doesn't want to be promoted upward? He's both effective and happy as an operator and wants to do that for as long as he can physically contribute to the TEAM in the field. Does he have that option or would it be like getting RIFed. You're either going UP or OUT. If you know you're a good 'field man' but have no head for the broader planning/staff stuff, would you be allowed to play to your skills and stay where you want to be?
I ask partly for a family reason. Dad was a lifer Master Sarge. He refused to accept promotion to officer status and always managed to work it so that it didn't happen. (Said "Being an officer is no fit job for a gentleman" ;-) ) Always wondered how he did that.
Just curious.