What is the purpose of "up or out"?

[Whitestreak]

Originally Posted by vicky_molokh

What about the 'everyone rises to the level of their incompetence' problem? A good sarge gets promoted to a higher position, at which it is no longer as good, and then gets out.

The chances are good that if "Sarge" had a good immediate superior, he would be shifted to another position. If "Sarge" was really bad at it, he could be "invited" to become a civilian.

If this happens, someone else would step in, and the process would begin again.

The system isn't perfect - which one is? - but tends to work out for the best in the end.

[Þorkell]

If I understand correctly the US Armed Forces are about the only military force to have this policy. Do other armed forces, such as the Commonwealth ones, have people that stay in a specific job slot for years and years?

[rust]

Originally Posted by Þorkell

Do other armed forces ... have people that stay in a specific job slot for years and years?

Well, Germany's Bundeswehr does. It does not make that much sense to re-
move someone who is really good at his job from his post, especially when it
comes to posts where long term experience proves to be valuable.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by Þorkell

If I understand correctly the US Armed Forces are about the only military force to have this policy. Do other armed forces, such as the Commonwealth ones, have people that stay in a specific job slot for years and years?

The British expect to shed quite a few officers in their late thirties, at the point when they've qualified for some pension, and the number of promotion slots for higher ranks starts getting small. It's not as aggressive as the US system. They also get exception cases: I read about an RAF officer who was an experienced Canberra recon pilot, but rather over-age for it in his early fifties, at the time they were planning to phase the aircraft out. He got a deal whereby he'd get to carry on flying them until he retired at 60, but he'd never get promoted.

[Ashley]

My understanding is that you can be a career private in the French Foreign Legion.

[Peter Knutsen]

Originally Posted by Ashley

My understanding is that you can be a career private in the French Foreign Legion.

I've read that too, quite possibly in GURPS Special Ops 2 or 3.

[cptbutton]

Originally Posted by Þorkell

If I understand correctly the US Armed Forces are about the only military force to have this policy. Do other armed forces, such as the Commonwealth ones, have people that stay in a specific job slot for years and years?

From what I read years ago, in the old Soviet Army you could get stuck as a junior or senior lieutenant for your whole career if you screwed up.

[Ashley]

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

I've read that too, quite possibly in GURPS Special Ops 2 or 3.

I may have too, but I seem to recall reading it elsewhere. Looking at various sites on the web this one may illuminate the position, and the differences between the Legion and the US military:

http://www.legion-recrute.com/en/carriere.php?SM=0

[ak_aramis]

Considering that I've seen mention on the FFL's own member-sites of sous-corporals retiring, it seems likely there isn't an up or out in the FFL.

[Þorkell]

I was reading about a British soldier in WWI, he was highly decorated had a VC among other gongs. Anyway he had made it to Corporal and then he asks to be demoted to Private. Is this something that would/could happen today?