Promotions timeline to stay steady

Despite the 40,000 soldier drawdown in the active duty Army by 2015, promotions are scheduled to continue at a normal pace, according to the Army Times. [Source]

Being a YG2009 captain, I won't be considered by next year's Officer Separation Board, which plans to cut 2,000 captains from year groups 2006-2008 and majors from year groups 1999-2003. That's the good news. [Source]

The bad news is that promotion to major would come one year later, compared with earlier year groups. "During the coming drawdown, the Army will move the average pin-on point for promotion to major from slightly less than 10 years of service to about 11 years." [Source]

For me, this means I'll get looked at for a below-the-zone promotion in 2017. If I'm not one of the 10% or so to get selected for a one-year-early promotion, I'll be considered for a "primary zone" promotion with the rest of my peers in 2018.

In a sense, that's a good timeline for me. Hopefully, I'll finish up my required command time in summer 2015, find some interesting, broadening assignment to fill the rest of my time in Korea, and still have time to pursue somthing else before the 2017 board.