Al Stephenson (Fredric March)

During WW2 some service men moved up the ranks very quickly, the three branches of the Military expanded very fast leaving a shortage of NCO's, also the casualty rate was very high, leaving vacancies that couldn't be filled from a rebel-debble

Often these were battle field promotions, given his maturity, past management experience, and the fact that he had survived the war from early on, it's not at all unlikely that he could have been promoted to Tech Sgt.

Surviving basic was probably a great challenge for a guy his age. That said, no doubt he provided a lot of moral support to the younger members of his platoon and as a banker no doubt showed leadership. Soo coming out of boot as a corporal wouldn't be unheard of.

Spending 4 yrs combat in the pacific, would account for the rest


You don't have to stand tall, but you do have to stand up!

Promotions in wartime are crazy. In one account I read ("The Men of Company K" by Campbell and Leinbaugh) the company clerk was promoted directly to First Sergeant, because he knew his way around and they didn't have anyone to spare from the rifle platoons.

Besides, i always figured Al was a National Guardsman (despite the 25th ID patch) or prior service vet, so he probably was already an NCO.

"I'll do the masterminding around here." -Sgt. Stryker, "Sands of Iwo Jima"