On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:23:46 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:47:30 -0700 (PDT), JimH
wrote:

It was later shown that that rank in *given* based on the number of
years served.......a minimum rank.

You've got it backwards.

I said nothing earlier because the statements were in the ball park as far
as time and rank went. But, Army officers are promoted based on their
efficiency ratings, which happen to be reviewed at intervals based on the
needs of the Army. If officers are being used up quickly, or the Army is
expanding, the time interval will be short. If the service is drawing down,
the time interval will be longer.