“You’ll know when you know.”

Future_Profile_2380

New Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2024
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8
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.“
 
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.
 
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