Rank and Age

[kato13]

Originally Posted by natehale1971

Absolute minimium time in the service to make that rank... sorry... i thought i had inculded it.

The minimums could be bypassed by a direct commission correct? A doctor for example.

[Legbreaker]

Absolutely!

Direct commisions usually require little more than an identified NEED and a few short weeks of military training.

An even more rapid entry can be had for military Chaplains I believe who receive virtually no training at all. Of course their rank is primarily honourary and promotion is tied closer to their church than the military (so I'm led to understand).

[natehale1971]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

Absolutely!

Direct commisions usually require little more than an identified NEED and a few short weeks of military training.

An even more rapid entry can be had for military Chaplains I believe who receive virtually no training at all. Of course their rank is primarily honourary and promotion is tied closer to their church than the military (so I'm led to understand).

That's correct. and some of the commissions (such as doctors and nurses) have you entering at a rank of 1LT or CPT to start out... mainly because of the masters and doctorate degrees are considered so important. I can't remember what kind of job it is, but once you are commissioned... you start out at as MAJ or LTC. I think it's one of the theoretical research fields, but i'm not exactly sure.

[Targan]

In my campaign the now Major Anthony Po was commissioned direct to Captain because he was a medical doctor. Then he was promoted to Major after the mission he led to backpack nuke WarPac HQ in Lublin. I still feel uncomfortable with him being a Major at the age of 27 but hey, there is a war on, right?

[Legbreaker]

I believe during some of the larger conflicts (WWI and II spring to mind), promotions could occassionally be extremely rapid.
One example I found after a very quick google search is http://glennvance.com/2007/07/12/gal...n-the-us-army/

Brigadier General at age 20 - not bad I'd have to say....

[Fusilier]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

I believe during some of the larger conflicts (WWI and II spring to mind), promotions could occassionally be extremely rapid.
One example I found after a very quick google search is http://glennvance.com/2007/07/12/gal...n-the-us-army/

Brigadier General at age 20 - not bad I'd have to say....

Its clearly obvious that he ONLY got such promotions on account of his oddball name... Galusha Pennypacker

[Legbreaker]

If he was getting paid according to the rank and managing to stay far, far away from the front lines, I don't think he'd care!

[kato13]

Originally Posted by Targan

In my campaign the now Major Anthony Po was commissioned direct to Captain because he was a medical doctor. Then he was promoted to Major after the mission he led to backpack nuke WarPac HQ in Lublin. I still feel uncomfortable with him being a Major at the age of 27 but hey, there is a war on, right?

My Google-fu has found
In 1918 the youngest Major in the US Army was 23.
In 1943 I believe there was also a 23 year old major.

Interestingly they were both Artillery officers.