Some thoughts from RADM Winnefeld, whose son is now VCJCS.
http://navycaptain-therealnavy.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-you-want-your-fitrep-to-say.html
Best point by far is the first one:
1. You held a demanding job and did so for a protracted period. Many
commanding officers realize that in writing up their department heads
they must get every eligible officer into a department head job-even if
only briefly-so that every qualified officer has a chance when that
individual's record appears before the XO and CO screening boards.
Others cut right to the heart of the challenge and put the best officers
in the best jobs-and keep them there.
