." Like Cheech and Chong, American Graffiti, Beach Party cruising radio (or 45 player) blasting,surfboards and golf clubs out the back. Drinks, not Hugs, not drugs
He rolled his car after induction. I spun out a couple of times too. It is awonder any of us survived the next few years. My Fiancee saved my sorry self.