美国陆军士兵衔级标志

陆军士兵衔级标志E-1无标志

E-2二等兵

E-3一等兵

E-4专业下士/下士

E-5士官

E-6参谋士官

E-7一等士官

E-8专家士官/首席士官

E-9士官长/指挥士官长

E-10陆军士官长

全文如下：

Army Enlisted Promotion System（美国陆士兵晋升体制）

Each year, when Congress passes the Defense Authorization Act, they tell the Army exactly how many people can be on active duty during the year. By separate legislation, Congress also limits what percentage of the total active duty force can serve in each commissioned officer rank, what percentage of the total active duty force can serve in each warrant officer rank, and what percentage of the active duty force can serve in each enlisted rank, above the grade of E-4 (there are no statutory limits for E-4 and below).

每年，当国会通过国防授权法案的时候，他们就会告知陆军当年可招募多少人服现役。通过其他单独的立法，国会还对每个衔级的军官、准尉以及E-4以上级别的士兵在所有现役人员中所占比例做出限制（E-4及以下级别的士兵无此法定限制）。

That, then, becomes the basis of the Army enlisted promotion system. The Army takes the number of "slots" they have for each enlisted rank, above the rank of E-4, and allocates them to the different（Military Occupation Specialty）MOS's (enlisted jobs). In other words, MOS 123 may be allowed to have 5,000 E-5s at any point in time and 2,000 E-6s, and MOS 456 may be authorized 7,000 E-5s, and 5,000 E-6s (as a general rule, the higher the rank, the fewer positions there are).

这就是陆军士兵晋升体系的基础。陆军决定了每个级别士兵的名额，对E-4以上级别的，就将他们分配到不同的军事专业岗位（士兵司职的）上去，换句话说，123类的军事专业岗位上可允许有5000名E-5级和2000名E-6级的士兵，而456类的军事专业岗位则可拥有7,000 名E-5级和5,000 E-6级的士兵（总的规律是，军衔越高，岗位也越少）。

In order to promote someone (above the rank of E-4), there must be a "vacancy." For example, if an E-9 retires in a certain MOS, that means that one E-8 can be promoted to E-9, and that opens an E-8 slot, so one E-7 can be promoted to E-8, and so-forth. If 200 E-5s get out of the Army in a particular MOS, then 200 E-4s can be promoted to E-5.

要想晋升一名士兵（E-4以上衔级），首先得有职务空缺。举个例，如果一名E-9士兵在一个岗位上退伍了，那么一名E-8士兵就可晋升到E-9级了。接着，一个E-8的名额也空出来了，然后一名E-7士兵又可晋升到E-8，依次类推。所以，如果有200名E-5士兵在其岗位上都退伍了，那就有200名E-4士兵可以晋升到E-5级。

The Army has 401,138 enlisted members on active duty. Here's how it breaks down, by enlisted rank:

陆军现拥有401,138名现役士兵，下面是各级别所占总数的比例：

Private (E-1) - 20,284 (5.1%)

Private (E-2) - 3,334 (9.1%)

Private First Class (E-3) - 56,757 (14.1%)

Specialist/Corporal (E-4) - 107,634 (26.8%)

Sergeant (E-5) - 73,034 (18.2%)

Staff Sergeant (E-6) - 56,664 (14.1%)

Sergeant First Class (E-7) - 36,725 (9.2%)

Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-8) - 10,541 (2.6%)

Sergeant Major (E-9) - 3,165 (0.8%)

新兵(E-1) - 20,284 (5.1%)

二等兵(E-2) - 3,334 (9.1%)

一等兵(E-3) - 56,757 (14.1%)

专业下士/下士(E-4) - 107,634 (26.8%)

士官(E-5) - 73,034 (18.2%)

参谋士官(E-6) - 56,664 (14.1%)

一等士官(E-7) - 36,725 (9.2%)

首席士官/专家士官(E-8) - 10,541 (2.6%)

士官长(E-9) - 3,165 (0.8%)

So, how does the Army decide which enlisted members are going to get promoted? They do this using three systems: Decentralized promotions for promotion to the grades of E-2 through E-4, Semi centralized promotions for promotion to the grades of E-5 and E-6, and centralized boards for promotions to E-7, E-8, and E-9.

那么，陆军是如何决定士兵的晋升呢？这又由三个体系来实现：晋升到E-2至E-4级实行分散式晋升，晋升到E-5至E-6级实行半集中式晋升，晋升到E-7至E-9级实行集中晋升。

Decentralized Promotions (E-2 through E-4).

分散式晋升（从E-2 到E-4）

Decentralized Promotions means that the unit (company) is the promotion authority. By theory, the commander decides who gets promoted and who doesn't. In actuality, because there are no quotas for promotion for E-2s through E-4s, commanders pretty much promote everyone (as long as they do their job okay and don't get into trouble) who meet the "promotion criteria." The "promotion criteria" is set by the Army to ensure that the "promotion flow" remains stable, and everyone (regardless of MOS) can expect to be promoted at the same (approximate) time-frame.

分散式晋升指连一级的单位（以下统称单位）具有晋升权力，理论上就是说单位指挥官可决定谁升谁不升，而事实上，因为晋升到E-2至E-4级是没有限额的，所以连指挥官会晋升任何达到晋升标准的人（只要他们做好各自的事，不惹麻烦），这个晋升标准由陆军制定，以保证晋升次序的稳定，而且每一个人（不管何种军事专业岗位）也都有望能同批（或大致同批）地晋升。

For soldiers in MOS 19D （cavalry scout）, and 19K（M1 Armor Crewman ）IET, commanders may promote up to 10 percent of each 19D and 19K class upon completion of basic combat training (BCT) portion of one station unit training (OSUT) to PV2 and an equal number to PFC upon graduation from the MOS producing course.

对于骑兵侦察兵和M1坦克成员这种岗位，连指挥官可将完成这样一个岗位连级训练中基础作战训练的士兵总数的10%晋升到二等兵，或者将同样比例的完成该军事专业岗位培训课程的士兵晋升到一等兵。Finally, if the unit is undermanned in specific grades, the Army may allow the unit commander to waiver TIG（time in grade ）and TIS（time in service）requirements. When specifically authorized, the commander can waiver up to 2 months TIG for promotions to E-2, 6 months TIS/2 months TIG for promotions to E-3, and 6 months TIS/3 months TIG for promotion to E-4.

最后，如果这个单位在某些级别的士兵上缺员，那么陆军会允许这个单位的指挥官不用考虑服役时限和级别时限的要求。当通过特别授权后，这个单位的指挥官可以将服役满2月的新兵晋升到二等兵（E-2），将服役满6个月并在二等兵级别上干满2个月的晋升到一等兵(E-3)，还可将服役6个月并在一等兵衔上干满3个月的晋升到专业下士/下士(E-4)。

The promotion criteria for promotion to the ranks of E-2 to E-4 are:

晋升到E-2 至E-4的一般标准如下：

Private (E-2) - Six months time-in-grade (TIG) as a private (E-1).

Private First Class (E-3) - Four months TIG as a Private (E-2) and 12 months time-in-service (TIS).

Specialist/Corporal (E-4) - 6 months TIG with 24 months TIS.

晋升二等兵(E-2) ：在新兵级别上干满6个月.

晋升一等兵(E-3)：在二等兵级别上干满4个月并服役满1年。

晋升专业下士/下士(E-4)：在一等兵级别上干满6个月并服役满2年。

There are some exceptions to the rules on the previous page. First, in the Army, it's possible to join an advanced rank (up to E-4) for certain accomplishments, including college credits, Junior ROTC, or even referring other

appllications for enlistment, while a member of the Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP).

前面介绍了晋升标准外的一些情况。首先，在陆军中，如果有这些情形者：如获得了大学学分，完成了初级预备军官训练团训练，或是作为一名参加了“陆军缓征计划”者提出其他的入伍申请，都可获得更高军衔（E-4以上）。

Second, soldiers in Special Forces (18X) can be promoted to E-4 with just 12 months TIS, and no specific TIG requirement.

其次，特种部队士兵的晋升无级别时限要求，只要服役满一年就可晋升到专业下士/下士(E-4)。

An E-4 can be either a "specialist" or a "corporal" in the Army. So, what's the difference? Well, they both get paid the same. However, a corporal is considered a noncommissioned officer and a specialist is not.

在陆军中，一个E-4士兵可以是专业下士，也可以是下士.那么，差别在哪呢？他们的薪水相同，然而一名下士被认为是一名非正式任命的干部，而专业下士不是。

A corporal has more authority under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and has a greater degree of leadership responsibility. An E-4 is normally designated an NCO (corporal) if they are a team or section leader. Corporals are more common amongst the Combat Arms, but many Combat Support MOS's (jobs) may have them. 在共同军事条例条令中，一名下士具有更大的权威，并担负更大的领导责任。一名E-4士兵如果是一个小组或分队领导，那他一般会被任为下士。下士通常是在作战单位中，但许多担任作战支援的军事专业岗位上也有他们的身影。

Semi centralized Promotions (E-5 and E-6)

半集中晋升（E-5 至E-6）

A Semi centralized Promotion process means that the unit (company) plays a part in the promotion selection process, but it's the Army (Army-wide) who decides who actually gets promoted. As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, within each Army MOS (job) there are limited numbers of who can hold the ranks of E-5 and E-6 at any given time. When vacancies open up (due to people getting promoted or people getting out), the Army has to decide (Army-wide) which E-4s (within that MOS) to promote to E-5 and which E-5s to promote to E-6.

半集中晋升的意思是指单位在晋升筛选过程中扮演部分角色，而谁获得晋升主要是由陆军来决定。正如我在文章开头所提到的，在陆军的军事专业岗位上，在任何时候，能获得E-5 和E-6级军衔的士兵的名额都是受限的。只有当出现岗位空缺（取决于此岗位的人晋升或离职），陆军就会决定（在陆军范围内）哪个E-4士兵（在该岗位的）能晋升到E-5级，哪个E-5士兵能晋升到E-6级。

There are two promotion processes known as "Primary Zone" and "Secondary Zone." Most enlisted are promoted in the "Primary Zone." The "Secondary Zone" gives an opportunity for commanders to give "exceptional performers" an early shot at promotion. Time-in-Service and Time-in-Grade requirements for promotion consideration in the two zones are:

半集中晋升有两种模式，一种是初级模式，另一种是二级模式。大部分的士兵都是通过初级模式晋升的，而二级模式能让单位指挥官有机会对情况例外者实行提前晋升。两种模式对服役时限和级别时限的要求如下：

Primary Zone

Sergeant (E-5) - 8 months TIG as an E-4 and 36 months (3 years) TIS.

Staff Sergeant (E-6) - 10 months TIG as an E-5 and 84 months (7 years) TIS.

初级模式：

晋升士官(E-5) ：在E-4级上干满8个月并服役满3年。

晋升参谋士官(E-6)：在E-5级上干满10个月并服役满7年。

Secondary Zone (Exceptional Performers)

Sergeant (E-5) - 4 months TIG and 18 months TIS.

Staff Sergeant (E-6) - 5 months TIG and 48 months (4 years) TIS

二级模式（情况例外者）

晋升士官(E-5) ：在E-4级上干满4个月，并服役满1年半。

晋升参谋士官(E-6)：在士官级别上干满5个月，并服役满4年。

The process (for either zone) begins with "Administrative Points." A soldier receives promotion points for various accomplishments, such as military decorations (medals), and PFT (Physical Fitness Test) scores.

每一种模式的晋升过程都是从“行政分数”开始的，一名士兵可通过几种途径可获得晋升的分数，比如获得了军事奖章和体能适应测试得分等。

Administrative points consist of the following:

行政分数主要有下面几个部分组成：

Duty Performance (maximum 150 points) - The unit commander awards duty performance points, based on recommendations from the individual's supervisor(s). The commander may award up to 30 points in each of the following areas: Competence (Is the soldier proficient and knowledgeable? Does he/she communicate effectively?) Military Bearing (Is the soldier a "role model," in the areas of appearance and self-confidence?) Leadership (Does the soldier motivate others, set high standards, show proper concern for the mission?) Training [Individual and Team Training.] (Does the soldier share knowledge and experience? Does he/she teach others?) Responsibility/Accountability (Equipment, facilities, safety, conservation)

工作表现（最高150分）：单位指挥官基于士兵的主管的推荐而给定士兵的表现分数。指挥官可给如后的任一方面以30分：才能（该人是否精专且有学识？他/她能否有效地进行交流？）、骨干作用（该人在外在和自信方面是一名行为榜样吗？）、领导能力（该人能激励他人，会制定高的标准并能表达对任务的正确看法吗？）、训练[个人及集体训练]（该人能同他人分享知识和经验吗？他/她会教别人吗？）、责任心（装备，设备，安全和持恒）。

Awards and Decorations (maximum 100 points) - Some military awards (medals) are given a specific promotion-point value.

奖励和奖章（最高100分）：一些军事奖励（奖章）可获得特别的晋升分数。

Military Education (maximum 200 points) - Many military training courses (Ranger School, Platoon Leaders Development Course, military correspondence courses, etc.) are worth a certain number of promotion points.

军队教育（最高200分）：许多军事训练课程（游骑兵学校，排长提高课程，军事通信课程等等）都可值一定的分数。

Civilian Education (maximum 100 points) - The Army gives promotion points for off-duty education, such as college courses, or business/trade school courses.

地方教育（最高100分）：陆军会给像大学课程或商业/贸易学校课程这类脱产教育以晋升分值。

Military Training (maximum 100 points) - Points are given for scores achieved on the Army Physical Fitness Test, and scores achieved on the Rifle/Pistol Range.

军事训练（最高100分）：在陆军体能适应测试及步枪/手枪射击中得分也能获得晋升分值。

Promotion Boards.

The next part of the process is the Promotion Board. In order to convene a promotion board, the commander must be in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) or above. That means, if the company commander is an O-5, the board can be conducted by the company. However, if the company commander is an O-3, the member will meet the board conducted by the next level of command (such as Battalion) where the commander is at least an O-5.

晋升委员会

下一步骤就轮到晋升委员会了。只有中校及以上的军官才能召集晋升委员会。就是说，如果一个单位的指挥官是一名中校，晋升委员会就由本单位来组织。但是，如果单位指挥官只是上尉，那就得将委员会人员充任到其指挥官至少是中校的更高一级的部队（如营）的委员会去。

Some E-4s can be promoted to Sergeant (E-5) without a promotion board, under a new Army promotion policy.

根据陆军一项新的晋升政策，一些E-4士兵可不通过晋升委员会而晋升到E-5级。

The promotion board consists of at least three voting members and one nonvoting member (the recorder). The President of the Board is the senior member. If the board consists of all enlisted members (NCOs), then the President of the Board should be (if possible) the Command Sergeant Major.

晋升委员会至少由三名投票委员和一名非投票委员（记录员）组成。委员会主席是其中最高衔者，如果委员会成员都是士兵，那该委员会主席就得是指挥士官长。

If not possible, then the President can be a Sergeant Major (E-9). All members of the board must be at least one grade senior to those being considered for promotion (For example, for an E-5 promotion board, all of the members must be in the grades of E-6 or above).

如不行，主席也可以是士官长（E-9）。委员会所有的成员都必须比拟晋军衔高一个等级（举例，对于一个拟晋士官（E-5）的晋升委员会，所有的成员必须都是参谋士官（E-6）或更高。

If available, there must be at least one voting member of the same sex as the soldiers being considered. For example, if a board is considering 50 E-5s for promotion to E-6, and 2 of those being considered are female, the board should have at least one female voting member. Additionally, each board should have at least one voting minority member (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.).

如可行，晋升委员会中至少还要有一名跟拟晋升士兵性别相同的投票成员，举个例子，如果晋升委员会考虑将50 名士官（E-5）晋升到参谋士官（E-6），而其中两人是女性，那委员会中至少要有一名女性投票委员。此外，每个委员会至少还要有一名少数族裔（非裔，西班牙裔，亚裔等）的投票委员。

Soldiers physically appear before the promotion board. Each board members ask a series of questions, and scores the candidate in four separate areas:

拟升士兵必须亲自面对晋升委员会。每个委员都会问一系列的问题，并就以下几个单独的方面给候选者评分：

Personal Appearance

Oral Expression & Conversation Skills

Knowledge of World Affairs

Awareness of Military Programs

Knowledge of Basic Soldiering (Soldier's Manual)

Soldier's Attitude (includes an assessment of the soldier's and potential for promotion, trends in performance, etc). 个人形象

口头表达和交流能力

对世界事务的认知

对军事项目的了解

对士兵手册的掌握

个人态度（包括对该士兵在晋升方面的潜力及表现趋向的评估）

Each board member rates each of the above areas as follows:

Average - 1 to 7 points

Above Average - 8 to 13 points

Excellent - 14 to 19 points

Outstanding 20 to 25 points

每个委员都按下列判分标准给定分数：

一般：1~7分

较好：8~13分

优秀：14~19分

杰出：20~25分

The maximum number of points that can be awarded by each board member is 150 points, total. The total points for all the voting board members are totaled, and then divided by the number of board members. This results in an "average score" by the board. That becomes the soldier's "promotion board points" (maximum of 150).

每个委员能给出的分数总值最高为150分。每个投票委员给出的总分数将被加和，然后除以委员会人数，得到一个加权平均分，这就是拟晋升士兵的“投票委员会评分”（最高150分）。

The board takes one final action -- they vote on whether or not they recommend the candidate for promotion. If a majority of the members vote "no," then the individual will not be promoted, regardless of how many total administrative and board points they have.

委员会在最后还有一事，即投票决出他们是否将推荐候选者的晋升，如果大多数委员投票否决，那该人就不会被晋升，不管他有多少行政分数和委员会评分。

The board points are then added to the administrative points. The maximum possible combined administrative points and board points is 850.

晋升委员会评分将与行政分数加和，加和后的最高分可达到850分。

In order to be placed on the promotion "recommended list," a soldier eligible for promotion to E-5 must achieve a minimum of 350 combined administrative and board points. A soldier eligible for promotion to E-6 must have at least 450 total promotion points.

一名符合晋升士官（E-5）条件的士兵如想名列晋升推荐表上，那他的行政分数和委员会评分加起来必须达到350分。而对于符合晋升参谋士官（E-6）条件的士兵则必须达到450分。

Soldiers who make it through all of the above are placed on the "Recommended List." As I said, there are only a certain number of vacancies available in each MOS for each enlisted grade. Each month, the Army looks at each MOS and determines how many people within the MOS they need to promote to fill the vacancies (remember, vacancies within each grade are created when someone gets promoted out of that grade, gets out of the Army, or re-trains into a different MOS).

达到以上条件就可名列晋升推荐表上，如我所说，在每一级别的士兵司职的每个军事专业岗位上，都只有一定名额的空缺。每个月，陆军都会视每个岗位的情况然后决定在此岗位上可晋升多少人以填补空缺（记住，当有人获得提升，或退役，或是经再训调到别的岗位上去了，那空缺就产生了）。

Let's say that there are 700 E-4s (Army-wide) on the "recommended list" for promotion to E-5 in MOS 123, "Left-handed Fence-pole Climber." The Army Personnel Computers do their magic, and determine that in order to fill the vacancies, they must promote 50 E-4s within the MOS to E-5 during the month of June. The Army looks at all the scores (total administrative points and board scores) of all the soldiers on the "recommended list" within that MOS. The 50 E-4 soldiers with the most combined points within that MOS (Army-wide) will be promoted. The person (within that top 50) that has the lowest score establishes the score cut-off. In other words, let's say that the 50th person on the list has a total score of 450 (out of 800 possible). The Army will then send out a message saying that everyone in MOS 123, on the "Recommended List" for promotion to E-5 with a score of 450 or greater will be promoted.

如果说在123类军事专业岗位上拟晋升到E-5的推荐表上有700名E-4士兵（全陆军范围），那么陆军的电脑就开始工作以决定填补岗位空缺，在6月份前必须在某个岗位上晋升50名E-4士兵至E-5。陆军查看名列该岗位的推荐表上的士兵的总分（行政分数和委员会评分之和），得分最多的前50名士兵将获得晋升，以排名第50的士兵之总分为划分线。换言之，如果推荐表上名列第50名的士兵的总分如果是450的话，那么陆军就会通告说任何名列123类岗位的推荐表上的人的总分如果是450或超过450，那他将被晋升至E-5级。

Of course, some MOS's (jobs) have faster (average) promotion times than others.

Why? It's because there are more vacancies within that MOS. For example, if MOS 123 really sucks, or the civilian-equivelent pays high, a lot of E-4s and E-5s will get out (or possibly re-train) after just one 4 or 5 year

hitch. That means there are fewer E-4s and E-5s competing for open promotion vacancies, which means less competition, which, in turn, generally means one needs a lower "cut-off" score to be promoted. Additionally, if the job pays high in the civilian sector, or really sucks, more senior NCOs will elect to retire at 20 years of service, instead of staying for 25 or 30 years, thereby opening up more promotion slots.

当然，有些岗位会比其他岗位有更快的晋升机会。那为什么会这样呢？因为这个岗位有更多的空缺。举个例，如果123类岗位缺乏吸引力，或者说地方上的同类工作薪酬更高，经过4~5年，许多E-4和E-5士兵都会退伍（或重训）。这就意味着在公布的晋升空缺上，会有相对较少的E-4和E-5士兵参与竞争，也就是说竞争更少。同样，晋升划分线也会相对降低。此外，如果这工作真的无趣，或地方工作薪水很高，那么，更多的服役满20年的高级士官会选择退休，而不是呆满25或30年，因此这也会提供更多的晋升名额。Centralized Promotions (E-7, E-8, and E-9)

集中晋升（E-7至E-9）

Centralized promotions are conducted Army-wide, at Army Personnel Headquarters. The unit/battalion has nothing (or little) to do with the promotion process. There are no minimum time-in-grade requirements for promotion to E-7, E-8, or E-9, but soldiers must meet the following minimum time-in-service requirements to be eligible for promotion:

集中晋升由陆军人事司令部在全陆军范围内进行。连/营跟晋升过程毫无（或极少）关系。晋升至E-7到E-9不受最低级别时限的限制。但要想符合晋升要求则必须达到以下最低服役时限的要求：

Sergeant First Class (E-7) - 6 years.

Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-8) - 8 years.

Sergeant Major (E-9) - 9 years.

一等士官(E-7) ：6 年

专家士官/首席士官(E-8) ：8 年

士官长(E-9) ：9 年

(Note: This doesn't mean that you'll find too many (or any) Sergeant Majors with only 9 years in the Army. As you'll see below, the promotion board puts a lot of stock into experience. Someone with only 9 years in the Army is unlikely to have enough experience to impress the promotion board members).

（注：这并不是说陆军中会有很多（或相当数量）的只服役了9年的士官长。如以下你所见，晋升委员会设置了很多对经验的要求标准。某人如果仅在陆军中服役9年，那他不可能有足够的经验给晋升委员会留下印象。）

The Centralized Promotion Board consists of at least five members. The board can (and usually is) divided into separate panels, which, in turn, review/score the promotion records for those being considered in different MOS's. If so, each panel must include at least three voting members. The President of the Board must be a General Officer. Board members are commissioned officers and Senior NCOs.

集中晋升委员会至少要有5名成员，委员会可分为（通常也是如此）不同的小组，各小组会对不同岗位上的拟晋升对象的晋升记录进行考察或评分。而且，每个小组必须有至少3名投票委员，委员会主席则必须是将官，其他委员可以是军官和高级士官。

Unlike the promotion boards for E-5s and E-6's, soldiers do not personally meet the Centralized Board. The board makes their decisions based on the contents of the soldier's promotion records.

与晋升E-5和E-6的晋升委员会不同，拟晋人员不必亲自同集中晋升会员会见面。委员会根据拟晋人员的晋升记录来下结论。

Each year, the Army decides how many soldiers within each MOS it plans to promote to the ranks of E-7, E-8, and E-9. For example, if the Army plans to promote 17 E-7 soldiers in MOS 123 to E-8 within the next year, they basically say to the board, "Here are the promotion records of everyone eligible for promotion to E-8 in MOS 123. Please review these records, discuss them, vote, and select 17 of them to be promoted within the next 12 months."

每年，陆军都决定在每个岗位上将有多少士兵可获晋升到E-7，E-8，和E-9。举个例，如果陆军计划在下年度晋升17名123 类岗位上的E-7 士兵到E-8级，他们就会对委员会说：“这是123类岗位上所有具有资格晋升到E-8的士兵的晋升记录，请在接下来一年内研究考察这些记录，并投票选出17名可晋升人员。”Soldiers eligible for consideration may write to the president of the promotion board to provide documents and information drawing attention to any matter concerning themselves that they feel is important to their consideration. Although written communication is authorized, it is only encouraged when there is something that is not provided in the soldier’s records that the soldier feels will have an impact on the board’s deliberations.

符合条件的士兵可以向晋升委员会主席写信，提供相关的文件资料和信息，反应任何与自己有关的且自认为对考察很重要的事，以望引起委员会的注意。尽管通信是合法的，但只当某士兵的记录中遗漏了某事，而该士兵又觉得此事会对委员会的考虑产生影响时，才鼓励这种做法。

The promotion records consist of pretty much everything that is in the soldier's military records, including decorations (medals), dates of service, dates of assignments, duty positions (past and present), performance reports, educational accomplishments, military training, official photograph, records of disciplinary action, such as Article 15, or courts-martial convictions, letters of reprimand, etc.

晋升记录囊括了士兵从军记录中的所有大小事情。包括奖励（奖章）、服役日期，分配日期，职务岗位（过去和现在），表现记录，所完成的教育，军事训练，正式照片，军纪行为记录，军事法庭罪案记录，申诉信等等

The members of the board discuss and score each record, and then make a determination as to whether or not the individual should be promoted (remember, the board is told in advance exactly how many in each MOS can be promoted that year).

委员会成员会对每一个记录进行讨论和评分，然后决定该人是否可晋升（记住，委员会事先已获告知当年在某个岗位上有多少晋升名额）

The sucky part of this process is that if a member is not selected, the board will not tell him/her (individually) why. However, following the conclusion of the board, the President publishes a synopsis, which gives an overview of which factors (in general) the board looked at the most (which may or may not have any bearing on what is primarily looked at the next year).

此过程中让人郁闷的是，如果某人没被选中，那委员会也不会告诉他/她是为什么。然而，根据委员会得出的结论，主席将公布一个大纲，大纲中会给出委员会对其最看重的一方面（总的来说）的总的观点（这与下一年所看重的东西有关，或者无关）。

The Army then takes all the selectees (without regard to MOS), and assigns them a promotion sequence number, which is assigned according to seniority.

陆军根据资历，将所有入选者（不论岗位）按晋升次序进行编号。

For example, if it's the E-7 list, the Army will give the lowest sequence number (0001) to the E-7 selectee with the most time-in-grade as an E-6. Each month, for the next 12 months, the Army will then release the sequence numbers of those to be promoted during that month. This ensures a smooth promotion flow for the following 12 months (when the next board will meet and do everything all over again).

举个例，如果是晋升E-7的入选名单，那陆军会将级别时限最长的一个E-6士兵编为最小号（0001），在接下来的12个月中，陆军将依次按照晋升编号给予晋升。这保证了接下来12个月有连续不断的晋升（直到下一届晋升委员会召集并重复这一切）。

Note: You've probably noted that, like corporal/specialist, the grade of E-8 is also divided into two ranks: Master Sergeant and First Sergeant. Like the specialist/corporal, Master Sergeants and First Sergeants are paid the same (both are E-8s). However, the First Sergeant has a much larger degree of authority and responsibility. The First Sergeant wears special rank (with a diamond), and is the top enlisted leader in the unit. First sergeants work directly for the unit commander and are responsible for the morale, welfare, and discipline of all of the enlisted

members assigned to the unit.

注：你或许注意到了，就像下士/专业下士，E-8级也分成两种军衔：专家士官和首席士官。正如下士/专业下士，专家士官和首席士官的薪水也是一样的（都是E-8水平）。但是，首席士官拥有大得多的权威和责任。首席士官佩带特殊的军衔标志（中间有一个钻石形状），是单位中士兵的领袖人物。首席士官直接为单位指挥官工作，负责维持本单位所有士兵的士气、福利和纪律。

So, how long does it take to get promoted in the Army? Remember, it's dependent on the particular MOS (job) and how many vacancies (due to separations and retirements) there are in that job. On average, however, one can expect to be promoted with the following time-in-service (2001 statistics):

因此，在陆军中，士兵需要多长时间才能获得晋升呢？记住，这依赖于专门的岗位及之上产生的空缺。一般来说，一名士兵在服役满以下时间后有望获得晋升相应级别：

Private (E-2) - 6 months

Private First Class (E-3) - 1 year

Specialist/Corporal (E-4) - 18 months

Sergeant (E-5) - 4.2 years

Staff Sergeant (E-6) - 8.5 years

Sergeant First Class (E-7) - 13.6 years

Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-8) - 17 years

Sergeant Major (E-9) - 20.8 years

二等兵（E-2）： 6 个月

一等兵(E-3) ：1 年

专业下士/下士(E-4)：18 个月

士官(E-5) ：4.2 年

参谋士官(E-6)：8.5 年

一等士官(E-7) ：13.6 年

专家士官/首席士官(E-8) ：17 年

士官长(E-9) ：20.8 年