In 2012, candidates needed either one percent or 500 signatures (whichever was lower) from Democrats in each of the state's 50-plus congressional districts. They had two months to do so -- which, particularly if you're hoping to keep expenses under $5,000, is a time crunch. Other states work similarly; some don't.
A contemporary definition of rank-and-file is prevalent in labor union vernacular when referring to general membership and not union leaders. Rank-and-file generally means the employee doesn't occupy a high-level position within the organization.
Army Officer Ranks and Promotion Requirements. Time in Service / Time in Grade. Army promotions are controlled by time in service (TIS) and time in grade (TIG). Time in service is the total accumulated military service and time in grade is the amount of service in the current paygrade. For officers, TIG requirements are set by federal law (United States Code: Title 10) while TIS can fluctuate based on needs of the Army. Army General Officer Promotions General officers are known as Flag Officers.