Army Advanced Enlistment / Early Promotion

New recruits in the Army typically enter service at the rank of Private (paygrade E-1), which is the lowest rank in the Army (more on Army Enlisted ranks and paygrades). However, many individuals wishing to join the Army can qualify for advanced enlistment and enter service immediately as a PV2, Private First Class, or even a Specialist.

Qualifications to Join the Army as a PV2 (paygrade E-2)

  • Completion of 1 or 2 years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
  • Completion of a National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) program
  • Holding 24 or more college credits (semester hours) from an accredited college or university. Details
  • Completed Phase II requirements of Air Force Civil Air Patrol, receiving the Billy Mitchell award
  • Members of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps who received the Quartermaster Award.
  • Obtained Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.
  • Received the Girl Scout Gold Award with the Girl Scouts of America
  • Completion of the pre-Basic Training task list while in the Future Soldiers program (formerly known as the Delayed Entry Program or DEP).

Qualifications to Join the Army as a PFC (paygrade E-3)

  • Completion of 3 or more years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
  • Completion of a National Defense Cadet Corps program (NDCC) (only if the individual already qualified to join as an E-2 due to a different qualification)
  • Completing 1 year of Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (SROTC)
  • Holding 48 or more college credits (semester hours) from an accredited college or university. Details
  • Completion of 2 or more academic years of a post secondary vocational technical (VO TEC) school and received a certificate of training. Details
  • Completing the pre-Basic Training task list while in the Future Soldiers program (previously the Delayed Entry Program or DEP). This applies only if the individual already qualified to join as an E-2 for a separate qualification.

Qualifications to Join the Army as a SPC (paygrade E-4)

 

Stipulations for College Credit / College Degrees

In order to receive credit for college semester hours or college degrees awarded, the college or university must be listed in the American Council on Education's Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education (AIPE). Foreign universities must be accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Foreign university transcripts will be evaluated prior to being accepted. Vocational Technical (VO TEC) schools must be listed in AIPE as well.

Future Soldiers Pre-Basic Training Task List

You can view the complete requirements for the Future Soldiers pre-basic training task list here (in PDF format): Pre-Basic Training Task List

 

Future Soldiers Referral Program

Formerly known as the Delayed Entry Program, soldiers in the Future Soldiers Program can earn advanced promotion to the paygrade of E-2 or E-3 by referring others who subsequently enlist in the Army. A referral must enlist in the Future Soldiers Program before the individual enters basic training. Also, the following conditions must be met:

Advanced Promotion to E-2 via Referrals

Refer 1 high school graduate (or high school attendee) who scores 50 or higher on the ASVAB

Refer 2 high school graduates (or high school attendees) who score from 31 to 49 on the ASVAB

Refer 3 individuals who do not meet the above conditions but are otherwise qualified to join the Army

Advanced Promotion to E-3 via Referrals

Refer 2 high school graduates (or high school attendees) who score 50 or higher on the ASVAB

Refer 4 high school graduates (or high school attendees) who score from 31 to 49 on the ASVAB

Refer 6 individuals who do not meet the above conditions but are otherwise qualified to join the Army

Article Last Modified: March 15, 2011

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