A future in the Army?

Now that my command time is done, my thoughts are turning to the promotion board. How likely am I to make major?

As a Year Group 2009 officer, my "first look" is expected to be within a year. While there's still a non-zero probability that I can be selected "below the zone," it's pretty safe to assume that I will have to wait until the 2018 "primary zone" board.

Yet even then, how much chance do I have to be selected? As a company commander (the one "key developmental" job for logistics captains), both my evaluations were "center of mass" with no enumeration (e.g. "#2 out of 10"). That's not good.

At this rate, my chances of selection do not look that great. Yet how hard am I willing to try to get an "above center of mass" evaluation? I tried really hard my first year in command, but the fact was that I just didn't know what was important to the brigade commander. It seems like wasted time.

My last six months were consumed by property book issues -- still a good choice, in retrospect, considering I was on orders to Hawaii -- that left me with little time for other things. I reached all my goals, and managed a few accomplishments other captains could not (CJLOTS, no property liability, and no IG investigations). Nevertheless, in looking back I can see that I failed to distinguish myself to my new brigade commander.

Part of me would be happy to be separated from the Army. At more than $75,000, the separation pay would more than compensate for any "wounds" my ego would suffer. And I'd like to think I could get a federal job fairly easily.

On the other hand, I'm also a competitive person, and I resent the stigma that non-selects are facing. I wouldn't mind the Army not needing me (I figure I only got in because the Army was desperate at the time), but I wouldn't want to be treated like I had some disease. If I don't make it, it wouldn't be because there was something wrong with me -- my service has been honorable -- it's that the Army tends to pick its winners from the beginning.

In the coming months, I'll be taking a hard look at what I want from the Army -- if I should continue on the career path I'm currently on, or if there's a better way I can contribute. I like the Army because I get to learn new jobs all the time and I feel needed, but there might be a better matching career field for me somewhere out there.