It probably is. The problem with RIFs, as you know, is differentiation. In an Army filled with combat vets, combat experience in and of itself isn’t much of a separator among peer groups. That’s when the education, overall service records, difficulty of previous assignments, etc come into play. While the board attempts to be fair with their decisions, it’s staffed by humans reading ORBs and OERs. Problems will occur and mistakes will be made. I’m not trying to sound cavalier about it as these are people’s careers, but I challenge anyone to come up with a better, more equitable solution.
It was ever thus.
My last promotion was in 2006 & the system which allowed me to line up my OERs online, IMO improved the fairness of the process. I know the reviewing officers have to read & recommend with seconds to spare, but it’s better than it was with paper files.
Now....photo, APFT, weight, schools - that should be in order from the get go, although deployment can interfere with schools.
Anyway, I’m retired but I still think about those who have to survive in the system. Wish the media would stop using the term `pink slip’ but it’s just their jargon.