therende

You have to be in the right rate (MOS) to get past a certain pay-grade to advance. ET's (Electronic Technicians) could advance pretty quickly because most ET's got out after 4 years, not so with Boatswain Mates (BM) or Engine Men (EN), they often tried to make a career of it. I made E6 in 3 years and I knew BM's who had 17 years in and were still E5's. I got out after 4 and went back to college. Never had sea duty, just shore stations, not a bad life (some real a**holes though) but I wanted to get my degree. 

Thanks for the reply. I hope your brother is enjoying the ANG, fun to fly!!!

Tom