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Marine Corps Private E-1 Junior Enlisted, U.S. Marine Corps

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Marine Corps Ranks » Private Rank • Pvt Pay • Pvt Rank History • Promotion Information

Marine Corps Promotion to E-1 Private

A Private is a Junior Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at DoD paygrade E-1. This page describes how the Marine Corps determines who is eligible for the promotion list to Private.

To reach the rank of E-1, all Marines must complete Recruit Training, or "Boot Camp", which lasts 13 weeks in either Parris Island, SC, or San Diego, CA. Until graduation, they are Recruits and essentially E-"nothings".

Upon graduation, Marines may be promoted to E-1, E-2, or E-3 depending on several factors. College credits or positive referrals to recruiters can result in automatic promotion. If the Marine was a meritorious JROTC Cadet, Sea Cadet, Young Marine, or Boy or Girl Scout, this may also warrant immediate promotions as put in writing by their recruiters. A Marine may also receive an immediate promotion for being the "honor graduate" of their Recruit Training class.

There are over a dozen ways to immediately promote past E-1 after Basic Training. Speak with a USMC Recruiter for more details. And remember, in the military, nothing is guaranteed unless it is in writing.

Want to learn more? Read about the Marine Corps' Private rank on Military-Ranks.org.