Grumble

Includes some responses from detailers. Sounds like they're even more upset.

Making LCDRs | I don't know; ask the skipper.

akulahunter

LOL

Right, so I GUARANTEE that the detailers are not more upset than I am seeing as how I now have to retire in February with three tours of EPs on my record.

FYI... AIRLANT and the Air Boss are speaking to each community over the next couple of weeks about the board results. Bottom line, for those that 2xFOS'd: sucks being you. Bottom line for guys that 1xFOS'd: we'll fix it with two new power point slides and a better explanation of your career path (so SWOs etc have a better understanding of what we are looking for) when the board meets next year.

In reality, the last four years (pilot side) they selected 282 (83.4%) in FY-12, 342 (66.9%) in FY-13, 295 (65.6%) in FY-14, and 321 (56.2%) this year with 2, 5, 19 and 20 of those selections (respectively) being above zone. Were they different numbers? Yes. But appreciably different in a raw numbers way? No... We made MORE O4s this year than two of the last three years, including FY-12 when NO ONE had an issue with the results.

So what changed? Size of the screening groups, which per AIRLANT will start to go back down next year. These guys are going to look like rock stars next year when the promotion percentage starts going back up even if they don't change a thing.

In the mean time... 64 Aviators with across the board EPs are wondering ***? Good thing my brethren with another look next year will have those two extra slides...

kb8018

Just like FITREPs, it's all about sustained superior timing. I'm finding my way to the door also after multiple competitive EPs at sea and shore tours. The only thing to me that really sucks about how this whole debacle played out is that I'm leaving AD on someone's else's terms. Other than that, it's like I told my wife, I really don't want to do the AD routine anymore, it's just not fun. I just would have been trapped after taking the DH bonus pretty much. But I'll gladly take my 25k in DH bonus, my 80k in sevarance, and my airline job that I start while on terminal and find the door, things will be much better because of it. And fingers crossed, I'll get picked up by a VR squadron on the Fall boards and still do what I joined the Navy to do - fly, not submit Powerpoints to Admirals that can't do things like run simple selection boards....

E2CMaster

I was a SH-60B pilot who transitioned to E-2Cs.

2XFOS on Active Duty on FY11 and FY12 boards. (2010/11).
FOS'd again in the Reserves in 2012.

Picked up LCDR after saying **** this and dropping to the IRR.

BUPERS makes NO ****ING SENSE AT ALL. EVER>

akulahunter

KB, Good luck! You, me and 300 of our best friends will be applying this board...

Duksrule

It is a different Navy now and like it or not you have to change with it to stay. Back when I was in walking uphill both ways they did away with the LT board and it was 85% to 0-4 and probably around 70% to 0-5. I will never forget what a department head told me back then. He said "don't get caught with a live boy or a dead girl and you can't coast to 0-5" which was pretty close to being true. You could always count on someone in your year group to get a DUI, tick off a skipper or something to take the non-selected spot for you.

Now days you have to be far more than the EP RAG pilot. Not saying it is right or wrong but now as a LT you need to have that Masters Degree, the BIG collateral duty in the command, working JPME in there, a disassociated tour, etc... and then when you check all of those blocks, they change the scorecard. Unfortunately the days of just doing your job really well are over. Also being a minority or female still helps unfortunately. I know a female LT that was DEEEEEP selected 2 years for 0-4. It is sad that being judged on merit isn't enough.

For those that are still in the fight MAKE SURE YOU MANAGE YOUR RECORD!!!!! Don't depend on admin or that 90 year old lady at BUPERS to do it. I actually had to have someone hand walk my picture into my 0-4 board because after submitting it several times my community manager called to tell me he was at the board and my record didn't have it. I had a LT that use to work for me get passed over and after reviewing his record we found that one of his end of tour awards wasn't in there. It doesn't matter what your FITREP says if the board thinks your command didn't give you an EOT award it is a kiss of death. It is unbelievable the amount of people who have never taken the time to look at the official record that the board sees. Do it early too because submitting a "package" to the board just shows that you didn't care enough to make sure your record was correct.

It's just not the Navy though. I have a buddy that was asked to be successful elsewhere from the Air Force because he didn't make 0-4. Not having his Masters killed him.

Good luck to all of you that are left....

kb8018

You guys heard anything from the SELRES board Monday for 51/56/57? Curious when they start getting the word out and if they email/call/etc....

Toonces

I applied to 2 squadrons in the past and received a very kind TBNT phone call from a CO, with advice on what I needed to do to improve my chances at an upcoming board, and I heard crickets from another squadron. The phone call took about a week. YMMV.

Tenacvols

The good news is there should be more billets. Each C-130 squadron is/has added an extra A/C. The wing is in the process of trying to get the manning increased, since the current manning levels are for 3 A/C. We've lost two FTS in my squadron to SWA and Delta, and I hear the C-40 squadron's are losing them even faster. I'd recommend rushing VR squadrons now as a back up plan to FTS. You can always reapply to FTS after becoming a SELRES, although the obligation is 3 years vice 2 years. My squadron, VR-62, is currently 3 SELRES pilots short on our manning, and I believe VR-54 in New Orleans is as well. If interested, PM me and I can get you in contact with our SELRES recruiter.

In the long run, getting out of the VP community will be a blessing in disguise. When one door shuts, another door opens. That said, always remember that big Navy will screw you over in a minute. I'd recommend signing up early for TAP so you can get ahead of the VA process and learn the benefits you'll have. Also, try to get a seat in the Ruehlin course. You're able to bring your spouse to the course and they teach you, and your spouse, how to market yourselves. Each command has a POC for the Ruehlin course, for Naval Base Coronado it was the skipper. Use the head hunter groups. They will help you iron out your resume and teach you good interviewing techniques. This costs you nothing as the hiring companies pay the fees for their services. Even if your goal is only flying, it's always good to have a contingency plan. Bottom line is you've been put on notice and now have 21 months to execute your transition plan. Use them wisely. The good news is, the economy is starting to recover and you have a skill set in high demand on the outside. Good planning and use your network for any questions/help you need.

thedus

Good luck to you guys. I was very glad I applied and got picked up in the spring before the O4 board results came out. Would like to think I still would have been competitive in the fall but I certainly think it would have been tougher. I finished active duty last month, now just waiting for my reserve orders to pop and sending paper to airlines.