Okay so we all know the "Lateral Process" message is out. Seems simple enough, meet or exceed the minimum requirements submit the short and sweet application/resume and hope for the best right?

So what happens then? I assume the ME higher ups and some select others get together and go through the applications. Aside from being the most qualified what else goes into the selection? Are members still required to fulfill current obligations in their current rating such as "A" school obligation and such. Does the rating in which the member is switching from have weight on the decision? And, do members currently filling new ME billets get a higher priority than the others?

Just a few questions that I'm sure I'm not the only one that is wondering.
Perhaps someone can shed some light.

I would think if your rate is critical your assignment officer would be less likely to release you from rate.

Brechty;
Most of the answers to your questions are "it depends." Just as was discussed back during the IS Standup, we wont know until all of the apps are in. For instance, on the IS side, only one paygrade out of 11 we looked at had enough applicants, and that was AD E-6. So for the rest of them, everyone who met the minimums were accepted. We only had a few over what was needed at AD E-6, so only the very, very most minimal qual'd, most of whom had other negative issues, did not make the cut.

It will be that way for MEs too. And yes, the criticality of the members current rating will play a part. How big of a part - again it depends. Let's use YOU as an example. Let's say they get more applications for your pay grade than they need. The fact that you are in a very critical rating MAY be a tilting factor in which people they say no too. The board WILL take the best interests of the service into account - not YOUR interests nor the interests of the ME Rating, but the interests of the CG.

Help?

How much do you think civilian law enforcement experience wil be taken into considerations? I have been a member of the reserves, however just recently integrated into full active duty as a BM. I have extensive LE experience in the civilian sector.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

That does help a bit and pretty much what I had expected. Just wasn't sure if there was some crazy matrix or sort of rhyme or reason to the madness.
But since the members selected are still required to complete current tour obligations and that some ratings are even losing "X" amount of billets that the status of the member's current rating should have too much of a weight. But I do understand its all on how it plays out in October and where everything stands along with how many members even decide to put in the lateral package.