Continuation boards offer chance to stay Navy

[unhappycamper]

Continuation boards offer chance to stay Navy
By Lance M. Bacon - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Jan 3, 2010 8:40:33 EST

For above-zone officers, the pending promotion selection boards may not be good news. If you’re passed over a second time, you’re shown the door.

But don’t pack your bags just yet.

Officer continuation boards will convene immediately after their respective fiscal 2011 promotion selection boards. The boards allow officers in some grades and communities who have strong records, but didn’t make the cut, to stay until they are retirement-eligible. If an officer serves to 18 years, he enters a “sanctuary” provided under Title X, which governs officer careers. Under the law, that officer is allowed to stay until he hits 20 years.

And it’s certainly worth the effort. Last year, 24 of the 25 eligible staff corps lieutenants were continued. In addition, 105 of 106 lieutenant commander line officers and 92 of 94 eligible staff lieutenant commanders were continued, according to personnel officials.

There are no quotas for these annual boards, and selection to remain on active duty is based on individual merit, according to Katie Suich, a spokeswoman for Navy Personnel Command.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_continuation_010210w/