Document: Unrestricted Line Officer Promotions

July 22, 2014 8:07 AM

The following is the July white paper, Unrestricted Line Officer Promotions: Best and Fully Qualified? by Capt. Robert Tortora, USN.

From the document: After more than thirty years of competing as a group, it has become increasingly evident that the combined group of communities in the [Unrestricted Line] competitive category can no longer compete on an equitable basis to meet the needs of the Navy. Differences in authorizations and retention differ significantly across the URL communities whereas promotion timing and opportunity are the same within this competitive category. Changes in force structure, relative size imbalances of the URL communities, and differing community milestones, career paths and timing have overshadowed reasonable consideration as a group and surpassed the ability of the promotion system to deliver officers from these communities in appropriate ratios to meet their separate requirements and the mission requirements of the Navy. It is past time for a periodic review of the URL competitive promotion category.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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