Should we change how we promote Junior Officers

CPT (Join to see) I think that COL (Join to see) is spot on.

I think though that there is several things that we can do to make sure that we are promoting the right individuals. I think accomplishing the KD jobs is a much too easy answer. I know that everyone that accomplishes these goals does not get promoted, but the majority do. I believe that we need to ensure that the officers that are leading the formations that we have are the experts that we demand. Too often someone is a good bullshiter or good at politicking and therefore can mitigate their weaknesses at knowing their job. I don't know what the right answer is, but we need to make sure that as we move forward we are rewarding and promoting the right individuals.

CPT (Join to see), I think that the army is managing the required number of officers at certain levels of rank pretty well.

At the 2LT/1LT level, officers that successfully graduated Military Academies/ROTC/OCS are put into the Officer management system to fill the needs of the army. At the earliest stages Officers are rated against each other, hence the branch choices and duty stations they receive prior to commissioning. The best of the best get put in the most demanding assignments in locations they prioritized on their OML. As young LTs they are confirming / denying their abilities to lead in some of the most confusing and arduous situations. Look at the last 13 years of combat.

Even still the officers are being rated against their peers when it comes to promotion. Not everyone makes captain and although most do it is because at the company grade levels they need fairly high numbers to fill the requirements of the force. It is at the company grade levels, that officers that display potential are put into command vice other staff positions. This small step slowly wickers down those who will be eligible for higher level command in the future. (a little different when you speak about KD; MI folks for example have the BN CDR/DIV G2 tracks)

All of your OERs up through CPT will set you apart. There are only so many ACOMs and COMs and the top 50% will continue to be cut in half as they earn greater rank. You are a Captain right now. I know you know who your best LT is and who is your least best, right? your battalion commander will also look at this the same way.

Having said all that. I think that LTs should probably stay in position a little longer like they did just before I came into the service. 48 months to CPT. I find it very important for LTs and even CPTs to understand 1. Leading at the PLT level, 2. How a Company Operates 3. How a Battalion Operates. I don't think you can learn all of that if you are promoted to a CPT in like 3 years because you spent almost a year at your respective Basic course and merely 2 years after arriving at your unit you are going to your Advance course. Do you think 2 years in a couple of different jobs is going to prepare you to be a great company commander?

Being a Platoon leader is great it is the developmental jobs that are done after that is what is going to set you apart.