“You’ll know when you know.”

[Future_Profile_2380]

Afternoon,
This is for my prior or currently serving. ( wether active duty or reserve, ng.)

When did you know your time in the military was coming to an end due to being passed up for a promotion, and what did it feel like knowing you were either going to have to EAS’D or be continued until the date comes you are legally authorized to retire ? I only ask because I asked my father this question he was passed up for O5 twice before being allowed to retire at 20 the only response he said was “ You’ll know when you know. Once it happens tho that’s when you see O4 do stuff that’s always on the news.“

 

[raimius]

Intellectually, you know when you make an assignment choice (or have one chosen for you) that you know will not be good for promotion at a critical time, or when you decide not to pursue PME/degrees that are unofficially "required" to promote.
Emotionally, probably sometime when you don't get a role you would fit well, so someone else who has a promotion chance can get it, or when you get the letter informing you that you non-selected for promotion.

In my experience, you know what the organization promotes. If you do those things, you will probably promote to at least O-5. If you do not, you either made bad decisions (eg. getting a DUI, EO/IG complaints, etc) or decided not to prioritize those things that would get you promoted.

I got married and was sent to a different airframe around the time I needed to do PME by correspondence. I chose to focus on being a good pilot in my new aircraft and spending time with my spouse over PME coursework. I got passed over largely because of that decision. That hurt my pride a bit, but in the end I value being a competent instructor pilot and having a good marriage over further promotion and AF leadership opportunities.