Should a junior COL be selected for Division Chief of Staff?

Short answer: No, a junior COL should not be selected for DIV CoS. Long Answer: The growth and development of a COL is the same/similar to the growth and development of a LT, CPT, MAJ, or LTC. The basic model is PME (professional military education) followed by key/developmental assignment followed by broadening assignment. For example, a LT attends BOLC (IMT/PME), followed by PL assignment (KD) followed by CO XO (Broadening). Same for a CPT (CCC, CO CMD, AC/RC), a MAJ (ILE/CGSC, BN XO/S3, Broadening), and a LTC (PCC, BN CMD, Broadening). First, this model should not be thrown away just because we are talking a COL. Second, DIV CoS is considered a broadening position in preparation for promotion to GO. Third, a DIV CoS generally will be more effective when senior to the BCTs within the DIV (DIV CoS is a former brigade CDR position). A junior COL, by definition, would not be senior to the BCT CDRs. Finally, CPT Kletzing's argument that time in grade should weigh less than merit fits into my argument as well. Merit is defined as a former brigade commander who has been centrally selected via a board process and who has successfully completed brigade command. Otherwise is the argument that a junior COL (non brigade CMD, non centrally selected) has more merit than a former brigade commander? That dog don't hunt.

Sir, thank you for the fantastic insights here -- this is excellent mentorship for me, and it taught me a lot, actually.  This particular point you mentioned is excellent in my opinion: "A junior COL, by definition, would not be senior to the BCT CDRs."  Thanks again! -- V/R, Aaron