Posted on Mar 5, 2015
If I get passed over for promotion: Should I stay or should I go?
27.9K
86
42
6
6
0
I'm a TPU Reservist CW2 255A (Signal). This April is my first look for CW3, to be promoted next year if I make it. I've already decided that if I don't make it (I find out in July) that I'll put in a packet for retirement.
Mentioning that makes many want to convince me to stay.
They tell me it's a numbers game, and IF I get passed over this April, that's no indicator that I'd get passed over next April.
I have all COM OERs, except for my last one which was an ACOM from the rater only. The senior rater was made to be someone from the unit's higher HQs in Indianapolis who doesn't know me and never met me.
I have a Master's degree and two Bachelor's degrees, but no current industry certifications.
The selection rate in 2014 for SC TPU CW2s was 85%. That could be taken one of two ways....either they have a dire need for CW3s in my field, or they've got enough now, and the next selection rate will be a lot lower.
So...I'm throwing the question open to RallyPoint: If I get passed over in my first look, should I stay in for my 2nd look, or should I retire right away?
NOTE: If I do stay after getting passed over once, and I get passed over twice, I will HAVE to retire anyway...I won't get a choice. USARC brought back the 'two strikes and you're out' rule for Warrant Officers.
UPDATE AS OF 1 DECEMBER 2018 - Obviously, I made it. Thank you everyone for your input. My next promotion I've already decided is my last, whether I make it or not. I don't have to worry about it for another three years or so.
Mentioning that makes many want to convince me to stay.
They tell me it's a numbers game, and IF I get passed over this April, that's no indicator that I'd get passed over next April.
I have all COM OERs, except for my last one which was an ACOM from the rater only. The senior rater was made to be someone from the unit's higher HQs in Indianapolis who doesn't know me and never met me.
I have a Master's degree and two Bachelor's degrees, but no current industry certifications.
The selection rate in 2014 for SC TPU CW2s was 85%. That could be taken one of two ways....either they have a dire need for CW3s in my field, or they've got enough now, and the next selection rate will be a lot lower.
So...I'm throwing the question open to RallyPoint: If I get passed over in my first look, should I stay in for my 2nd look, or should I retire right away?
NOTE: If I do stay after getting passed over once, and I get passed over twice, I will HAVE to retire anyway...I won't get a choice. USARC brought back the 'two strikes and you're out' rule for Warrant Officers.
UPDATE AS OF 1 DECEMBER 2018 - Obviously, I made it. Thank you everyone for your input. My next promotion I've already decided is my last, whether I make it or not. I don't have to worry about it for another three years or so.
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Promotions
Retirement Promotions
Edited 6 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
4
4
0
Understand the anxiety of waiting for promotion board results (BTDT), but it is important to be both patient and to plan for all options. Work as though you expect to be promoted.
I don't know all the rules for reserve component personnel, but am very familiar with the "two-strikes and you're out" policy. Consider these factors:
-Will your family support your decision either way?
-Is your current civilian employment compatible with your Reserve duty? (If you don't have a civilian job, are job prospects in your area of expertise good?)
-Are you still able to perform well in your selected specialty--physically, mentally, spiritually?
-Do you enjoy the reserve job?
-Does your current commander or supervisor support you?
If yes to all five points, then sticking out for a second look is probably a good idea.
I don't know all the rules for reserve component personnel, but am very familiar with the "two-strikes and you're out" policy. Consider these factors:
-Will your family support your decision either way?
-Is your current civilian employment compatible with your Reserve duty? (If you don't have a civilian job, are job prospects in your area of expertise good?)
-Are you still able to perform well in your selected specialty--physically, mentally, spiritually?
-Do you enjoy the reserve job?
-Does your current commander or supervisor support you?
If yes to all five points, then sticking out for a second look is probably a good idea.
(4)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
1-3 are definitely yes. I'm new to this unit, and we have a new commander, so I have to take a wait-and-see attitude. The next few months will see whether or not our unit climate improves or worsens... I'm hopeful, because I'm hearing the right things from this commander...
(1)
(0)
4
4
0
Do you still enjoy it? Do you think it's time for you to move onto the next phase in your life?
Look at it outside the "up or out" mindset. Let's say you were a CW5 right now, with no possibility for further advancement, what would your course of action be?
Look at it outside the "up or out" mindset. Let's say you were a CW5 right now, with no possibility for further advancement, what would your course of action be?
(4)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
I'm in a new (to me) unit and not yet fully integrated into the unit mission. I'm reserving judgement until I have enough information to make an informed judgement.
(1)
(0)
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Fair enough. I'd lean towards "stay" then. As you get more integrated, your feelings will either change one way or the other. As you haven't swayed into the "time fore me to go" category, it doesn't hurt for you to stay. You can still do good.
When I got out, I left because of a conscious choice. It was time to move on. There wasn't any regret in the decision. If that makes sense. Sure, I would have liked to have stayed in, but it was an choice.
When you approach retirement, make sure that it's on your terms. Don't regret it.
When I got out, I left because of a conscious choice. It was time to move on. There wasn't any regret in the decision. If that makes sense. Sure, I would have liked to have stayed in, but it was an choice.
When you approach retirement, make sure that it's on your terms. Don't regret it.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
85% selection rate, I like those odds. For my CW3 selection board (active Duty) 915A's got selected at 54% and there were a lot of good guys that got passed over. If it were me, I would stay for the 2nd look and ensure that I get as much eyes as possible on my ORB, IPERMS and OER's to ensure that I had a game plan going forward for the 2nd look. If you truly love your job, you owe it to yourself to give it one more go if you don't get selected this year. Good luck.
(1)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
Thanks, sis. 85% was the 2014 selection rate. That could be taken one of two ways....either they're sucking wind and need as many of us at the CW3 level as possible, or they got enough. No way to know which.
In any case, I've got less than two months until I know....and those who've seen my OERs have said I don't need to worry about getting selected, because I will.
In any case, I've got less than two months until I know....and those who've seen my OERs have said I don't need to worry about getting selected, because I will.
(0)
(0)
CW4 (Join to see)
Have faith Brother. If you did your job to the best of your abilities, then your OERS will show it, more importantly your S/R comments. The comments are more important than the block check. If your ORB and IPERMS are dress right dress, then it all rests in the eyes and minds of the board members. They may select 50 for your MOS and the top 25 are above the rest but for the next 25 slots, 35 files are equal, 10 guys will not make it regardless of their files because there just isn’t enough slots. If that happens, buckle up and give it another go. Just my opinion.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google