I hear what you’re saying, but I’ve also given job interviews to tons of officers about to or recently retired with 20 (i.e., in their early 40s) and there is literally no job that those guys could possibly have done that this guy could not have learned in six months and done standing on his head. At a certain point, talent is talent.
All I am saying is that someone who did not major in a field of study that the Army is interested in will not get a commission.
Back in 2004, when I was going through officer basic course, several of my fellow officers were reservists who wanted to go active duty, but there were no jobs for them. Their hope was to do reserves for a while and keep applying to go active duty.
Right now, with downsizing, it is even harder to get a commission. It is getting more difficult to get promoted, as well, and failing to get promoted is more of a career ender than it was previously. Some newly commissioned captains will probably be let go in the not very distant future.
Well, you said you give job interviews to retiring officers. You probably hear them saying many of the same things.