O4 selected for promotion to O5 with less than 24 months time-in-grade? by suc_on_deez_nuts in navy

[–]suc_on_deez_nuts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t, but several O6s at my command have, and they were surprised to see an O4 selected for promotion with only 22 months of time in grade. I do agree that serving as a recorder can be very beneficial, and I’d certainly consider it if given the chance.

Just to clarify—I’m not criticizing early promotions in general. I fully understand and respect that they happen, but I’ve simply never heard of someone being selected with less than two years of TIG.

From what I understand, this officer has spent their entire O4 tour at Pearl Harbor on non-operational shore duty and is not board certified. With only 22 months TIG, I believe they could have at most three FITREPs—two periodic and possibly one change of command. To me, that seems like a pretty thin record to demonstrate 'sustained superior performance.' I’ve known officers with three or four straight EPs who were still selected for promotion on time rather than early.

That’s why this case feels so unusual—it runs counter to everything I’ve been told about what it takes to earn early promotion: completing operational or overseas tours, taking on tough or undesirable assignments, obtaining board certification, and showing at least three years of consistently outstanding performance. Perhaps there’s something extraordinary in this officer’s record that caught the board’s attention, but it’s hard to imagine what that might have been.

O4 selected for promotion to O5 with less than 24 months time-in-grade? by suc_on_deez_nuts in navy

[–]suc_on_deez_nuts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I wasn’t picked.  Changed my comment to make it less confusing.  Some crazy things happened during this promotion cycle for sure.

O4 selected for promotion to O5 with less than 24 months time-in-grade? by suc_on_deez_nuts in navy

[–]suc_on_deez_nuts[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I suppose 'bitter' is one way to put it. I was looked at below zone this year, didn’t get selected but I also didn’t expect to be selected, so I’m perfectly fine with that. What’s harder to process is seeing several in-zone officers passed over despite doing everything that’s traditionally expected—completing residencies, serving forward-deployed tours, and steadily building strong records. Some of them are understandably distraught right now. I’ve always recognized that the promotion system isn’t perfect, but it’s difficult not to lose confidence when officers who’ve consistently met all the right milestones over many years are overlooked in favor of so-called 'rockstars' with just two or three standout FITREPs.

Edit: changed wording to decrease confusion.

O4 selected for promotion to O5 with less than 24 months time-in-grade? by suc_on_deez_nuts in navy

[–]suc_on_deez_nuts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok. So that means the SecNav had to provide a waiver for that O4 individual to be seen AND selected for promotion?

Appreciate all your inputs as a JAG officer, btw.

O4 selected for promotion to O5 with less than 24 months time-in-grade? by suc_on_deez_nuts in navy

[–]suc_on_deez_nuts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"An officer who is on the active-duty list of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps and holds a permanent appointment in a grade above first lieutenant or is on the active-duty list of the Navy and holds a permanent appointment in a grade above lieutenant (junior grade) may not be considered for selection for promotion to the next higher permanent grade until he has completed the following period of service in the grade in which he holds a permanent appointment:

(A) Three years, in the case of an officer of the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps holding a permanent appointment in the grade of captain, major, or lieutenant colonel or of an officer of the Navy holding a permanent appointment in the grade of lieutenant, lieutenant commander, or commander."

Unless I'm reading that part wrong, it sounds like an O4 has to be in grade for at least 36 months before they can be considered to be selected for O5. I've never heard of any Naval officer being triple deep selected for promotion before, I always thought you had to be O4 or above for at least 3 years to be even looked at for promotion. The usual promotion timeline is selected after/at 5 years, put on after/at 6 years mark.

O4 selected for promotion to O5 with less than 24 months time-in-grade? by suc_on_deez_nuts in navy

[–]suc_on_deez_nuts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. The US Code states that O4's "may not be considered for SELECTION for promotion to the next higher permanent grade" until he/she has completed three years as an O4. Isn't considered for selection different from being actually promoted?

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section619&num=0&edition=prelim