News, Scuttlebutt Forum | Navy Policy
This forum contains news of interest to Enlisted Sailors and their family about the United States Navy in general, scuttlebutt, current events, political, and news that may not fit in other categories but is related to, or may impact Navy personnel. News sources may come from the Navy or from the commercial media. Additionally included is a sub-forum related to official Navy policy.
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WAAH Secretary Pete Hedgehog on Thursday announced that the top military official overseeing military strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug runners will retire at the end of the year — a surprising move given that the four-star admiral took command less than a year ago. -
R 012243Z OCT 25 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 073/25 MSIG/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/OCT// SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY CONTINUED OPERATIONS DURING A LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS// REF/A/DOC/MEMORANDUM/30SEP2025// AMPN/REF A IS SECRETARY OF THE NAVY MEMORANDUM, DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE ACTIVITIES EXCEPTED IN THE ABSENCE OF AVAILABLE FISCAL YEAR 2026 APPROPRIATIONS// RMKS/1. This message provides guidance regarding Department of the Navy (DON) operations during this lapse in appropriations. While this situation presents challenges, the DON remains committed to supporting our Sailors, Marines, civilian employees and their families. 2. The DON will continue to meet its obligations regarding the deployment of forces, safety of human life and protection of property, as directed by statutes and Department of War guidance. Exempted and excepted activities, including critical maintenance and shipbuilding activities, remain underway. Other activities must cease unless approved as an exception by me or by an official to whom the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps or I have delegated the authority to issue such approvals, consistent with reference (a). 3. Sailors and Marines ashore, afloat and forward give America options no adversary can match. We will remain on duty and continue to serve. Though a shutdown can affect pay timing, schedules and daily life, we are committed to helping you through it. 4. DON organizations and activities can find the latest guidance, instructions and procedures regarding excepted activities at: [https://flankspeed.sharepointmil.us/sites/RequestForExceptedActivitiesRFEA/SitePages/Home. aspx. This site is accessible to anyone with a Common Access Card. Commanders and Senior Enlisted Leaders, communicate early and often. Be clear about duties, exemptions and expectations. If something is unclear, elevate it fast. 5. Organizations and activities who believe their requirements must not be delayed until appropriated funding is restored should submit a Request for Excepted Activity through the Request for Excepted Activities Tool, which can be accessed at [https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/team/19%3Adod%3Ab799b9fe0cfc 4878a13f1f0e18e9488b%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=a4a 0930d-0c82-4757-8ea4-a12d06e1d483&tenantId=e3333e00-c877- 4b87-b6ad-45e942de1750. Submissions must be signed by a sponsoring Flag/General Officer, Senior Executive Service Member or equivalent. Use of the “Request for Excepted Activities Tool” is the fastest method to submit a request and receive a decision. However, should there be a problem accessing the site, requests may be emailed to NonDelApprovals@navy.mil. This method should only be used in an emergency. 6. Guidance and information are also available on the Office of Civilian Human Resources website, [https://portal.secnav.navy.mil/orgs/MRA/DONHR/OCHRHQ/Pages/Fu rlough.aspx. 7. Leaders, check on your people early and often. We are teammates taking care of teammates. Command teams must provide updates on timing and duty status. If you need assistance, talk to your chain of command, your command’s Ombudsman or Fleet and Family Support Centers. Use the Department of the Navy Civilian Employee Assistance Program or Military OneSource. These resources are built for moments like this. 8. For additional information and resources, please visit navy.mil and marines.mil. 9. Your commitment is our compass. Stay focused and stay ready. This situation does not define your service. Your service defines our strength. Our unity will carry us through. Thank you for your dedication and service. 10. This message is automatically canceled once appropriations have been restored either via a Continuing Resolution or other budgetary process. 11. Released by the Honorable John C. Phelan, Secretary of the Navy.// ___________________ John C. Phelan
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/ ROUTINE R 101337Z OCT 25 MID120012123571U FM CHINFO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 218/25 SUBJ/ANNUAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FROM QUALIFIED NAVY PERSONNEL FOR THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ADVANCED MILITARY VISUAL JOURNALISM TRAINING PROGRAM 2026// POC/MCCM HOLLY BOYNTON GRAY/CHINFO SEA/LOC: WASHINGTON DC/TEL: COMM: (703) 692-4704/DSN: 222-4704/EMAIL: HOLLY.A.BOYNTONGRAY.MIL(AT)US.NAVY.MIL// RMKS/1. The Navy is soliciting applications from Mass Communication Specialists (MC) for the Syracuse University Newhouse School's Advanced Military Visual Journalism (AMVJ) training program for academic year 2026-2027. The class reporting date for the photojournalism, videography and graphic design programs is tentatively scheduled for 30 July 2026 with a projected graduation date on or around 6 May 2027. Specific portfolio requirements are in paragraph 2d. Applicants may apply to programs by submitting the appropriate portfolio as outlined in paragraphs 2c. and d. 2. Applications must be submitted no later than 16 January 2026. For complete directions and guidance for electronic submission, contact POC listed above and in paragraph 7. Applications must include the following: a. A command endorsement on letterhead summarizing the candidate's qualifications, including a statement certifying the portfolio is the sole work of the applicant, and recommendation for candidate's acceptance in the program. Parent commands are responsible for eligibility verification of endorsed candidates and submission of applicable waivers. Waivers of prerequisites (e.g., TIS, PG, TOS, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Commanding Officers should address applicant's maturity, ability to work independently, financial security, and academic ability when recommending a nominee, particularly when requesting waivers. b. An essay explaining why a candidate is interested in the AMVJ program. Essay should include motivations, influences, expectations, and post-course desires. c. A portfolio demonstrating sufficient technical ability to successfully complete the course. An applicant must submit a portfolio with communication products from across the full-spectrum of media disciplines. Each product in the portfolio must follow the rules listed in the category descriptions found within the standard operating procedures for Navy Public Affairs Awards. d. Photojournalism program portfolio requirements. Candidates must submit a portfolio consisting of seven examples of their work. Portfolio must contain the following: (1) One writing product from the Individual Writing category. (2) One video story from the Individual Video category. (3) Four photo products from the Individual Photo category (must have one photo series, one portrait, and two photos from any other Individual Photo category). (4) One graphic design product from any of the Individual Graphic Design categories. e. Videography program portfolio requirements. Candidates must submit a portfolio consisting of four examples of their work. Portfolio must contain the following: (1) One video story from the Individual Video category. (2) One multimedia product from the Individual Video category. (3) One video spot from the Individual Video category. (4) One b-roll product from the Individual Video category. f. Graphics program portfolio requirements. Candidates must submit a portfolio consisting of seven examples of their work. Portfolio must contain the following: (1) One animation product. (2) Two layout and design products. (3) Two digital art products. (4) One identity design product. (5) One writing product from the Individual Writing category. g. Applicants are required to provide a biography as part of the submission process. The biography is not part of the selection process but will be used to identify and introduce the selectees to the faculty and staff at the university if selected. No biography photo required. 3. Prior to acceptance to the program and distribution of orders, applicants must: a. Be approved to reenlist or extend in the MC Rating through June 2031. b. Have a command endorsed 1306. c. Be within physical fitness assessment standards to include no PFA failures in the past three years. d. Not have any civil or Non-Judicial Punishment violations in the past three years. 4. Course scope, prerequisites and portfolio requirements are found in CANTRAC, which can be accessed via the Navy Education and Training Command website at https://www.netc.navy.mil/. Click on the CANTRAC icon at the bottom of the webpage and search for course information using either Course Identification Number listed in paragraph 1 or the title, Advanced Military Visual Journalism. 5. Applicants in their orders window, and not yet selected for orders, must contact the detailer with their intentions. Applicants who have executed orders and are en route to their next command are not eligible. Navy Personnel Command has the final approval prior to final selection. 6. The selection board will convene in February 2026. Selectees will be notified via Naval message in February 2026. 7. Point of contact is MCCM Holly Boynton Gray who can be reached by email at holly.a.boyntongray.mil(AT)us.navy.mil or by phone at (703) 692-4704. 8. Contact Master Chief Gray directly for the submission process. 9. Request widest dissemination. 10. Released by RDML J. A. Robinson, Chief of Information.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/ ROUTINE RTTUZYUW RUOIAAA0001 2801439-UUUU--RHSSSUU. ZNR UUUUU R 071439Z OCT 25 MID120012114540U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS// NAVADMIN 216/25 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/-/OCT// SUBJ/2024-25 MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE NAVY DELBERT D. BLACK LEADERSHIP AWARD SELECTION// REF/A/DOC/OPNAV/18JAN2024// AMPN/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1650.36A, THE MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE NAVY DELBERT D. BLACK LEADERSHIP AWARD// POC/JAMES/CMDCM/OPNAV N00D/-/TEL: (703)695-2970/DSN: 225-2970/ EMAIL: RICHARD.L.JAMES2.MIL(AT)US.NAVY.MIL// RMKS/1. The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is pleased to announce the selection of CMDCM Lowell Waddell, stationed aboard USS MANCHESTER (Gold) (LCS 14), as the 2024-25 MCPON Delbert D. Black Leadership Award recipient. 2. CMDCM Waddell was selected from a field of outstanding finalists representing the finest first-tour Command Master Chiefs, Command Senior Chiefs, and Chiefs of the Boat in the Navy. Congratulations to him and the other finalists. 3. Released by VADM Michael E. Boyle, Director, Navy Staff.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/ ROUTINE R 071447Z OCT 25 MID120012114561U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// NAVADMIN 212/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/OCT// SUBJ/NAVAL SPECIAL OPERATIONS SENIOR ENLISTED EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TECHNICIAN RETENTION BONUS PROGRAM// REF/A/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/031416ZOCT22// REF/B/DOC/TITLE 37 U.S.C./12JAN20// REF/C/DOC/DOD/MAY22// REF/D/DOC/ASN/30JUN2025// REF/E/DOC/ASN/23MAY2025// NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 222/22, RENEWAL OF NAVAL SPECIAL OPERATIONS (NSO) SENIOR ENLISTED EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD) TECHNICIAN RETENTION BONUS (RB) PROGRAM. REF B IS SECTION 331 OF TITLE 37 U.S. CODE, SPECIAL PAY: RETENTION INCENTIVES FOR MEMBERS QUALIFIED IN CRITICAL MILITARY SKILLS OR ASSIGNED TO HIGH PRIORITY UNITS. REF C IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION, VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 2: REPAYMENT OF UNEARNED PORTION OF BONUSES AND OTHER BENEFITS. REF D IS CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNEL MEMORANDUM REAUTHORIZING THE NSO SENIOR ENLISTED EOD RETENTION BONUS. REF E IS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS MEMORANDUM EXCEPTION TO POLICY FOR SELECTIVE RETENTION BONUS PAYMENT LIFETIME LIMIT REGARDING SELECT RATINGS.// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN cancels reference (a) and announces an updated Naval Special Operations senior enlisted Explosive Ordnance Disposal Retention Bonus program. 2. Program Overview. This bonus is authorized under references (b) through (e). Specific critical Navy Enlisted Classifications (NEC) and approved award levels have been prescribed in reference (d). The NSO EOD Enlisted Community Manager (ECM) (BUPERS-312-EOD) will act as the NSO EOD RB program manager. All applications for this bonus will be submitted to the program manager for processing and tracking. By law, and as waived by reference (e), Sailors may receive no more than 480,000 dollars in RB monies over a career. Selective reenlistment bonus awards are included in that cap. If eligible, a Sailor may apply for RBs across multiple phases, for a maximum of 150,000 dollar lump sum payment and a corresponding 6 year contract. Within the confines of reference (d), the eligibility criteria stated in this NAVADMIN may be adjusted at any time to address emergent retention challenges, via published business rules located on the MyNavy HR EOD ECM webpage. 3. Eligibility. NSO EOD Sailors with NEC M04A, in paygrades E7 to E9, who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply: a. Between 20 and 28 Years of Active Service (YOAS). Note: Initial applications may be submitted and contracts signed within the 19th YOAS, but payments will not begin until 20 YOAS. b. Serving on Active Duty in a regular component. c. Favorable recommendation from the Sailor's Commanding Officer (CO). 4. Ineligibility: a. Sailors serving under an existing RB contract are not eligible to receive an additional RB for service outlined in their existing RB contract agreement. b. Sailors are not eligible for RB payments past their High Year Tenure (HYT) date. HYT dates are firm, and HYT waiver requests will not be considered during the NSO EOD RB application process. c. Sailors with documented misconduct or below standard performance will be removed from RB eligibility. 5. Contract Terms. NSO EOD RB contract lengths (for a minimum of 3 years), payments, and Active Duty service obligations are outlined below. Only Sailors that are E8 (select) or above can combine Phase one and Phase two. a. E7s are eligible to contract to 24 YOAS. E8s are eligible to contract to 26 YOAS. E-9s are eligible to contract up to 30 YOAS. If a Sailor serves a partial year, that year will be prorated pursuant to the bonus amount of that year. Specific bonus amounts are graduated in line with YOAS. (1) Phase One NSO EOD RB. Sailors must be E7 or above and have NEC M04A to apply for a phase one bonus. Phase one corresponds with E7 HYT and encompasses 20 to 24 YOAS. Sailors will have the opportunity to receive up to 100,000 dollars in RB for phase one contracts. At a minimum, Sailors must contract through 22 YOAS. YOAS Bonus Amount 20 25,000 dollars 21 25,000 dollars 22 25,000 dollars 23 25,000 dollars (2) Phase Two NSO EOD RB. Sailors must be E8 (select) or above and have NEC M04A to apply for a phase two bonus. Phase two corresponds with E8 HYT and encompasses 24 to 26 YOAS. Sailors will have the opportunity to receive up to 50,000 dollars in retention bonuses for phase two contracts. YOAS Bonus Amount 24 25,000 dollars 25 25,000 dollars (3) Phase Three NSO EOD RB. Sailors must be E9 (select) or E9 and have NEC M04A to apply for a phase three bonus. Phase three corresponds with E9 HYT and encompasses 26 to 30 YOAS. Sailors must contract before they reach 28 YOAS. Sailors will have the opportunity to receive up to 40,000 dollars in retention bonuses for phase three contracts. YOAS Bonus Amount 26 10,000 dollars 27 10,000 dollars 28 10,000 dollars 29 10,000 dollars (4) RB Contract. RB contract phases may be combined provided that the Sailors are eligible to receive payments to the contracted end date. b. In line with reference (b) and (d), NSO EOD RB contracts will be for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 years. Sailors under the RB contract will not submit a request for retirement or tender a resignation with an effective date that is prior to completion of the agreement. Enlisted Sailors must reenlist or extend their enlistment contract, soft end of active obligated service, for a period of at least 3 years. Sailors are authorized early reenlistment to align RB and reenlistment contracts. Reenlistments and extensions may be combined to align service dates for the maximum opportunity, up to a reenlistment of 6 years and an extension of up to 12 months. Sailors who are eligible will receive this bonus as a lump sum payment. These payments can be made no earlier than 20 years of service, but must be complete prior to commencing their 28 years of service. 6. Program Execution: a. Sailors should submit requests for NSO EOD RB to the program manager via their chain of command to eod_comm_mgr.fct@navy.mil 60 to 180 days prior to entering into an NSO EOD RB contract. The following documents are required: (1) Letter requesting contract from the Sailor. (2) Endorsement letter from the CO. (3) Most recent performance evaluation or documentation of appropriate milestone qualification or designation, where required. b. Upon acceptance of a Sailor agreement by the program manager, the amount of the bonus becomes fixed, and the Sailor incurs a firm service obligation. c. Sailors will receive the bonus in a lump sum payment, effective from the date of contract execution. Prior to payment, Sailors will submit a copy of the reenlistment contract and/or extension agreement with proof of tax-free status, if applicable. d. RB requests for personnel who are being processed for disciplinary action, NEC removal, or restoration will be held in abeyance pending final resolution. 7. Recoupment and Repayment Policy. In line with references (c) and (d), a Sailor of the uniformed services who enters into a written agreement with specified service conditions for receipt of a bonus is entitled to the full amount of the bonus if the Sailor fulfills the condition of that written agreement. If the Sailor fails to fulfill the service conditions specified in the written agreement for pay, then the pay may be terminated, and the Sailor may be required to repay an amount equal to the unearned portion of the pay. 8. Points of contact are: a. LT Brianne Coger, NSO ECM, by e-mail at brianne.l.coger.mil@us.navy.mil or by phone at (901) 874-4433. b. EODCM Steve Cho, Enlisted Technical Advisor and NSO EOD RB Program Manager, by e-mail at steve.y.cho.mil@us.navy.mil or by phone at (901) 874-2827. 9. This message will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 10. Released by Vice Admiral Jeffrey J. Czerewko, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/
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