I was no stud; no fast tracker. Obviously TheEvanCat's dad isn't either. Maybe that's what you are angling on? You want to be one of these individuals who hits all the promotions as early as possible? Sure, I can buy that. Afterall Lieutenant Decatur was promoted to Captain in the Navy after one raid at the age of 25. By the time he was 28, he was a commodore and commanded a squadron of frigates. But that was the 1804. The Navy has changed a little in the past 200 years.

In order to be commissioned in the US Navy one must complete a 4-year college program someplace, at some point. Assuming you graduate from HS at age 17, which is possible. My wife and I both graduated at age 17. Then spent the next four years in college, whether in ROTC or a Military Academy, you would be 21 upon graduation. Promotion on the fast track is 18 months from Ensign to Lieutenant Junior Grade and another 18 months from LtJG to Lieutenant (O3). So, that person would be 24 years old as a Lt in the Navy. The fastest a Lt. could be promoted to Lt. Commander is 4 years. So, then a 28 year old Lt. Commander for all of a few months until the birthday hits. But that is unfortunately unrealistic. It is a rare individual who hits all those thresholds. The norm is 22 at commision and promotion to full Lieutenant four years later, not three; 26 Yrs old as a Lt. Then promotion from Lt. to Lt. Commander can happen anytime between 4 and 9 years. 6 or 7 is the norm, which would put this person at Lt. Commander at age 32 or 33. From Lt. Commander to full Commander another five to eight years; age 38 - 41 and then another five to eight years to Captain; mid to late 40s. Once they hit Admiral, the promotions are political and can come fast for others, but stall for most. I knew General David Petraeus in 2001-02 when he was a Brigadier General (O7). He made it to 4-star General (O10) in just 7 years. He was a fast tracker and was a 4-star general at age 54. He retired at age 57. I know some generals who hang around well into their 60s, but like most fast trackers, to must exposure to the lime light will burn your butt.