Are there any/many USMC GO aviators who a) understand the root problem, and b) have the clout with their peers and superiors to actually do something about it (read: affect resourcing decisions)?
I'll leave the legalities up to an expert, but I thought there was some part of title 10 that says twice passed officers "shall" be separated. Even if that's not specifically the case, above zone promotions are exceedingly rare and usually involve special circumstances like a GO recommendation. Further, the continuation message was crafted to specifically only select captains with less than 15 years service so that a three year continuation wouldn't allow them to reach sanctuary at 18 years. That seems to broadcast their intentions pretty clearly. Basically, anyone that accepts continuation hoping to make major is fucking high.
There is no grey area, only the false information disseminated by HQMC. Call separations, and they will tell you. I posted the email I received last year on this subject with the direct quote from title 10 saying continuation has to be to retirement or it's still involuntary separation. It's in the 2xFOS thread, and I emailed it to pretty much everyone I know.
Yeah I get that. I should have quoted Randy in my reply. I was responding to his SelRes promotion comment for continued Marine Captains.
The person I spoke with over the phone at separations. I was initially given the party line that declining continuation means no involuntary separation pay. I asked to get the appropriate passage from title 10 or directive in writing. They said there was a meeting that morning and to call back. When I called back I was told they had just talked about it and it would still be involuntary separation, but not to spread that around. Maybe because they weren't sure, maybe because that's what they were told to say.
