[seanmcdirmid]

So promote until the Peter principle is activated?

[hurricanetc]

For the military... not really. They have a concept called “high year of tenure” which limits how long a soldier can remain in a rank without being promoted. You are meant to advance and if you don’t advance you will be separated out.

For example if you join the Army as a specialist (E4) you have 8 years to get promoted or you’re essentially kicked out.

[seanmcdirmid]

Isn’t that the same thing? You eventually reach a level where you can’t perform at the next and become classed as incompetent.

Though I would think for enlisted this happens much less than officers.

[gowld]

No, you get promoted to level of competence, then fired after several years instead of becoming incompetent.

[hurricanetc]

It would be the same thing if promotions weren’t so ludicrous. If you are an enlisted and want to get a promotion your best bet is to max your PT scores. It really has nothing to do with your ability to do a job at all.

[Spooky23]

Usually there’s a title standard at a particular band. A principal engineer is not just performing tasks for example, they are providing engineering/technical leadership.

Junior/Normal/senior is a change in rank or function. It makes sense to provide salary steps with respect to tenure, but not changes in duties.