@RedDeerGuy1 If you are asking if an officer has to come up through the ranks of the enlisted prior to becoming an officer, then the answer is no. Not in the USA. If you are asking if an officer can promote a soldier more than one rank at a time, the answer is yes, under certain circumstances. In the same frame, asking if an officer can reduce a soldier more than one rank, the answer is sort of. Typically there are non-judicial and judicial punishments in the military. In the US Navy for instance, there is something called the Captain’s Mast. That is a non-judicial process for dealing with low level transgressions. The offending sailor is brought before the Captain who hears the charges. The sailor gives his version and the captain renders his decision. There are limitations on what the captain can do typically. Reduction of one rank, confinement to ship or barracks, things like that. The judicial punishments are for more severe cases or transgressions. These are called Courts Marshalls. This is effectively the military version of a court hearing. There is a prosecutor and a defense, but there are 3 judges and no jury. The case is presented and defended much the same as in a civilian court, but the judges have basically no limitations on their rulings. They can reduce multiple ranks, give time in the brig, discharges from the military, etc. I’ve even seen them take action against witnesses.