The 'board of officers' referred to could well be the promotion board that passed him over. I should have clarified that in the original post.
Can an officer in the inactive reserve be granted a promotion? Kerry's status after his separation fromactive duty was as an inactive member of the USNR. He had to attend no drills or functions. It is hard for me to see how anymember serving in the inactive reserves could be considered for promotion. I know my cousins came home from Nam as buck sgts. They kept their uniforms in the closet for four years and received their HDs as buck sgts.It's hard to believe that a Navy promotion board would consider an inactive officer. On what would they base their decision? There may, and given Kerry's luck, probably is an explanation. I'd like to hear it.