What is the time in grade and time in service pin-on requirement for SFC?

• A. 36 months TIG / 7 years TIS
• B. 24 months TIG / 9 years TIS
• C. 36 months TIG / 9 years TIS
• D. 36 months TIG / 11 years TIS

Answer: (C)

Time in grade and time in service set the minimum experience needed before a Soldier can pin on the rank of Sergeant First Class. Time in grade is how long you’ve held the current rank, so for E-7 you need 36 months in the rank just below, Staff Sergeant. Time in service is your total time in the Army (including prior service and National Guard time). For pinning on E-7, you typically must have at least 9 years of total service. So the combination that matches these requirements is 36 months in the current rank and 9 years of total service. The other options either show too little time in grade or a different total time in service, which do not meet the standard criteria.