Having some experience with these, I can tell you that at the MLR, the Promotion Board, and at the DT, the wing commanders, etc in attendance that are reviewing records are told EXACTLY what to look for. And they are given specific guidance on what different AFSC identifiers mean (W, K, T, S, etc), on what the standout discriminators are (WIC Graduate, AF-level "Of the Year" awards, DG's, strats, etc.). Not only that, these dudes (in our case) are Line AF colonels. They can read a record, all-be-it with some coaching... The promotion boards are VERY fair. The DT boards where wing commanders fight for their dudes to get a good school or get schools at all, THOSE can come under heavy influence... Huge difference.
From what I have seen, you need to show SEVERAL things, not just one, to make the biggest splash.
To go far (no particular order):
- PME (In-Res preferred)
- Masters / AAD's (note, I did NOT say BAC+, guys love telling each other a BAC+ is enough - it is not anymore)
- DG from something, the more the better
- WIC / TPS is good, gives you a one-up in a lot of areas over your peers
- Instructor / Evaluator helps.
- Awards (not nominations), the higher the level the better. Nominations are good, not great. Annual awards are a big deal.
- Have your house in order - SURF, duty history showing progression, Medals, etc should be correct, present
- Push lines on OPRs help
- Good Strats - from as large a population as possible - group-level or higher
When it comes time to go to things like School Selection at a DT Board, it is a little different. Hard work and a great record will get you school, but having someone fight for you is all the better. Doesn't always happen, but at the Major level is where things REALLY start to get political. Love it or hate it, having someone pull for you (made easier by being a hard worker and a good dude) is a good thing.
That's the way it is...
Chuck