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Continuation boards offer chance to stay Navy

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.

The key, she said, is to communicate with the board. The promotion board will not forward your package to the continuation board. Therefore, if you are above zone, meaning you were already passed over by a previous board, and think there is a chance you won’t get selected, send your package to the continuation board.

Who’s eligible

A number of officers who are twice passed over or will hit statutory limits for years of active service prior to promotion are eligible for continuation, as are those needing more time in grade to retire in the next higher grade. They include:

• Lieutenants in the Chaplain or Nurse Corps.

• All lieutenant commanders (line and staff).

• Permanent limited-duty officers (lieutenant through commander) and chief warrant officers.

Details are available in NavAdmin 356/09.

Apply for continuation

Mail packets for consideration by continuation boards to:

Navy Personnel Command

Customer Service Center (PERS-63)

President, Active FY-11 (insert your grade; Line or Staff Corps as applicable) Continuation Selection Board

Board (insert number from the fiscal 2011 board schedule)

5720 Integrity Drive; Millington, TN 38055-6300

Verify receipt of your package at www.npc.navy.mil/boards/activedutyofficeror call the customer service center at (866) 827-5672.

Fiscal 2011 selection boards

• Captain (Line): Jan. 12

• Captain (Staff Corps): Feb. 10

• Commander (Line): Feb. 9

• Commander (Staff Corps): March 23

• Lieutenant Commander (Line): April 6

• Lieutenant Commander (Staff Corps): May 11

• Chief Warrant Officer 3, 4 and 5: June 15

Source: Navy Personnel Command