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Officer Grade Determinations (OGDs)

What is this? If your official records contain adverse information, your service Secretary will determine whether you served satisfactorily in your current grade.

In the United States Air Force as an example, if you have a court-martial conviction, a civil conviction, nonjudicial punishment, a letter of reprimand, or a letter of admonition since your last promotion, an OGD is mandatory.  Also, if you are in the grade of Major (O-4) or above, an OGD will be processed if you were the subject of an official investigation that substantiated an adverse finding.  The USAF also gives your command the authority to initiate an OGD if your commander believes an OGD is appropriate.  Once an OGD begins, if the Secretary of your service determines that you did not serve satisfactorily in your current grade, you will be retired in the lower grade.

(Note: The Army has a similar process called the Army Grade Determination Review Board.  Other services have similar regulations).

Officer Grade Determinations begin with your commander giving you a letter stating you will be undergoing an OGD and the reason for the OGD—such as an Article 15 or Letter of Reprimand in your records since your promotion to your current grade.  Your response along with the commander’s recommendation will then be sent up the chain of command—through the MAJCOM and finally to the Secretary of the Air Force or Army or Navy for a determination of the grade you last served satisfactorily.  The staffing varies slightly from service to service.  If the Secretary finds you did not serve satisfactorily as a Colonel because of the misconduct in your records, you will be retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement pay in the course of the next 20-30 years of your retirement.  An Officer Grade Determination is a very serious matter.  Do not take it lightly.

How do I help?  While on active duty, I was a Senior Legal Advisor and Voting Member on the Officer Grade Determination Board that reviewed OGDs. The Board made recommendations to the Secretary of the Air Force on the grade an officer should be retired.  I know exactly what the military looks at when reviewing OGDs. I walk you through the entire process and help build the strongest case possible to ensure you retire in your current grade. I analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your case and target what really matters to the Board.

Read my blog article on Officer Grade Determinations here.

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DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at this site is not legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.