In what I believe what may be the most significant change in the methods and mindset since Goldwater-Nichols warped all the services, the USAF is set to change how their officers are promoted. It is an effort, which they admit will need tweaking, that at its core is trying to better address the needs of a modern service.

The Air Force is moving forward with changes to the way officers compete for promotions, beginning with the next lieutenant colonels board in March 2020. That board will see eligible majors compete not against the vast pool of officers who could be promoted, but instead within six new categories.

The change means officers in smaller, specialized communities, such as cyber, space, or intelligence, will no longer compete against combat-experienced pilots and other airmen in the Line of the Air Force category, but instead compete against peers whose skills, career progression, and experience more closely align with their own.

More, smaller categories means promotion opportunities for each can be tied to the number of openings in that category, minimizing the potential for officers to be placed in positions where they must oversee work they haven’t ever done themselves.

It is long time that our Navy look to see if we could improve our model as well. Not saying mirror the USAF model, but are we really sure – especially given the different career paths and training pipelines – that we have a system fair to individuals and in line with service requirements?

Is it time to give it a serious look?