Well I retired in 2012 so that may be true about the TSgt's having to wear kneepads these days but when I was in, you could test to MSgt before you'd need a Senior Enlisted and Commander's endorsement to get SMSgt and Chief.
The reason I never decided to pursue past MSgt: I refused to play the game of see who I could fuck over for favors during the last 4yr enlistment.
Well I retired in 2012 so that may be true about the TSgt's having to wear kneepads these days but when I was in, you could test to MSgt before you'd need a Senior Enlisted and Commander's endorsement to get SMSgt and Chief.
The reason I never decided to pursue past MSgt: I refused to play the game of see who I could fuck over for favors during the last 4yr enlistment.