Marine Corps Rank E-3 to E-5

Prepared for: Future Enlisted

By: Matthew Benally

 Table Of Contents
Introduction 1

Scope 1

Evaluation 3

Item 1

Conclusion 1

References 3

List of Table
Table 1. Enlisted Pay Chart 1...........................................................................................................................

Table 2. Enlisted Percentage 1 ........................................................................................................................

Introduction
Purpose of this to have an understanding what rank is the best. I'm evaluating the pay, benefits of each
rank, and how leaderships process changes or how they are still the same.

Scope
I choose to evaluate ranks in the Military. The ranks are E-3 a Lance Corporal, E-4 a Corporal and an E-5 a
Sergeant. Each rank has different roles in the military, so missions are met and together they are one
defending the country.

3 criteria I will evaluate are the pay between the 3 different ranks. Higher the rank the more pay you
get, or the more time in the more pay your get too. Even with benefits the higher the ranks the more
responsibilities and task. Hong long it takes to reach a rank and what it will take to be promoted to the
next rank.

Pay for instant changes over the years like a $100 more a month every year for only for years or a pay
increase once promoted to the next rank. Leadership changes throughout each rank or even for a senior
enlisted. A junior enlisted may have less time in grade meaning he is new to the rank and still developing
the mindset of that rank. They are now getting ready for the next rank like E-3 which is a lance corporal
is now learning to be a Corporal taking roles that are newer tasks. Same for a Corporal he should be
leading and looking forward to sergeant. How leadership changes each rank must lead there junior
enlisted to be the next lance corporal or the next corporal and so on. Each rank has roles to determine if
they are ready to be promoted each have different task to do so. For rank progression each is different.
In conclusion this will decide which rank you will want the most when enlisted. Each is earn not given.
But if you continue to further good luck. As for I experience each rank before I got out.

Evaluation

Evaluation 1: The Pay between the 3 ranks

So as a person enlisted know payment starts the very first day, they are in boot camp. Then every 2
weeks are paid. But it’s not much starting as an E-1 but something. As you make it to E-3 it's been at
least 14 months and the pay gets better. Then two years go by your making $1,952 a month. But could
at least be a Corporal in 2 years making more money to at least $2,138 a month. That $186 more a
month. A lance corporal that doesn’t get promoted throughout his 4 year or 5-year enlistment is losing
money. Year 3 a lance gets paid more but could have been a corporal and made $2,232 more money on
year 2. After 3 years $2,352 more money could have been made but still an E-3 and after 3 years be an
E-5 a sergeant. A person who get sergeant in 3 years is outstanding it can be done I seen it happen. So
same with a corporal with 3 years could have been a sergeant if they were outstanding. A sergeant in 2
years is very outstanding never seen it but 3 years they be making $2,489 a month. Fourth year be
making $2,609. That’s $31,308 a year. A 4-year corporal makes $2,370 a month. That’s $28,440 a year
and $2,868 less a year than a sergeant. A 4-year lance corporal $2,176 a month. That’s $26,112 a year,
$2,328 less a year than a corporal’s pay, and $5,196 less than a sergeant’s pay. So a lance just lost
money if they weren't promoted throughout his enlistment or a corporal not promoted by his 3 year.
 Table 1. Pay for Enlisted

$3,000

$2,500

$2,000

$1,500

$1,000

$500

$0
E-3 E-4 E-5
2 Years $1,932 $2,138 $2,333
3 Years $2,052 $2,248 $2,489
4 Years $2,176 $2,370 $2,609

2 Years 3 Years 4 Years

Item 2: The Benefits of each Rank
Each rank has tasks and responsibilities. E-3 a lance corporal is now working to E-4 a corporal. They are
learning to lead now taking on more responsibilities. But all they must do is report to a Corporal to
ensure they are on the right track but still being watched over. They don’t have much responsibilities
but do what they are ordered to do. Pretty much just follow orders and keep up with fitness. Benefit of
a Lance corporal is not having much to do less task and just showing up following orders for the day.
Really easy for Lance Corporal.

For a Corporal he is leading now, having more responsibilities. Must mentor multiple juniors and train
them. Take accountability, pass down orders to the juniors. They are a Non-commission officer now and
must lead by example. They are now working to the rank of Sergeant. Benefits of a corporal is having
less task than a sergeant but is a Non-commission officer being trusted to lead and to complete tasks.

For a Sergeant has more tasks and responsibilities. Must do morning report that goes to the staff to
ensure everyone is accounted for. They are the leaders that assist the staff commission officers those
that are E-6 and higher. They are mentors, they train too but have more experience and knowledge.
Everything goes through a sergeant before it gets to the staff. As a sergeant I had to do every junior
enlisted pros and cons to whether they should be recommended for promotion. The staff will ask a
sergeant something and they are to know the answer or come up with a answer right away. So for a
sergeant the benefits is leadership skill and being a leader, having followers. Its good have junior
enlisted that want to be like you.

Item 3: What it takes to be Promoted and how it's different between

The rank Lance Corporal requires only 8 months after E-2 and its automated promotions if you don’t get
in any trouble and complete the require courses. So E-3 is easy just don’t get in trouble or caught. There
are 16,800 junior enlisted. That’s 54% of the Marine Corps Enlisted.

The rank corporal requirements are 12 months of being a lance corporal, completed courses that are
required, cutting score, a promotion board meeting the requirements. The course include a online class
and actually 4 week class learning to be a Non-commission officer. Cutting score include your pros and
cons evaluated by the sergeants, along with online course completed and a fitness score combined to
add up the score. A promotion board is reporting to the commander and Sergeant Major, along with
multiple staff Non-commission officers (E-6 and higher). They ask you, questions to whether they decide
if you should be promoted. There are 12,500 Non-commission Officers. That’s 40% of the Marine Corps
Enlisted.

The rank sergeant requirements are 12 months of being a corporal, Complete online and in class
courses, cutting score, and promotion board. Everything is the same but the promotion board. Its harder
because a sergeant is an important rank. They are the leaders assisting the staff and entrusted to lead
on their own. If they pass they can be promoted. There are 12,500 Non-commission officers and 1,800
Staff. Marine Corps Staff Non-commission officer is 6%.

Each rank has different requirements and requires the will to take on more responsibilities. You can be
either the 54% or the 40% and if you want to further your career the 6%.
 Percentage Of Enlisted

6%

Junior Enlisted
Non-Commission
40%
54% Staff Commission

Conclusion
My overall opinion on which rank was the best is sergeant. The pay is better and being a leader and
having followers is good a good feeling. It doesn’t take long to get the promotions just have be
motivated and have the drive to get there.

References
Pictures were from google search

https://www.usmc-mccs.org

https://www.militaryrates.com