Spot Promotions

Temporary (Spot) Promotion to Lieutenant Commander, Commander and Captain
(Not to be confused with "Frocking" officers.  Select the link for information on "Frocking".)

10 U.S. Code § 605 authorizes the temporary (spot) promotion of certain line LTJGs, LTs, LCDRs, and CDRs to the next higher grade under regulations prescribed by SECNAV, when they possess a skill in which the Navy is critically short and are serving in a billet designated to be held by a LT, LCDR, CDR, OR CAPT and require such a skill.  SECNAVINST 1421.3N sets policy and procedures.
Spot promotion boards are held quarterly (October, January, April and July).   To be eligible for consideration an officer must:
(a) possess a critical skill, as determined by SECNAV (Specified Designators);
(b) have a minimum of two years in grade, computed from their date of rank as LT, LCDR, or CDR when the board convenes (not required for LTJGs);
(c) be serving in, or ordered to, one of the engineering or NSW billets specifically listed on the O-3/O-4/O-5/O-6 (FY26 Spot Billet List);
(d) have at least one year remaining to serve in the qualifying billet (may request extension of PRD or on active-duty), unless already on a select list for promotion to LT, LCDR, CDR, or CAPT;
(e) not have failure of selection on most recent promotion board (no recent FOS);
(f) be recommended for spot promotion by their CO (Ensure CO’s endorsement is received by your detailer 4 weeks prior to board convening date.) Sample Letter

Review your OMPF, OSR, and PSR at least three months prior to the convening of the board.
Mailing address for letters to the board president (LTB): Spot Board Address

Board notifications and results will be released on this page. Officers cannot be promoted until either they report to the billet or the Spot Promotion list has been Senate confirmed whichever is later. Promotion documentation will be provided when you contact your detailer to provide check-in/arrival date at Spot billet.

FY-27 1st Quarter Spot Board is scheduled to convene 14 October 2026.
FY-26 4th Quarter Spot Board adjourned 29 July 2026.
FY-26 3rd Quarter Spot Board adjourned 15 April 2026.
FY-26 1st/2nd Quarter Spot Board was Senate confirmed 30 July 2026: Captain, Commander, and Lieutenant Commander.
FY-25 4th Quarter Spot Board was Senate confirmed 4 March 2026: Captain, Commander, and Lieutenant Commander.
FY-25 3rd Quarter Spot Board was Senate confirmed 19 September 2025: Captain, Commander, and Lieutenant Commander.
FY-25 2nd Quarter Spot Board was Senate confirmed 29 June 2025: Captain, Commander, and Lieutenant Commander.
FY-25 1st Quarter Spot Board was Senate confirmed 14 May 2025: Captain, Commander, and Lieutenant Commander.

Allow approximately 3 months for release of results and one additional month for Senate confirmation. Please contact your detailer for board results.
Again, officers cannot be promoted until they have reported to the billet AND the Spot Promotion list has been Senate confirmed.

For questions regarding Spot Board eligibility, nomination, results, or subsequent spot promotion, please contact your detailer. For all other questions, the NPC Customer Service Center is standing by to help! Please call 1-833-330-MNCC or email questions to

AskMNCC@us.navy.mil.