How is Military rank among officers of the same grade or of equivalent grade determined?

• A. By the length of service since enlistment
• B. By comparing dates of rank, whose date of rank (DOR) is earlier than the DOR of another is Senior to that Soldier
• C. By the number of duty assignments
• D. By the order of promotion dates within the unit

Answer: (B)

Seniority among officers who share the same grade is determined by the date of rank. The officer with the earlier date of rank is senior to the one with a later date, because the date of rank is the official moment the promotion becomes effective and is recorded in personnel records. This date sets precedence for ceremonial duties, command relationships, and assignment opportunities within that grade. If two officers somehow share the exact same date of rank, other tie-breakers apply, but the primary rule remains: earlier date of rank equals higher seniority. Length of service since enlistment, number of duty assignments, or the order of promotion dates within a unit do not determine seniority for officers of the same grade.