A physician assistant at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, David Tan joined the Chicago-based facility in 2018. Prior to becoming a physician assistant, David Tan served in the United States Army, completing a tour in Iraq and rising to the rank of sergeant.
Not unlike jobs in the civilian sector, rising through the ranks in the U.S. Army is dependent on one's time in service and level of performance during the service period. In some cases, a soldier's exceptional performance may earn him or her an early promotion, while a lapse in duty may cause a delay in rank change.
As an Army soldier, however, reaching the rank of sergeant typically requires a minimum time-in-service period of 36 months. Soldiers who reach this rank are classified as non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and given various responsibilities depending on current needs in the Army.
Most often, Army sergeants serve as squad leaders in charge of between 8 and 14 soldiers. Sergeants may also be charged with commanding a team, which is a smaller unit that may have a special function within a squad.
Regardless of the number of soldiers a sergeant leads, he or she is responsible for their training, preparation, and physical fitness and appearance. Sergeants also keep their soldiers in order and work to protect their lives and physical well-being during combat.
