The Army plans to promote 50,821 soldiers to various ranks of sergeant during 2000, an amazing figure considering that the 1990 Army promoted 44,000 soldiers to various grades of sergeant (and was 40% larger than the current Army). While the promotions are needed to fill gaps in the enlisted leader ranks, critics charge that promoting a soldier to staff sergeant does not automatically mean that he has the same skills as a 1990 staff sergeant had. --Stephen V Cole