When is the best time to “opt-out” of a selection board? For many Reserve officers, the answer is unclear. Here’s what you need to know to make the most informed decisions for your career.
All officers should strive to be promotion ready, but life happens. Going up for a board that you aren’t prepared for can negatively impact your career. The process of “opting out” allows junior officers to remove themselves from selection boards they may not be competitive for, allowing a member to pass over a board before being passed over themselves.
Requests to opt-out are approved by a panel on a case-by-case basis. Reserve Personnel Management (RPM) will convene a panel that will consider the factors that have limited an applicant’s professional development. These factors could be a major life change or an educational opportunity that has delayed development in the Coast Guard. This extra year allows members time to boost their professional development and be more competitive for the next board.
Eligibility
The eligibility for Opt-Out is limited; only 10 LTJGs and 10 LTs will be selected to opt-out per promotion year. Reserve officers fitting the criteria listed in ALCGRSV 072-24 are encouraged submit a request prior to Jan. 10, 2025.
All submissions need to include a description of the factor(s) that have delayed career development. These factors must detail at least one of the following circumstances: career broadening assignment, educational assignment, personal or professional circumstance.
Possible examples to assist members considering Opt-Out:
The opportunity to submit for opt-out is not limited to these examples and members considering opt-out are encouraged to speak with RPM-1 for a record review prior to submitting a package.
- Professional Circumstances: Top performer who transitioned to a new civilian career that limited their ability to engage more actively in their drills but who expects to reengage more actively in the near future and desires to continue with a CG career.
- Personal Circumstances: Member was on maternity absence for the 12 regularly scheduled IDT drills. This limited member’s ability to take advantage of professional development opportunities and/or be as engaged as would have been otherwise. Member feels package for promotion isn’t as strong as it would have been with those drills.
- Educational Assignment: Personal education opportunities prevented the member from being able to put as much effort toward CG professional development, but they have a long-term plan to remain in the CG and refocus in the future to be competitive.
- Professional and Personal Circumstances: Good performer who has not had time to complete their qualifications in their initial specialty due to personal situations or more limited time in the Coast Guard between accession and consideration for O4. Opt-Out may provide the additional time needed to fully qualify.
- Professional and Personal Circumstances: Member who has prior enlisted time that is close to 18 years and has personal or professional demands that may impact their competitiveness for promotion. If they are selected for LCDR, they could face a retention board upon promoting to O4 and reaching 18 years, while opt-out may enable the member to complete a Coast Guard career as desired.
For the full list of eligibility requirements and submission instructions, view ALCGRSV 072-24. The deadline is January 10, 2025. Find the application template and more at the RPM Boards and Panels Home Page. For questions regarding the Opt-Out process, contact LT Arnold Uhrina at Arnold.Z.Uhrina@uscg.mil.
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