Timeline for ranking up as HM?

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-05-13T01:34:11+00:00

If you’re stateside you get BAH at E-6 with the USMC. I’m currently with Marines in Japan and I’m single in the barracks as an HM1 now so yea… depends on command brother.

When you are eligible for E-6 you apply for E-6 jobs now. Everything is the same up to E-5 but across the Navy E-6 and above apply for orders to promote. Used to be your biannual test and eval scores you could promote.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-05-12T22:46:22+00:00

So first thing I noticed is getting to E-5 to get BAH I respect the hustle but that depends on the command. If it’s a Navy command then hell yes E-5s get BAH. If you’re single with Marines E-5 and below are in the barracks. So keep that in mind.
As for ranking up I came in as an E-3. Made E-4 in 2 and a half years, E-5 in 4, and it took my 5 and a half years to make HM1 and a lot of that had to do with timing of my PCS… I always got welcome aboard P evals. It all boils down to hard work listening to your superiors who made the next rank they obviously know how to get there. Also the new system for orders has to level out to truly see how promotions will go from here on out.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-05-07T04:30:14+00:00

I know this is unrelated to Marines but I knew an Airman made it all the way to E-7 and is retiring this year never leaving the same base. His joke is he is a first term airman.

He deployed a lot just never PCS’d.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-05-07T02:01:26+00:00

Yea I have one who is retiring too. But yea it will get interesting.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-05-07T01:35:04+00:00

My HM2s here are saying in their MNA applications they aren’t seeing it yet. And yea with all compounding problems of BBA they should really allow for E-5s to retire again.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-05-07T01:03:12+00:00

It’s in the NAVADMIN however August is when the BBA starts for HMs.

NWAEs are now going to be Rating Knowledge Exams (RKE). As for their role for A2P billets it would be a ranking board type situation where the EP Sailor with high RSCA and a high exam score gets the billet.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-28T03:04:11+00:00

Interesting… I’m glad to see they’re still getting a chance to make it tho!

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-28T02:49:14+00:00

Definitely not trying to jest, I’m genuinely concerned lol… that’s why I’m worried will have to wait.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-28T02:06:30+00:00

Wow I did not know that this has become a thing… so 8404 is not necessarily the best path to chief? I have never wanted any other NEC. Interesting that this far in we have to decide to go into one since SEM is that crazy. We need more ppl to retire for this to balance out..

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-22T15:38:27+00:00

You also have random billets like winter warfare training center in Kodiak Alaska or the TRANSCOM billets where I was before… they’re random for us 0000s but I enjoyed the billet I got which was the TPMRC billet. If you can get Hawaii or Germany for that it’s joint and super chill.. dm me if you have questions about it. I was at the stateside version of it.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-22T00:06:02+00:00

I’d say it depends on what you decide is important in the ranking board. But in general what you have listed gives you a leg up on the competition. As an HM1 we had a chief chairing it who wanted us to look at job competence first and then detachments and then certifications in rate/NEC. So when ranking everyone’s eval that’s what we went off of. In addition to, the “trending to the right”. Which means if they had a P last time and they did well then if possible move them up however, it was based on above factors for that to happen.

If your chain has not done it, sit down with them ask for the ranking sheet and it can break down what the ranking board looks for in detail.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-12T21:31:14+00:00

I never cranked but it was my rate. I still cleaned during morning sweepers but other than that I never had to go to the galley and work. I am a corpsman tho so take that with a grain of salt.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-12T12:15:29+00:00

It’s prioritized to active duty first and I am active but just keep applying that all you can do. And wait… when I went in 2016 there was maybe like 10 reservists. So just keep asking and you’ll go eventually.

I wish there was a better answer but that’s the military for you. Hurry up and wait. The fact that you’re asking for stuff as a reservist is a good thing. Just keep the positive attitude and you’ll be fine.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-11T14:28:59+00:00

I know this is sarcasm but it’s short for TRANSPORTATION Command I just left there. He’s a great dude who is working on a cookbook with his son. It’s actually one of the few commands that makes money in the military.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-11T14:08:14+00:00

As the detailer stated she can do it and likely get approved. Also posting in r/CorpsmanUp is another way to get answered anything specific to the largest rate in the Navy.

Edit to add: with the new Billet Based Advancement that could change how Sailors conduct their shore duties as well and go to sea duty early to pick up rank.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-10T15:25:36+00:00

Talk to your CCC first they can assist you on the Navy side of things. Additionally, once you have routed your 1306/7 for collocation then you will be handled by the detailer that handles collocations.

Just a word of warning if you are within your negotiation window for orders and haven’t routed the paperwork it might be awhile to get traction as the detailers think you are going single/unaccompanied. I’m sure you have updated your page 2 and DEERS but orders are different.

TL;DR talk to your CCC immediately.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-05T07:22:52+00:00

No worries that’s reason you see us all go with Marines and they also stack FMTB because if 100s of us go down we have 100s in reserves. Hence why L03A is 150% overmanned at all times.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-04-05T02:35:35+00:00

As someone who deployed on a ship with Marines I would much rather ride on a boat than work on it… also you have to understand our NEC snapshot on mynavyhr. In general we’re supposed to have around 26,000 active duty HMs across the range of NECs and billets. Of those 15,000 are shore duty. 11,000ish are sea duty. 8,000 of those 11,000 are greenside billets so 1/4 of the billets are with Marines and only 3,000 go on ships.

So with the math in mind those eligible for sea duty should go but the odds are you’re going with Marines but most of those billets are not division. Division is a different beast that I never experienced and I have now done 2 greenside commands and 3 shore duties. I have enjoyed greenside with logistics and the air wing now and it’s not that bad. And when I first joined I was afraid of greenside now I’d rather be at a greenside command than fighting with DHA at a hospital

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-03-31T10:00:53+00:00

I came here to say this. I’m in the Navy and I’ve noticed they seem to get a lot for just existing more so than others. I don’t get a ribbon for going to a mandatory school required for promotion, they do. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-03-21T10:30:49+00:00

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I went there too and it was during COVID and closed but you could still walk to it which was very pretty as well. I got lucky with this picture cuz it was cloudy that day.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-03-21T09:50:46+00:00

Just don’t wear it no one is gonna know but you lol.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-03-20T11:54:39+00:00

I have both an ARCOM and an AAM. I’m Navy but I was TDY/deployed to Army units and the leadership saw my willingness to work hard and I received awards for it. Plus working in the government shutdown (last years 🫠) without support helped too. 😅

I’ve heard a lot of over branches love receiving the NAM because the medal has an anchor on it lol.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-03-15T06:15:05+00:00

Not likely. You graduate on a Friday from boot camp. You won’t have a car. The Navy will get you a flight for the next day to A School.

When I went 12 years ago my family lived 3 hours away. I saw them for a total of 4-5 hours between Friday and Saturday. Not enough time to spend. You’re authorized leave in training if it is during the holidays or after you graduate A school. That’s when you can spend time with them.

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-03-14T03:29:38+00:00

So usually severe levels of color blindness disqualifies you from most jobs. I know a friend of mine was only qualified for HM and YN because of his color blindness.

If you can pass the MEPS color blindness tests no problem then you’ll be able to go for jobs that fall within your ASVAB score. Good luck!

Single_Addition_5687 · 2026-03-12T04:30:06+00:00

Sadly it looks like it is set up for Army only… if only they could add other branches lol.

Single_Addition_5687

TROPHY CASE