Promotion and PRF Information

[Constant Hotsauce]

Senior rate release on 9 Apr for P0423E.

[Khruangbin33]

Bump regarding Letters to the Board.  Since this topic was brought up in another thread for purposes of hastening separation, I figured I'd ask the question here for those who are trying to achieve the opposite effect.  Internet consensus seems to be that 1) most letters do more harm than good, and 2) you should really ask an O-6 for their opinion before you send something dumb.  Any wisdom out there for someone who does not have access to an O-6 in real life?

[Herkdrvr]

Board members have very little time to review records. Sometimes the paper doesn't tell the story; most times it does.

Letters fail for multiple reasons including excessive emotion, demonstrate lack of responsibility/accountability, don't address the issue(s), redundant to the record, or are far too verbose. 

If you write a letter, it should succinctly bridge a records gap the board members can't resolve without said letter. 
 

Edited October 11 by Herkdrvr

[BashiChuni]

1 hour ago, Khruangbin33 said:

 Any wisdom out there for someone who does not have access to an O-6 in real life?

yeah.

most O-6s in todays environment are fucking losers who obsess over friday shirts and patches. you're better off not associating with them.

[Skitzo]

Bump regarding Letters to the Board.  Since this topic was brought up in another thread for purposes of hastening separation, I figured I'd ask the question here for those who are trying to achieve the opposite effect.  Internet consensus seems to be that 1) most letters do more harm than good, and 2) you should really ask an O-6 for their opinion before you send something dumb.  Any wisdom out there for someone who does not have access to an O-6 in real life?

What is the context?


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[Weezer]

On 10/11/2024 at 3:21 AM, Khruangbin33 said:

Bump regarding Letters to the Board.  Since this topic was brought up in another thread for purposes of hastening separation, I figured I'd ask the question here for those who are trying to achieve the opposite effect.  Internet consensus seems to be that 1) most letters do more harm than good, and 2) you should really ask an O-6 for their opinion before you send something dumb.  Any wisdom out there for someone who does not have access to an O-6 in real life?

I wrote one for my O-5 board APZ and was picked up with an”P”…so I at least didn’t do it “wrong”…don’t know how much it pushed me over the line..  I was told one page max + attachments.  Allegedly (I have not served on a board) the fact that you wrote a letter is specifically highlighted.  I don’t know if sirens go off or something, but it’s apparently well noted when a package has one.

My letter addressed a gap in my records that occurred due to an odd CRO situation.  I explained the situation, took responsibility for not making sure my stuff was straight, and then attached an LOE that covered the missing months.

You can PM me for more info.

[Khruangbin33]

Copy all!

Quote

"What is the context?"

As a late-to-rate guy who spent a lot of his O-4 time playing catch-up and didn't spend a lot of time performing duties commensurate with his rank, I would like to add a deployed LOE to the record as proof that I'm not a POS.  The favorable contents of that that LOE were never included in any documents that are meeting my board.

Obligatory self-awareness follows: Technically, there is nothing unusual to account for or explain.  My supervisors put what they saw fit to put in my records, and that is that.  If I don't measure up and I'm not what big blue wants, then tough $h!t.  But if I am justified in wanting to advocate for myself appropriately, then I think I shouldn't leave this option on the table.

[DirkDiggler]

11 hours ago, Khruangbin33 said:

Copy all!

As a late-to-rate guy who spent a lot of his O-4 time playing catch-up and didn't spend a lot of time performing duties commensurate with his rank, I would like to add a deployed LOE to the record as proof that I'm not a POS.  The favorable contents of that that LOE were never included in any documents that are meeting my board.

Obligatory self-awareness follows: Technically, there is nothing unusual to account for or explain.  My supervisors put what they saw fit to put in my records, and that is that.  If I don't measure up and I'm not what big blue wants, then tough $h!t.  But if I am justified in wanting to advocate for myself appropriately, then I think I shouldn't leave this option on the table.

I knew a guy in a situation very similar to yours; unfortunately he did not get picked up the year he wrote his letter.  To echo Herkdrv's comments above, letters should be short, concise, and explain a gap that otherwise wouldn't be obvious to the board (boards are pretty good at seeing everything/seeing through fluff).  

  The individual I referenced above did end up getting picked up on his next look where his last deployed LOE was visible/in the system (was in a DO role downrange).  I know/knew far more people at the tail end of my career getting picked up APZ so I'd say the moral is keep working hard towards what you want.  Best of luck to you.