By: Major Bob Gordon
Imagine you’ve been married for more than 15 years. There have been ups and downs, but for the most part, it has been a fun, exciting, mutually beneficial, and fruitful relationship.
Then one day, your spouse comes to you and says, “Look, this isn’t working out. It’s not me – it’s you. You’re just not good enough. I want a divorce, but not right away. You’re going to stay married to me until our twentieth anniversary. Until that time, I expect you to act and perform your duties as my spouse, but you will receive none of the benefits and perks of being married. No date nights, no back rubs, no rewards, and no physical activity between us, unless I decide that you’re required to perform such acts. Just do as you’re told. Then, once we’ve hit our 20-year anniversary, you can divorce me.”
“But wait a minute,” you argue. “That’s not fair. After all I’ve given you, now you just tell me we’re done, that we have no future, but that I still have to do all this work for you? Forget that! I want a divorce today if that’s how you feel. There are other fish in the sea!”
“Oh, you want out now?” your spouse responds dryly. “Fine. Go ahead and walk. Oh, but do you remember that joint account we opened together back when we got married? If you walk away before we hit our 20th anniversary, you get none of it. If you stay though, you get half of it, for the rest of your life.”
“Fine,” you relent. “Can I ask just one thing though? Can you please not tell any of our friends? If I have to live like this, at least don’t let anyone know. I’d be so ashamed.”
Your spouse chuckles. “Of course I won’t tell them. Oh, but I do need you to continue wear this gold oak leaf pin on all your clothes. That way everyone knows we’re still married, but that you weren’t quite good enough to go the distance. Think of it as your own, personal scarlet letter.”
Begrudgingly, seeing no other viable options, you agree.
“Now, chin up, darling. No one wants to see a sad sack in our home. Get to work. The dogs need to be fed, and that laundry isn’t going to wash itself…”
While this is a somewhat absurd story, it is in fact exactly what the Army does when it selects certain officers and NCOs for continued service (SELCON) after being passed over for promotion. With the expiration of the Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA), under which some officers and NCOs were allowed to retire with between 15 and 20 years of service – with full benefits except for a reduced retirement pay – this will become a new norm for the foreseeable future.
It is a frustrating, painful, and anger-inducing experience, and one that we all hope we will never have to endure. Unfortunately, it does happen. Sooner or later, nearly everyone in our line of work gets passed over for a promotion. And for those of us who have experienced it much sooner than we had expected, though we may want to shake our fists in rage at the Army, at our past bosses, and at our promotion and evaluation systems in general, the fact remains that we are probably not going to change the system, and we’re going to have to endure the pain and frustration until we are allowed to retire.
So we have a choice: wallow in cynical sorrow, or make the best of a bad situation?
Trust me, I know how appealing the cynical route can be. I still catch myself from time to time falling into it because, like Anakin Skywalker being tempted by the Emperor, the Dark Side can feel so good. It is also, of course, completely self-destructive.
So you’ve been passed over for promotion and then told you have to continue to serve if you want to receive the benefits you’ve earned. How do you deal with it? I certainly don’t have all the answers, but here are some things I’ve learned as I’ve gone through this experience.
Be frustrated… privately.
Look, you’re not going to get over the feeling of rejection that comes with being passed over in a week or two, or even in a year or two. I’m basically a happy, cheerful person, but when my close friends ask how I stay positive after all that’s happened in my professional life, I just reply with my best Bruce Banner / Hulk impression: “That’s my secret… I’m always angry.”
It’s okay to be angry and hurt and frustrated. Watching your friends get promoted to a new rank while you continue to wear the same one you’ve had for years will feel like it’s burning a hole in your chest. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t feel that way. But you can’t let that anger become who you are. It’s healthy to express those feelings, but you also need to remember that this is a life-changing event; not a life-ending event.
Find an outlet for those emotions. Start a journal. Go for a run. Take up kickboxing. There are countless healthy, productive ways to process anger. Find one that works for you, get those feelings out when the frustration takes over, and then get back to the other, better parts of your life.
Manage expectations… and get used to disappointment.
Time for some blunt talk. For better or worse, right or wrong, the Army has determined that you have achieved your potential for advancement within the Army. Worse than that, rather than letting you move on with your life by retiring early, the current policy states that you’re probably going to have to continue your career as a “terminal Major” for the next three to four years if you want to earn your retirement benefits. That means watching your peers – and eventually your subordinates – get promoted over you. That means saluting friends when you’re out in public. That means a lot of private teeth grinding. Get used to it.
This is where you really start to get the feeling of wearing a scarlet oak leaf. Every time I run into an old friend or acquaintance I haven’t seen in a while when I’m in uniform, there is always an awkward moment of realization: You’re still a Major? What happened!? Then I have to explain, over and over, my story of woe. It gets old. Get used to it.
The same goes for assignments. Depending on your timeline, you’re probably going to have to move one or two more times before retirement. When it comes time to PCS, you’re probably not going to get those choice jobs in great locations. Even if you meet the exact qualifications for a number of jobs, if it’s a Joint job or a traditionally pre-command job, you’re not going to get it. As far as Big Army is concerned, you’re needed to fill personnel requirements, but you’re also damaged goods. Get used to it.
Wherever you end up though, build your own reputation. In many ways, you are free of some of the competitiveness that develops between post-KD Majors. You already know your fate. So do the best you can to set yourself up for life after the Army, while still contributing to the team.
Be a (small) team player.
Speaking of contributing to the team, remember that you are still on a team. It’s okay to be mad at the Army. It’s okay to be mad at those who contributed to your circumstances. But it’s not okay to take it out on the team that you’re still a part of. Whether you’re working on a Division staff, somewhere in TRADOC, or anywhere else they send non-promotable Majors, you still have something to contribute. You can be mad and bitter and frustrated (privately!), but you can also be a positive part of whatever team you are on.
For example, my personal experiences as a Major have also caused me to take a critical look at several of the Army’s systems. In my current job at MCTP, I’m able to use that critical viewpoint to help improve staffs across the Army; to recommend doctrinal changes through exercise reports and lessons learned documents; and hopefully to gain support from decision-makers who can make changes to those systems. It’s small, but it still provides me with some purpose in getting up and going to work every morning. And being part of that team has made all the difference.
Get help.
Failure is excruciatingly painful. It can cause depression, strained relationships, and even suicidal thoughts. It is far more difficult to endure if you try to do it alone.
For me, I would not have been able to endure the pain and sorrow I felt without my family, friends, and therapist.
First and foremost, I had to get past the feeling that my family – my wife, my children, my parents – would see me as a disappointment. I had to learn the difference between someone feeling disappointed FOR me, rather than being disappointed IN me. More than I ever thought possible, the people closest to me were the ones who helped me pick myself up after this devastating blow to my professional career, and who reminded me that there was more to my life than the Army.
My friends acted as sounding boards, and not only listened to my gripes and complaints but also asked me questions and advice about their Army lives and careers. They reminded me that, even though things did not work out how I imagined or hoped they would, I still had a lot to give.
Finally, I used therapy to help me through this process. I needed someone with whom I could speak about the insecurities I felt within my family and within the Army. Through therapy, I learned how to process and grow from failure.
At some point, we all leave the Army, and it is almost never on our own terms. I take solace in the fact that I will be able to leave the Army with a stronger support system of family and friends than I ever realized I had. Whatever your personal support system is – family, church, friends, etc. – cultivate those relationships, and use them to focus on what’s really important in your life.
Focus on responsibility… not fault or blame.
With very few exceptions, failure is a team sport. Yes, there were extenuating circumstances that led to your non-promotion. Yes, there were things that your Rater or Senior Rater probably should have done to help you out more. And yes, a good portion of the blame lies with you as well. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t matter anymore.
You are where you are. You can complain and stew about it all day, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who you blame for your circumstances. What matters is taking responsibility for where you go from here. Maybe you’re on a “bubble,” and you have a chance at getting promoted above the zone. If that’s the case, then do all you can to make that happen.
Then again, maybe you are a terminal Major. That’s ok too. Although your military life may not come to the ending you wished for, you still have the rest of your life to plan and live. Put the blaming and bitterness behind you, and focus instead on what’s ahead.
Focus on the future.
Whether it happens in the next two weeks or in the next twenty years, we’re all going to leave the Army at some point. If you’ve been non-selected for promotion, take some time to get through the pain and frustration that comes with that feeling of failure… and then move on.
We all have a lot more to give: to our families, to our profession, and to the world. Now that your Army career is ending, take a long look at what is most important to you professionally, and use your time left in the Army to focus on that. As an Engineer, I have used the last two years since my non-selection to earn my Professional Engineer license and my Project Management Professional certification so that I can transition my military experiences into a career in project management. For you, it may be that you want to earn an MBA, or learn to be a chef, or some other career.
There are other worlds than this. Go find your next one, and use your successes and failures to make it the best it can possibly be.
I have worked with Bob and I say this with all sincerity – passing him over the Army got it dead wrong. Empathetic, humble, intellectually capable, tactically sound…it’s the Army’s loss.
Excellent points Sir,
I did 22 years in the Army and I saw so many great Soldiers let go for things from failing a P.T. test, tape test, getting a DUI, pissing off an NCO, or simply not getting promoted fast enough. Looking back on my own career there were some NCO’s that deliberately tried to (illegally) stunt my career out of fear that I would surpass them. You see a LOT of shady shit over a couple decades in any field. It’s so easy to be part of the crowd and assume things but the bottom line is because of the centralized promotion system the military uses there are still those that get promoted purely because of who, not what they know or how good they are as a Soldier or a person.
Having the humility, self-discipline and character to keep a positive attitude, continue mission and serve others when the institution you’ve loved for years stops loving you back is more noteworthy than all the medals in the world and I appreciate your sacrifices, past, present and future.
I appreciate your point of view in the article. I was lucky enough to fall under TERA and transitioned to a great job in the civilian world. The points you bring out were the exact reason I shunned GS and contract work. I knew I would never outgrow that stigma. I am still in KC, when you get ready to transition let me know. I would be happy to help.
Been there; done that. I completely understand everything you’re going through. I was two-time non-select to LTC; SELCON. I knew non-res CGSC was an issue (even though I had three years of command) but I had three BQ MAJ positions. I did a forensic analysis with senior officers (2-star even spoke with me) and it came down to SRs who couldn’t write. Didn’t help the way I felt, especially when I saw peers get promoted with DUIs, rehab transfers, etc (Chris- who know/what know rings true.). I felt (and even still feel after retiring 8 yrs ago) all the emotions you are going through.
Fast forward two years. I’m sitting in my office and get an email from a friend congratulating me on my promotion. Didn’t look at the list; why bother. Sure enough. My name was there to include about 25 other multiple Passovers (one was a 6x non-select). Though initially I was a happy, it frustrated me more; if I’m good enough now, why not before. The point (besides being able to vent a little) is that the Army may surprise you in the future.
Regardless, do not overlook the long term goal for you and your family; retirement. The grass is not necessarily greener on this side. The benefit of a pension and healthcare should not be undervalued. You really can’t recognize it until you’re out.
If I can assist you in any way, I’d be happy to help.
Great article, I have been there myself, I feel your pain. But you hit the key points on how to move on. Good for you!
This is remarkably good advice. I went to the AZ board for O4, and I went through every single feeling the author describes. My advice for someone in that situation is “fight like hell” to stay in the game, talk to your rating chain, and show them you need to stay on the team through your attitude and contributions.
Any advice on PMP, and job searching, prep etc? Just like the Online ILE thing that nearly caused a divorce, I need to move on. PMP intrigues me, but not sure what steps and support I’ll need to build the checklist and criteria in the KC area to make it all work.
Email me @ christopher.l.russell@usace.army.mil I WILL help you
Great article. Thank you for this.
Well said Gordo. I say Grodo cause that’s what I call you brother. We have walked the same ground. Terminal Major is a tough rank to hold. And everyone seems to want to propegate the up or out tragedy that you are living.
That said my chain, two retired Colonels and a GS-14, supported me well and decided I still had a lot to contribute. TheyThey essently realeased me on to the Army, going places in their stead and at times speaking truth to power. Not in an unprofessional manner but in ways which when you look around the room people are surprised, approving or both. And those who are not are synchophants or idiots usually. I have a year left and proud of what I did, how I did it and know even if it contributed to my nonselect for promotion, I wouldn’t have done it any other way!
I have also earned two Masters degrees and followes much the same path to fufillment. Reaching this exsistential plataeu is essential for your family and self. And some days it’s hard and others it’s easy but you gotta do the work to make peace with what you can and accept the rest.
The fact is you were a Major in an Army when your service meant allot. You did what you were told and probably stuck your neck out a few times and did things others would or could not. And we should be proud of that.
We all get the game over sign unless we leave before getting it. It doesn’t matter what your ranks is. If you don’t leave on your own, someone will tell you it is time to go.
As I read your post, tears are rolling down my cheeks. Your story touches me deeply, and personally. You have my unqualified admiration for the way in which you’ve handled a heart-breaking situation, i.e., making lemonade from lemons. And, yes, always remember that there’s life after retirement! Lots of wonderful, fascinating, rewarding life experiences!
It took a long time for me to hang up my retirement certificate from the Army that’s how bitter I was at the end and in my career I thought others would see me as being selfish so I never spoke much about it. Eventually with the support of friends and family I have no regrets and I’m happy I made it to the finish line where less than 20% of service members ever make it to. Thank you for writing this article it really hit close to home.
Excellent article that offers hope to the rest of us who are facing similar circumstances. I am in a career field where promotion rates are low and am feeling very anxious about having to cope with getting passed over. Your article helped provide perspective on how we should really evaluate our abilities. Good luck with your future endeavors!
Good, and we’ll written, thanks for sharing. My older bro. Had about the same experience as your Dad. He made Lt.Col. and then like your Dad they said “See ya”
Bob, well written and stated. I just retired this past APR as a MAJ, I left just before my PZ board met (I was prior enlisted). I saw this same scenario several times over the last few years. Probably just like you when you got word someone got the nod during the SERB boards often everyone scratched their heads. I know I did, I was positive I was gone in 2014 but they did not pick me, they picked other guys that i thought had a better record. It is all mysterious stuff. You are right, you have to look forward and not look back or blame yourself. It is just the big green machine.
Well said Bob. As a passed-over FG officer that was not good enough for promotion, but good enough to send to Korea (I guess) I can’t say enough about the points you have made, especially in regard to one’s personal attitude. Best of luck in your new life!!
The emotional roller coaster and doubt of self worth are a real struggle. Not good enough to continue service but I can shape the future?!? Years of bad timing and doing the best in a job that the Army did not prepare you for still frustrates me. Looking for transition opportunities and focusing on what’s next instead of what’s going on now. Looking for a follow on civilian career in Houston is another layer of emotion and stress.
Motivates me to rock any job they “allow” me to continue serving in and prepare myself for the best years of my life.
Dear Bob,
A nice article.I am from a different Army.Wonderful Indian Army.I got passed over earlier than expected.My wife could not believe .It was a nightmare and difficult to endure.Everyone made sure to ask as to what happened and that it is Army’s loss.I always knew that it is not Army’s loss but a loss to the self respect of my family alone
.The point is that irrespective of the arm or army you are in,human feelings are same.You feel that the system is unfair and I will not let my kids endure this pain and try to settle them in other professions else where.Some do succeed.Life is much bigger than promotions is the realization 10 years after you hang your Spurs.
One thing is for sure Bob.You write with your heart at right place.Enjoyed reading.Call me if you come to India,a wonderful God’s own land.Regards.
Colonel PS Dhillon.
Bob, great article, I too went through being passed over. Had to grit my teeth for 4 years until I could retire. I wish I had read your article when I first got the news. I handled it pretty poorly, burned all my bridges when I left. Took more than 10 years to get over it. Now things are good. Time does heal all wounds. I am now grateful for my retirement check (a nice one) and health insurance.
I can only add to your great article is just hang on. The retirement benefits you will eventually get will give you a great foundation to do something else.
I don’t see the comparison. When you join the Army you join to serve putting the needs of the service and the country ahead of your own. When you get married you are not in a service to your spouse. Yes at times you do serve your spouse but it is not the one way street that the Army is. This is why I always tell people it is important to maintain a life outside of the Army. Because everyone gets out of the Army eventually. We already give so much to the Army. You may be asked to give up your life but they can’t ask you to give up your humanity.
Some of the most accurate advice I’ve received came from a retired Master Sergeant: “Look, every one of us is like this bullet. Some day we’ll be fired, and nothing left but an empty piece of brass and the Army will surplus that brass out and get more fresh rounds. You, me, the Cap’n, we are all just a round waiting to be fired.”
SELCON Major sucks. SELCON Captain sucks too, as I can tell you from personal experience. Good on you for sharing.
May you have a hugely blessed career after the Army.
Bob, I am a Chaplain here at Fort Leavenworth. I came across this message of ‘rising from the ashes.” I want you to know that that discouragement transcends all MOS’s. I know I have been discouraged many times as I tried to find my place in this Army Machine. I wanted you to know that you have encouraged me through this posting to remember the true benefits of this life-God, my family, and my life. Thank you buddy. Hope to see you around post. CH (MAJ) Dell Harlow-Curtis, JRCF Deputy Director of Pastoral Care.
Well-said and well-written. I had a similar career revelation after serving under a terrible commander. At the end of the day I had to accept that, as much as I loved the Marine Corps, she would never love me back. If you can accept and make peace with that it’s a great career and an incredible opportunity. I value every day I got to spend with the excellent Marines I served with in every job I had, even when my faith in the institution was challenged.
Step 1: Do not attach your sense of self worth to anything that a promotion board determines about you – good or bad. If you start feeling full of yourself because of your selection for promotion or some other accolade, just look around at some of the idiots and self-serving jackwagons who were also selected (it’s possible that you’re one of them) . . . then look at the hundreds of folks just as good or better than you who didn’t get selected for advancement. If you get passed over, do the same thing. You’ll quickly see how much luck is involved. In my estimation, it’s at least 85% luck. The rest is hard work and merit. That remaining 15% is all you can control. Good people get picked. Good people get passed over. You are never defined by what the bureaucracy says about you . . . unless you choose to be.
Any government system that is constrained by quotas, and political correctness will also have a distant or impersonal evaluation system. You can’t take feedback from such a system as personal. You know what you are worth and how good you are, or where you need to improve. Most military guys should walk out of the service with their heads held high and go kick ass in private industry. Have the confidence that you can and belief that you will. Don’t waste time with regret over irrelevant feedback from the military.
Oh, this brings up memories of my Days of Infamy as a passed over First Lieutenant facing involuntary separation! One point that got me through it all is one MAJ Gordon doesn’t specifically mention but it permeates his article; that being when in this situation your ultimate allegiance must be to yourself and your family. The Army must take second place (if that) and dealt with at arms length once receiving the bad news.
Given Selcon and early retirement were not options, the big decision point for me was whether to accept the Army’s prodding to continue my career as a reservist. At first, I wanted to do exactly this as a way to continue doing what I had learned to love, to clear my good name and get Captain bars and to get a (modest) paycheck right out the door. I was ready to go run off to a Career Counselor and get signed up!
But then I came to my senses; I was planning on going to law school and become an attorney. From personal observations and discussions with some ROTC classmates, I knew USAR/Guard duty could seriously undercut a civilian career. To be on the safe side, I retained my commission “just in case” and stayed away from reserve recruiters planning on exploring that route if law school didn’t work out.
I’d suggest folks in my and MAJ Gordon’s shoes use the same dispassionate analysis in dealing with the US Army even with something like Selcon. I’d say if you’re a Major with a few years to retirement it makes perfect sense to bit the bullet and stay to retirement. But I know this is sometimes offered to Captains. Does it make sense for a Captain to stay in for another decade when he could get out in Corporate America to make the big bucks without most of the stress and heartache? All I can say is think it through…
Two final notes:
1. By the time I got word of my first USAR Captain’s Board, I was doing extremely well in law school and had even set up an office cleaning business to put food on the table. I was so disgusted with the Army I made zero effort to get ready and my file went forward with a photo of me sporting a Regular Army 24th ID patch. The idiots promoted me! My response to that was to resign my commission 2 years later.
2. Right out of law school I acquired a job which paid me about the same as a senior active duty Lieutenant Colonel. Four years later I set up my own law firm and started making Brigadier General income with about 25% of the stress. I wish the Army had kicked me out earlier!
Chris,
I’m likely getting out in six months and have a few questions about your law career and law school experience.
I would be very appreciative if you respond.
Thank you!
Karl
Bob:
You are a success. Jedi knight (AMS), PE, and PMP. A field grade officer in the world’s best Army. You will excel in civilian life because you have a better grip on your own life than any number of “senior” officers still on active duty and strivng for the “stars.” You are in the one percent who serves something other than themselves.
I retired as a SSG after 20 years as a 11H/B 12 years in the 82nd. Most of my time as Squad Leader and Section Sgt.
Spent time running a supply room, commo room, and arms room, two years as the Force Protection/Antiterrorism Specialist in the Division G3. Just Cause, Desert Storm, and OEF.
Expected to get my E7 but didn’t,
I joined the Army wanting to make it a career and at least I did tha
This is profound article — and a demeaning, demoralizing experience most Army National Guard AGR officer endure, year after year, as their state’s control grade backlog slowly clears. After every meaningless DA board (assuming they’re selected), they sign a promotion waiver, waiting for the next 29-year MAJ or LTC to retire. Doing 8+ years as a CPT and as many as a MAJ is common. It’s a grotesque distortion of the Army’s promotion system, and results in some very old and jaded BN CDRs and staff officers.
Incidentally, I looked for Gordon’s SAMS monograph on DTIC and couldn’t find it. Interested to read his other contributions before his service loses him, and he goes on to greater and more fulfilling achievements.
I retired in 2011 after being passed over twice for O-6. Yes, it was disappointing, but I’m not bitter. I was not a perfect officer, but I did learn from my mistakes and I’m proud of what I accomplished. I’m a better person for having served.
First of all thank you for sharing your thoughts and views regarding this uncomfortable topic.
Yes, it absolutely sucks being passed over and SELCON’ed. I am there myself and struggling some of these very emotions.
So, I figured I ought to share some insights that have helped me cope while also keeping the faith till I can finally retire.
After I got the call I had to do some serious sole searching. With very a slime to no opportunity to ever get promoted, It was hard to accept my situation. After some moping around, I started to create a plan.
GO TO THE DOCTOR, start working on your VA packet and medical history for all (legitimate) health issues. No really, that VA rating will become more useful as you get older.
TAKE EVERY TRAINING Opportunity you can. Army has definitely used you, its time you use the Army’s nickel to get smart and prepare for retirement.
Pick Assignments, though challenging, but easier on your domestic life. I.e. Let go of the FORSCOM, SOCOM, etc. Yes, these assignment are THE REASON you may have joined, at least they were for me. But unlike the Army, you need to invest time with people who won’t forsake you in the long run – your family and friends. With five deployments under my belt, I had to stop and reconsider CONUS options for more time with family,
START PREPARING TO BE A CIVILIAN – Use many organizations out there to start working with mentors, coaches, recruiters, etc. to learn about the corporate and or DAC life and careers. It’ll take time to absorb all that info so earlier the start the better.
Last but not least
LET THE HATE GO – It’ll be very hard sometimes. The people responsible for your career’s demise absolutely do not care about you or your family, why waste your time hating them. There will always be that racist boss, or that ladder climbing boss with dead careers in their wake. At the end there is only one of you, so make peace with it and work on your exit.
Good luck and God Speed
There are so many things that go into getting promoted in the military. There are straight cut regulatory guidance on timelines and processes but then there are also many parts left to timing and opportunity as it becomes available to you that greatly affect your promotions the further you go. If you don’t have as much choice in the positions that you want to serve in then you may be at a loss compared to your peers who were able to select their desired positions based on their opportunity. Four big topics to discus are education, schools and courses, records (SRB), and the board you can read more on the Soldier’s Spot. There is guidance for all NCO ranks there. https://www.soldiersspot.com/post/part-1-education-how-to-get-promoted-to-sfc-in-the-army
@Christopher Siler, I read the article but the part you are leaving out is that the average NCO who is actually doing their job has very little time to pursue degrees and they will NOT get promoted faster than those brown nosing ass kissers, that’s a simple fact. So, they could shirk either some of their family time or their ‘off duty’ time they spend getting their teams up to speed and checking on their troops morale, welfare and health by prioritizing education and get promoted but then they wouldn’t be doing their actual J…O…B and, more importantly, they won’t be respected, admired and trusted by their troops because they will be seen as what they are.
Lots of people say “well, if I get promoted then I’ll be able to make a ‘difference’ and we all know that this is a fallacy. You don’t change the army, it changes you (hopefully). Politics plays a huge part in the NCO world just like it does in the Officer world and if you ignore that factor then you’re just naïve. There are always tradeoffs in every scenario.
I was promoted once in 17 years, I retired after 22 as an E6 and could not figure out why I never got promoted. I had no black marks, good NCOERs, did my job well, just couldn’t get another promotion. After 9/11 I saw so many soldiers in similar MOS’s getting promoted with less time in grade and less time in service. I even contacted a promotion board member to find out what I needed to do to get a promotion. I had one soldier come into my section who made E6 in less them three years and she had only one previous station, and here I was 19 years in service at the time. So it was frustrating. I began to believe, and still do to an extent, that I was being passed over because the Army did not need to promote me. I had an indef contract (from 1994) and had taken the REDUX (in 2003) so I was locked in for 20. Why promote me when the Army could give my promotion to another that they could keep in the service? I asked to retire after 20 and the Army kept me for another two years (for a tour in Iraq). Other than that, I have no problems with the service, but that promotion thing still bothers me (I have been retired for 11 years now).
Looking for any advice. The O5 board didn’t have a SELCON board this year. Meaning if I don’t make the list above the zone, I don’t even get to be a career major and I will be released at the 17year mark. One year away from the 18year sanctuary. I can’t believe there’s no way to make one more year on active duty. any advice please.