What is the first step in determining seniority among enlisted members?

Determining the seniority among enlisted members starts with assessing their Date of Rank (DOR). The DOR is critical because it indicates when an individual was promoted to their current rank, thus reflecting their progression within the military hierarchy. In terms of military structure, seniority plays a vital role in decision-making, leadership responsibilities, and chain of command. Therefore, the member with the earliest DOR holds a higher position in terms of seniority over those with later dates, even if they have the same rank.

While Length of Active Federal Service, Total Active Federal Service, and Date of Birth can influence certain aspects of a service member's career, none of these factors take precedence over the DOR when it comes to establishing rank seniority. Each option has its purpose in different contexts, but specifically for seniority, DOR is the definitive factor.