High retention leads to promotion board delay by Tech. Sgt. Shawn J. Jones Air Force Public Affairs Agency 9/25/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced they will delay the Line of the Air Force promotion board for captains commissioned in 2005 from its anticipated December 2013 date. Air Force officials made the announcement Sept. 25 as they released the 2013 Selection Board Schedule. Record retention rates coupled with Defense Officer Personnel Management Act restrictions have resulted in a delay that will move this board into 2014. The Line of the Air Force board, which does not affect judge advocates, chaplains or health profession officers, will be pushed back approximately nine months. The major's board for judge advocates will also be delayed for scheduling reasons, but this delay will not affect projected pin-on dates. Public law prevents the Air Force from carrying a surplus of officers in grades of major, lieutenant colonel and colonel. "If the Air Force were to continue at the pin-on rates common over the past several years, the total number of majors would surpass the total allowable by the law," said Lt. Col. Emi Izawa, chief of the Military Force Policy Division. Izawa said the delay in the 2005 year group's promotion board does not drive a later pin-on date -- high retention did that. Delaying the board moves it closer to the start of that year group's pin-on date so the Air Force can comply with Office of the Secretary of Defense policy and congressional expectations. The 2014 Selection Board Schedule will be released in the summer of 2013. "The delay is a product of high retention rates and public law and not related to force management programs or budget cuts," said Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones, Air Force deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services. Jones emphasized the board delay will not make the affected officers less competitive for future promotion consideration throughout their career. For more information about promotion board schedules and milestones, go to https://mypers.af.mil under active duty officer promotions.