Are there retention control points for officers?

2018-12-11T18:25:51-05:00

I know that in the officer corps you must maintain an upward trajectory (up or out) but does each pay grade have a "high year tenure"?

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 11 at 2018 6:40 PM

2018-12-11T18:40:39-05:00

Used to be... Each service has an authorized end strength for each grade of officer. I do not know about the Army, but in the Marine Corps it was further broken down to Ground Combat , Flight, Combat service Support, and restricted Line. Each year the service replaces vacancies due to attrition and promotion. HQMC determines what attrition they want at each grade and within each class. A zone is designated by date of rank that includes the desired number of promotees and attrition. All officers within the zone , above zone group, and some below zone are evaluated for promotion. If you are in the current zone and passed over... that's strike one. Get passed over in the above zone and that's strike two. Two strikes and your out. Anyone considered from below zone but not promoted, gets a free pass.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 11 at 2018 7:49 PM

2018-12-11T19:49:06-05:00

Yes, except it’s called MRD not RCP. It factors our age and years of service. There is a HRC calculator if you’re so inclined. If you are two time nonselect and not SELCON, you’re out in 7 months. Not promoted to 1LT or CW2? Out in 90 days unless you have 18 yrs TIS.