So perhaps we should raise these questions: Can you be a good CO without being a WTI? If so, is this non-statutory restriction on career progression necessary? Are we comfortable with our pool of future commanders being selected during their first fleet tour? Are we under-valuing Marines who aren't WTIs but have other valuable experience? Are there promotion tracks to O-4 and O-5 available for these Marines? Whatever the answers may be, without non-WTI paths to success that are visible, promulgated, and cultivated by all levels of Marine Corps aviation, the loss of company grade officers will continue.

Only by asking the hard questions and examining how our system operates, both officially and unofficially, can processes be adjusted to retain the qualified aviators that the Corps has already invested so much time and money in. If this is not corrected soon, the Marine Corps may find the Wing severely crippled and unable to bring its full weight to bear when the next fight comes around.

Capt. Brent "Wheeler" Kreckman is a UH-1Y Huey pilot with over 10 years in the Marine Corps and multiple deployments in the PACOM and CENTCOM regions. The views expressed in the article are his, the result of his research from official sources, and do not represent the views of the U.S. Marine Corps or the Department of Defense.

This first appeared in Task and Purpose here.