Which rank must a Soldier hold to be considered for promotion to Sergeant?

To be considered for promotion to Sergeant, a Soldier must hold the rank of Specialist (SPC). This is significant because the rank of SPC is the promotional threshold that allows a Soldier to compete for advancement to the non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranks, specifically to Sergeant.

Promotion to Sergeant is a transition into a leadership role, and it requires a Soldier to have demonstrated the necessary skills and attributes associated with leadership, which is cultivated during the time spent at the Specialist rank. Additionally, the Soldier must meet other criteria, such as time in service, time in grade, and completing required training, but the starting point begins at the rank of Specialist.

Other ranks, such as Corporal, Private First Class, or Staff Sergeant, are not eligible for consideration for promotion to Sergeant in this context. A Corporal is already a non-commissioned officer and would typically be promoted to Sergeant, not considered for it. Private First Class holds a junior rank that precedes Specialist and does not qualify for advancement directly to Sergeant. Meanwhile, a Staff Sergeant holds a higher rank and is already beyond Sergeant in the promotion hierarchy. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the specific eligibility of the Specialist rank to transition into the Sergeant role.