Navy LT considered resigning commission to attend Dartmouth?

This is complicated.

First, when he joined the Naval Academy, he takes on an obligation time frame just like an enlisted does. In this case it appears to be 5 years.

Second, we all have goals. One of his primary goals was to get a Masters Degree. An opportunity presented where he could get one at a "top tier" school. That put him into a position where his primary goal was in direct conflict with his Naval Career.

It did not however place him in conflict with his obligation time frame. He had already paid back the time he owed. So he's stuck in the choice of choosing between himself and the Navy. What do you do? The Navy will not always be there for you. He pursued his primary goal with the better long term payout. And I can't blame him for that.

Now, his CoC actually asked him what was going on. Good on them. They found out he didn't actually want to get out, but he had an opportunity which was too good to pass up, and there was a case of "who you know" which made things work.

Sec Mabus & Sec Carter have been talking about how we are losing too many people because of these conflicts for about a year. They're right. We have. I had to make a similar decision 13 years ago. I don't regret it, but I do wonder what might have been, and if I got a phone call today, I'd be wearing a uniform tomorrow, regardless the number of stripes on my sleeves.

So, what we really have here, is the Navy holding onto an "investment" they already made. As you said, they already spent half a million dollars on him. He's going to walk out the door. And there's nothing they can do about it... or... they can. They can "make all his dreams come true." And in 2 years when he finishes this grad program, he's got another 5 year payback, and 12~ years in, and over the half-way mark, sitting on LCdr, thinking "I can do 20, no sweat."

1) His picture clearly shows a SWO pin, not pilot's wings, meaning his contract was expired. Most SWOs leave at the end of their first contract.
2) His command showed interest in him for a program specifically designed to keep people like him in the Navy, which I reiterate would not otherwise happen because his contract was up, and they pushed it through because it was mutually beneficial. You would undoubtedly appreciate the same from your command.
3) Have a Snickers. You get angry when you're hungry.

So, he has already served out his commitment. If he were just getting out and not going to Dartmouth, would you have a problem with it?

To me, this seems pretty consistent with what the DoD has been trying to implement with the "career intermission" program...allow people to take a year or two off in order to pursue a personal goal, then come back to the military. This seems like a win to me...instead of losing what is, according to the story, a sharp young officer just because he doesn't want to lose the chance to go to graduate school, instead we gain a mid-level CGO with a new commitment timeline and a healthy civilian education, which will help him bring new ideas and innovations to the table. And it still costs less than producing a new officer from scratch.

A couple of things are in play here. First is do you want to keep someone, what will it take, and is it worth it piece. That's from the employer perspective. We see a lot of qualified pilots punching out to pursue commercial air jobs all the time. So there's stuff to entice them to stay. Same with other skill sets from medical to drones. The second is the SM. Here's where I weigh in to be shrewd with your own career and life. I had some bad experiences where the Navy took things away from me, could care less, etc. so I'm biased. My mental state was to acquire things that couldn't be taken away and education was my safety valve in restoring some sanity and making me more marketable. So anything that puts you in a better position for more diverse future options should be considered carefully. Is it worth it? We'll likely never know for sure but the odds say probably not if you're OK with "some less of whatever".

PO1 (Join to see),

Agreed. Find some intelligent enlisted individuals and send them instead.

Makes sense to me, you left out the point that he then has to come back in and do another 3 year term. I say awesome. We chose our place...our place is not on the dark side of the force (aka Officer) it is on the NCO side of the whole picture. It is fair and we all choose where we are going in the military. On the bright side...GOOD job getting your stuff brother.

This is nothing new I had a friend that did a fellowship at John Hopkins. In the end he will have a commitment to fulfill once he finish his Masters. Almost all officers in all branches at some point go to school full time and get their Masters as part of their career progression. This is a little unique in that he got to pick his school. But go to any ROTC unit and ask them how many active duty officers are stationed there who only job is to go to school. There are enlisted programs also that will allow you to go to school and get a degree although not at the Master level. Not sure why someones success would "infuriate" but my path would boil your blood. As an E-5 I attended a program that allowed me to get my Associates Degree then I followed that up with ECP (now SA-21) that allowed me to get my Bachelors Degree all while on active duty. I did do my MBA while working a full time job so I know the sacrifices you have made.

He's in for another 3 years and better educated - who knows seeing how the Navy worked with him to meet his personal goals he just might stay in for 20. I've know many ring knockers punch out after 5. Also one needs to remember this guy is an outlier - this is not the case for all officers. The Navy is working to retain and develop its top junior officers

PO1 (Join to see) This isn't too surprising, this was released 20 Aug 15, "The Pentagon wants to send more officers to earn graduate degrees at top-notch civilian universities, a key piece of soon-to-be released personnel reforms that could fundamentally alter the career tracks of senior military leaders."

Source: http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/education/2015/08/20/graduate-school-proposals/32063579/

PO1 (Join to see), believe it or not, the Army sends young CPT's to grad school every year, primarily law, business and logistics grad degree producing schools.