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I just read this article about officer promotions and how they should be based on merit more than seniority. I say it is about damn time. I have seen some officers that should have never made it to CPT, some of which I see here. Currently, promotion to CPT is pretty much treated like promotion to SPC. If you just don’t mess up horribly you will get CPT. It doesn’t matter much or what you have done. More than 90% of LTs make CPT. That is foolish at best. It just stumps me how the military placed that much trust in them to be a CPT. But for too long it didn’t matter what you did. I recall when I was eager to make CPT. I wasn't the most senior LT but I had the most training and qualifications. I was in the Guard but I was on par with my active duty component officers when it came to professional military education. So I got to see others pick up CPT simply to their seniority to me in being a 1LT. I still don’t understand how that makes them a better leader. When I asked why I got an answer saying that it wasn’t my time. WTF, so for the past few years I went to all the right schools and volunteered for anything they needed only to get, “it’s not your turn so you have to go back in line.” You could imagine how pissed I was. I couldn’t take it much more. After I got CPT, without a command I was done. I didn't want to play their stupid games anymore.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2016/06/09/secdefs-personnel-reforms-aim-reshape-officer-career-tracks/85660638/
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2016/06/09/secdefs-personnel-reforms-aim-reshape-officer-career-tracks/85660638/
Promotions
Officer
Development
Success
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 23
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The short answer is yes. While impatience is typical of any junior soldier and there are expectation issues that have nothing to do with the process, nevertheless the officer promotion system is in need of reform for those issues are magnified the longer you stay in. Start with MAJ Don Vandegriff's, US Army (Ret) "Path to Victory" and go from there. It's the only personnel book I read as an AG weenie but it's a very good read, addressing the many shortcomings of the industrial-age personnel system the Army uses.
He's very critical of the officer evaluation and promotion system and I tend to agree. His main points is that It's highly centralized (and thus inherently flawed), it has too many officers, and it doesn't promote free-thinkers who are adept at war-fighting skills.
He's very critical of the officer evaluation and promotion system and I tend to agree. His main points is that It's highly centralized (and thus inherently flawed), it has too many officers, and it doesn't promote free-thinkers who are adept at war-fighting skills.
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The higher ranks have more requirements like military education. I have seen people not being promoted to Major or LTC for not completing CCC, ILE and AOC. This more a Reserve and National Guard issue were schooling is more a volunteering when to take versus kind of programmed on active duty.
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When you say some of them you've seen here (RP), how can that be unless they are officers you've personally served with?
People on forums such as this one (which is not a part of the military and does not include UCMJ restrictions and the expression of political, religious or other beliefs while in uniform) often disagree with one another, but agreement or disagreement on something has no bearing on qualification for a given rank.
There are many people here at all ranks that share my left-of-center moderate political and totally atheistic religious views, and far, far more who oppose them, but I would never suggest that someone being conservative, or religious should disqualify them for promotion or authority unless they show that they would violate the UCMJ or civilian law because of those beliefs. For example, there is nothing to suggest that being for or against abortion rights should disqualify someone for a rank or position, but someone who threatens violence against abortion providers is another story.
People on forums such as this one (which is not a part of the military and does not include UCMJ restrictions and the expression of political, religious or other beliefs while in uniform) often disagree with one another, but agreement or disagreement on something has no bearing on qualification for a given rank.
There are many people here at all ranks that share my left-of-center moderate political and totally atheistic religious views, and far, far more who oppose them, but I would never suggest that someone being conservative, or religious should disqualify them for promotion or authority unless they show that they would violate the UCMJ or civilian law because of those beliefs. For example, there is nothing to suggest that being for or against abortion rights should disqualify someone for a rank or position, but someone who threatens violence against abortion providers is another story.
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CPT Russell Pitre
First, one's conduct on a forum would mirror their conduct in person. When an CPT is pulling rank on a forum like this and is dressing down soldiers because he is so smart is not the way i see good leaders interact with others.
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LTC (Join to see)
CPT Russell Pitre - I've never seen anyone "pull rank" on a forum, and I would agree that would be a great example to go by.
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CPT Russell Pitre
LTC (Join to see) - I have seen one person do it more than one. When he loses an argument he just goes off about some rubbish and when he is called out he tries to say that he is just smart and that they don't understand. It is the same in the private sector. If you are here long enough you will see it. And maybe if you play your cards right they will end up blocking you when you called them out for doing so.
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LTC (Join to see)
CPT Russell Pitre - I'm always in the thick on discussions against conservatism and religion, but when I see personal attacks against me I just block the person in question. Being a Major is high enough that not too many people try to "dress me down", so there is also that.
I have seen a some very obnoxious behavior toward junior enlisted who happen to be liberals or atheists.
I have seen a some very obnoxious behavior toward junior enlisted who happen to be liberals or atheists.
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