If you don't make O-4 in the IRR, it's probably because you don't deserve it.
That is not necessarily true, especially for some designators, like URL. Making O4 in the Reserves is no longer something one can count on, especially if you are URL. Selection Boards have left promotions on the table. URL is especially tough.
The only group that I have seen who can expect promotion to O4 and beyond are those in the United States Merchant Marine. That is the best kept secret in the entire military. If you have your shit together you will make O6.
IPs can also expect to promote. They are in high demand and there are less than 300 of them in the entire Reserve.
Why should I be burdened (as an operational support unit) with no-loads when there's plenty of other individuals who want to participate but there's no room for them at the table due to limited billets/ratings?
There are a great deal of no-loads in the Reserve, but they will end up fragging themselves when they go up for O4. To be competitive for O4 and beyond, you have to do the obligatory admin officer, operations officers, and training officer jobs. No loads will not readily volunteer themselves for the admin officer job because it is a huge pain in the ass, especially if you are in a large unit. At least this is the way it is for IDC units (ie, Intel).
If you are motivated and take the tough roles and bust your ass, you will shine. No loads are noticed and their fitreps, which are what the boards look at, reflect accordingly.
...I feel like the Reserves is a Jobs Program, where the only concern is if you show up just enough and meet the minimums, you're a super-star.
The main goal of the Navy Reserve is to be mobilization ready. Period. If you are able to do peacetime, contributory support, then that is good.
Meanwhile unit after unit is trying to support operational commitments while being weighed down by "minimalists" being foisted upon them by Big Navy Reserve.
At least on the Intel side, one must choose their units wisely. There are some that do what I feel is absolutely nothing and there are others that actually do real world work. But, like I said, at the end of the day, your job is to be mobilization ready.
If you don't make rank in the IRR, get over it.
More or less, up to the O4 level. I cannot say the same about URL. That is a tough board, even for people who are busting their asses.
O5 is a different story because you have to take on CO/XO billets, which are very competitive and usually require traveling -- at your own expense -- outside of your AOR.
O6 depends on your designator. If you are a Reserve IP and bust your hump, you wil make O6. The same cannot be said about the URL's. That is some tough shit there, especially for O4.