From: Deets, Ned RADM NETWARCOM
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 15:24
Subject: Commander Operational Leadership Screening
IW Leaders:
I'm pleased to announce the establishment of the IWO Community's first "Commander (O5) Operational Leadership Screening Board" (formal term for Milestone) which will occur in conjunction with the annual IDC Commander and Captain Command Screening Board, September 2011. This screening is an evolutionary step in the formal screening processes I first instituted two years ago.
Once screened for Operational Leadership, each officer will be assigned an Additional Qualification Designator (AQD), and become eligible to serve in one of 24 Strike Group, Numbered Fleet, and Fleet Commander assignments. Successful screening will also make officers eligible for Commander Command screening, nomination for other Commander Leadership assignments (i.e., Executive Officer of O6 Command, NIOC/FIOC Department Head, and specific Joint Duty Assignments). Officers will be assigned an AQD upon completion of Operational Leadership tour.
The screening process will be built to a "three-look" model commencing in the year of selection to O-5, and ending as each Commander becomes eligible for Commander Command screening. I will also sign correspondence codifying the list of screened IW command, operational leadership (Milestone), and Joint billets, which will be maintained and managed by our Millington team. Commanders who are currently serving in, or have completed, the selected billets described above will be considered to have successfully screened for Operational Leadership, and will be assigned the appropriate AQDs.
This initial "Milestone Screen" will ensure that all CDRs and FY-12 CDR selectees have the opportunity to screen (all CDR's who have not yet screened for O6 promotion). Specifics of this board panel, and a list of eligibles is forthcoming, and will be posted to the NPC webpage by 29 July.
The planning process leading to this Course of Action was lengthy and well-studied by a team composed of our people at NPC and BUPERS (Detailers, OCM) and a representative panel of Captain COs. It enjoys the full support of our IW Flag Officers.
Additionally, based on the need to place experienced Captains in command, and to allow our distribution system to react to and fund an executable command slate, we have adjusted the year of first eligibility for CAPT CMD screening one year to the right. This will allow Captains to complete an initial 24-36 month tour in grade prior to assuming O6/Major Command. The junior Pay Year Group (PYG) to be considered at the Sep 2011 Board will be PYG 10, with CAPT Carson as the junior being considered. CAPT Barksdale will be the senior considered.
Please direct questions to Captain Boogren and our detailing team.
Have a great weekend. Best, EHD