Posted on Feb 21, 2016
How does a Senior NCO turned Officer succeed in the era of military drawdowns?
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As the military continues it's boards to reduce numbers, it seems that many of the affected Officers were once Enlisted. I have met CPTs that have been separated from the service that did not seem to have any red flags. What is the best way to ensure job security, other than just being a stellar performer as a Junior Officer?
Junior Officers
Officer
QMP
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 5
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Diversify your record and chase programs that you are interested in. Have the Army invest in you within your branch and within programs that interest you. If you are victim to an osb as long as you have more than 15 years you can TERA, which isn't ideal but beats involuntary sep pay.
For anyone in denial, this is age discrimination. The Army actively discriminates across multiple categories, examples are congressionally mandated retirement dates, being fat, out of shape, medically disabled, etc. The sad part is in this example it isn't about who has a better record as prior enlisted would have more deployments and decorations. It is based on "potential for future service." Younger and less time in service equals more potential and cheaper.
For anyone in denial, this is age discrimination. The Army actively discriminates across multiple categories, examples are congressionally mandated retirement dates, being fat, out of shape, medically disabled, etc. The sad part is in this example it isn't about who has a better record as prior enlisted would have more deployments and decorations. It is based on "potential for future service." Younger and less time in service equals more potential and cheaper.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I'd agree, except that the Army has systematically gutted younger year groups in favor of older year groups. We're cutting captains and majors, but really only starting to look at LTC and COL. The logic here probably makes sense for how the Army has approached cutting the younger year groups, but not for the drawdown process overall.
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CPT Mark Gonzalez
This current system is crap and completely lacks talent management. If we had talent management we would also have expectation management. Right now beyond ones on ego there is absolutely nothing that tells an officer if he is exceptional or exceptionally average. If managed better someone would know if they are in the top 10% or actually at 60%. A lot of people got blindsided, due to a broke system and this is coming from a guy who wasn’t cut.
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My guess (and it is a guess) is that they have curtailed recruiting to the point where our year groups will be safe from further cuts by the time we reach O-3. The reason the cuts are being made so abundantly is because year groups 08 and 09 were so packed full of LT's for the surge that those CPT YG's are now over strengthed. I don't feel like we will run into that issue by the time we make CPT. Our numbers should be right on par so long as there is natural attrition.
If it ever where to be an issue I'd say solid OERs and qualifications (like Ranger) to set you apart from your peers. From what we've been told here at ABOLC the system relies heavily on OERs.
If it ever where to be an issue I'd say solid OERs and qualifications (like Ranger) to set you apart from your peers. From what we've been told here at ABOLC the system relies heavily on OERs.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I appreciate your optimism. I haven't seen any data to suggest a reduction in officer initial assessments, though.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) I'm new to this side of the house, sir. Just a shot in the dark with little knowledge on the inner workings.
I believe the presidential election will impact our futures more than any other factor. If Trump makes it into office we may be thrust into another surge.
I believe the presidential election will impact our futures more than any other factor. If Trump makes it into office we may be thrust into another surge.
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The Senate Ways Means for Defense are now starting to say we drew down to fast and too deeply. That is news of hope.
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