Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog

How to Be Considered for Promotion if You’ve Been on Active Duty for Less Than 1 Year

Posted on December 27, 2025 Updated on December 20, 2025

The FY27 promotion board NAVADMIN was released. If you are in-zone or above-zone for an upcoming promotion board but you’ve been on active duty for less than 1 year, you should read paragraph #8:

8. In-zone and above-zone eligible officers in the grades of chief warrant officer 2/3/4, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, and commander, whose placement on the active-duty list is within one year of the convening dates of these boards, are automatically deferred unless they specifically request to be considered. The officer may waive this deferment and request consideration for promotion, in writing, emailed to NPC_Officer_SELBD_Elig_Waivers.fct@navy.mil or mailed to:

Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-802)

5720 Integrity Drive

Millington, TN 38055-0000

For in-zone and above-zone eligible line officers in the grade of commander, the request must be received by PERS-802 not later than 2359 CST 15 days prior to the convening date of the respective board. For in-zone and above-zone eligible staff corps officers in the grade of commander, in-zone and above-zone eligible line and staff corps officers in the grade of lieutenant commander and lieutenant, and in-zone and above-zone chief warrant officers, the request must be received by PERS-802 not later than 2359 CST 30 days prior to the convening date of the respective board. Specifically:

Selection To – Convening Date – Due Date / Time

Staff Corps Captain – 10 FEB 26 – 10 JAN 26 / 2359 CST

Staff Corps Commander – 4 MAY 26 – 3 APR 26 / 2359 CST

Staff Corps Lieutenant Commander – 4 MAY 26 – 3 APR 26 / 2359 CST

What does this mean and why would it apply to you? Maybe you had prior service, you went to medical school, and now you’re a senior LT who is in-zone for LCDR right away. Maybe you did a civilian NADDS residency and you are in-zone right away for LCDR. Maybe you are a direct accession with entry grade credit for your experience.

If you believe you are in this position, and you wish to be considered for promotion to LCDR, CDR, or CAPT, do what it says above. Send the letter simply requesting this. Here is the template: