LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: OFFICER PROMOTIONS AND TRIBUTE TO KELLY; TIMES HAVE NOT CHANGED FOR BETTER

To the editor:

Times have changed, as Peter Kinder's article on US Army officer promotions says.

I was a member of two Naval Reserve Promotion Boards in Washington, D.C., about one or two decades ago, and (ital) then ) there was never any mention of an officer's skin color -- only his abilities in the various aspects of his duties. Of course, Army and/or Air Force Promotions Boards, and officer evaluations are somewhat different in each case, but not that much back then; only the best were promoted.

But an officer's abilities in a number of pertinent things MUST be the criteria for promotion -- or the whole local outfit is at risk both in performance of duties and morale, which also affects a unit's over-all ability.

The only rule of that sort was a promotion evaluator was not allowed to judge an officer he knew or served with, because friendship might enter in.

The system I served under was not perfect, but close to it, although some annual Commanding Officer evaluations of the officer might be based somewhat on mutual friendship -- but that was usually obvious and we took that into account.

Only the best must be promoted, and an officer's historical background (like skin color) must be totally ignored. If otherwise, as not seems to be the case, that part of the military will go down and down and be less effective.

CHARLES E. STIVER

Captain USNR-Ret

Cape Girardeau