For those of you who recently found your name on the 2013 promotion list, congratulations! For those who did not, take heart & read on…

Not getting promoted is disappointing, but it does not mean you are not a good officer. Most officers eligible for promotion are recommended by the board but fall below the cut-off line determined by the success rate. Promotion is a very competitive process. Success rates have been level for the past few years, but recently tightened. For example, the success rate for temporary O-5 has been 43%, but was 26% for 2013.

Begin by reviewing the score sheet and comments in the Confidential Documents section of your eOPF; this gives you direct feedback from the board that reviewed your records this year. Ask your personal mentor and/or PAC mentoring subcommittee to review your records and provide feedback. Note: officers who were deferred or fall into the lowest quartile of scores are required to have counseling with their CPO/PAC. This is not punitive in nature, but intended to identify areas for improvement and possible solutions to help you succeed in the future. You have the option of granting your mentor temporary access to your eOPF to review your records. Discuss this with them and obtain their SERNO, as you will need this to grant access. In your Secure Area, click on the OPF Activities Menu; then select “Grant Limited Access to Your OPF”.

For more information concerning the promotion process and preparations, including actions to take if not promoted, go to the Promotion webpage at: http://dcp.psc.gov/CCMIS/promotions/promotions.aspx.

Each year, some officers who are above the successful line are removed from the promotion list for failure to meet one or more administrative requirement:

• Meet and maintain basic readiness
• Current valid license on record (if required)
• All required Annual COERs on file
• No current or pending adverse actions

This is entirely preventable on your part. Pay attention to the dates your BLS/APFT/professional license expire, and work with your agency liaison to ensure that all COERs are completed on time.

For all documents that you submit through the eOPF fax line:

1. Write your PHS number in the upper right-hand corner of all pages.
2. Print the fax confirmation sheet, make sure that it indicates successful transmission and keep it.
3. You should receive an email confirming that your document has been received/indexed, and should be visible in your eOPF within 24 hours. Wait at least 24-48 hours after receipt of the automated email, then go into your Secure Area and verify that the document is there, legible and accurate. If it is not there or there is another problem, email phsopffix@hhs.gov and provide supporting documentation as soon as possible.
4. BLS and APFT documentation is a 2-step process. In addition to faxing the document, you must enter the information into Direct Access using the directions provided on the Readiness Checklist (http://ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/Readiness/Basic_Readiness_Checklist.pdf). Failure to do so will result in not meeting basic readiness standards.

Officers who were not promoted due to failure to meet basic readiness must use the Readiness Assistance Form at: http://ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/readiness_assistance_form.htm to resolve this issue. Under “Nature of Question”, select “Promotion”. The Promotion Coordinator cannot make changes or amend the promotion list without notification from the Readiness and Response Program, DCCPR, that the officer met basic readiness at the quarterly check in question.