Can anyone explain to me how an academy grad can still be a LT. after 10 years? It’s been nagging at me all week.
Well if he’s in the Navy then a LT is an 0-3 and they typically don’t make 0-4 after ~10 years depending on warfare specialty, demand, and performance.
Ensign O-1 to Lieutenant Junior Grade O-2 is automatic after 2 years unless performance issues
LTJG O-2 to LT O-3 after 4+ years depending on warfare area (some don’t have any spots for everyone to move up)
LT O-3 to Lieutenant Commander O-4 is typically 10-15 years as I recall.
LCDR O-4 to Commander O-5 - Though lots retire as O-4s after 20 years if they are moving up it is typically at 12-18 years.
Commander O-5 to Captain O-6 is 15-25 some are really deep selected.
Of course it all depends on force structure and demands for specialties. We are way too top heavy and part of that is driven by the up or out requirement for officers. They have put people into roles (program heads etc) as Captains and Admirals that prior to the 70s would have been held by LTs and LCDRs.
In 2016 there were 293 Admirals - the number of US ships is 430....tell me that makes sense.
He isn’t screening for 0-4 (LCdr). In the 80’s average guy was 2 as O-1 auto promotion to O-2, another 2 till 0-3. Then screening about 4 yrs later. Get passed twice, you’re out. 10 yrs still Lt 0-3 is on track, Canoe U Grad or not. I had 9 Canoe Grads in my squadron from same yr group, all Capts 0-3 after 10.