Tony

A new open-source investigation has revealed that China recently launched their third anti-submarine detection ship at a shipbuilding facility in Wuhan, augmenting Beijing's ability to detect submarines. The ship is most likely a SWATH design, or Small Waterplane-Area Twin Hull. The twin-hull design is both very stable, even at high speeds or in rough seas, and is also known for being very quiet, a useful quality to have for a ship intended to use sonar and other acoustic listening devices to detect submarines.

WASHINGTON — Amy Logan first experienced physical abuse three years into her marriage to a sergeant major in the Army. Logan was away from friends and family once she moved to a new military base, similar to many military spouses who are isolated and unaware of resources available to them. Several months after the move, her marriage turned violent, Logan told House lawmakers Tuesday.

A former US Navy fighter pilot recently shared details and some of her thoughts on an unusual experience almost two decades ago, an encounter with an unidentified flying object nicknamed the "Tic Tac." In mid-November 2004, as the Navy's Nimitz Carrier Strike Group trained off the West Coast in preparation for an upcoming deployment, the destroyer USS Princeton detected several UFOs, also called anomalous aerial vehicles or unidentified aerial phenomena, moving in inexplicable ways around the carrier group.

Sailors who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now make some port calls, often go mask-free and deploy without quarantining beforehand, the Navy has announced. “With more than a year operating in the COVID environment, we have gained significant expertise in mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19,” Vice Adm. Phillip Sawyer, deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, said in a statement. “Now with vaccines and CDC scientific data, we are able to relax many of the procedures we put in place and still provide for the health protection of the force.”

PENSACOLA, Fla. — As Memorial Day approaches every year, it is customary for the Navy to release E-4 through E-6 total force advancement results for more than 90,000 eligible candidates on active duty, full-time support (FTS) and in the Selected Reserve (SELRES). This year, like the last, results will be delayed due to COVID-19 mitigations and the expanded window of exam administrations. For Reserve E-4 through E-6 candidates (cycle 108), the command triads will be notified June 24, and the results will be published on profile sheets in the Navy Enlisted Advancement System (NEAS) Web on June 25. For the active-duty and full-time support E-4 through E-6 candidates (cycle 251), the command triads will be notified on July 8, and the results will be published on profile sheets in NEAS Web on July 9. “One of the biggest questions we receive is, ‘why do the results take so long?’” said Navy Advancement Center Deputy Director, Tom Updike. To understand the answer to this question, it is important to know the process and advancement timeline associated with each exam cycle. First, exams are created and distributed from Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) in Pensacola, Florida, to all of the requesting commands around the fleet. “Typically you have a single exam administration date, but now that is a two-week window of testing for each paygrade [due to COVID-19],” said Updike. “Exam answer sheet returns are mostly delayed until the end of the [30-day] administration windows.” Once exams are administered, commands have an additional window of time to administer substitute exams to Sailors who may have missed the original window. “The exam scoring process requires we get back all substitute answer sheets as well,” said Updike. “Substitute exams administered aboard fleet units in the Indian Ocean take much longer to receive than answer sheets express-mailed from San Diego or Norfolk.” Next, the employees of the fleet services branch of NETPDC, who work up to eight advancement cycles at a time and scan more than 230,000 answer sheets a year, then scan Sailor exam answer sheets the day they arrive in the mail. “All answer sheets are scanned into the system within 24 hours of them arriving on site,” said Updike. “Fleet services staff work diligently to ensure errors are corrected and the data is uploaded into NEAS as quickly and efficiently as possible.” Once 95% of a cycle’s exam answer sheets have arrived and processed, to include all aircraft carriers, NETPDC creates an advancement plan (ADPLAN). “An ADPLAN is a report listing the number of Sailors that passed the exam in each rating,” said Updike. “That report is made available to the enlisted community managers, and at that point there is a process they go through to complete rating quota determinations.” NETPDC continues to scan late answer sheets and validate data in NEAS until quotas are provided from the Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP). Up until the time for publishing the results, NETPDC works continuously to correct discrepancies using the Sailors’ Enlisted Advancement Worksheet (EAW). “We try to clear as many discrepancies as we can,” said Updike. “We don’t want Sailors to get a profile sheet that says you don’t have any results because you still have a discrepancy in NEAS.” Educational Service Officers (ESOs) can submit discrepancy corrections for Sailors via the EAW Post-Exam Administration Change (PAC) in the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) after the worksheet is locked and data is sent to NEAS. The advancement results schedule is set by CNP. After publication of results, commands are authorized to frock Sailors to the next-higher pay grade. NETPDC then processes pay increments and sets advancement dates. Spring cycle advancements are incremented from July to December, with the majority of Sailors advanced in the final increment. Similar to previous COVID mitigation exam cycles, E-4 candidates (except some rating entry Reserve Sailors) did not take an exam. Rather, each E-4 advancement candidate will be given the same exam score when calculating their final multiple score (FMS) to establish a rank-order standing among peers. This means the E-4 rank order is mostly influenced by each Sailor’s performance mark average. Because quotas are developed the exact same way, the advancement opportunity for E-3 Sailors is not impacted by the rank order without taking an exam. “The primary goal of NEAS is that no Sailor is disadvantaged in the advancement processes, said Updike. “Another delay in our cycle results due to COVID is only acceptable when we know that every Sailor was given a fair opportunity to compete for advancement.” As part of the MyNavy HR Force Development team, NETPDC provides products and services that enable and enhance education, training, career development and personnel advancement throughout the Navy. Primary elements of the command include the Voluntary Education Department, the NAC and the Resources Management Department.

UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 252135Z MAY 21 MID200000887015U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 104/21 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/MAY// SUBJ/SEPTEMBER 2021 (CYCLE 252) ACTIVE-DUTY AND FULL-TIME SUPPORT E-4 THROUGH E-6 PETTY OFFICER NAVY-WIDE ADVANCEMENT EXAMINATIONS// REF/A/DOC/BUPERS/19SEP18// REF/B/MSG/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/052044ZMAR13// REF/C/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/201449ZDEC18// REF/D/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/161157ZJUL20// REF/E/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/272057ZDEC18// NARR/REF A IS BUPERSINST 1430.16G, ADVANCEMENT MANUAL FOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE U.S. NAVY AND U.S. NAVY RESERVE. REF B IS ALNAV 015/13, PERSONNEL SECURITY INVESTIGATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS. REF C IS NAVADMIN 312/18, ADVANCEMENT POLICY UPDATE. REF D IS NAVADMIN 201/20, PROFESSIONAL MILITARY KNOWLEDGE ELIGIBILITY EXAM REVISED BUSINESS RULES. REF E IS NAVADMIN 316/18, ENLISTED ADVANCEMENT WORKSHEET.// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the guidance for the administration of the September 2021 (cycle 252) Navy-Wide Advancement Exam (NWAE) for advancement-in-rate of Active Duty (AD) and Full-Time Support (FTS) Sailors to paygrades E-5 and E-6 and the use of an alternative final multiple score (FMS) rank-order method, without an exam, for E-4 advancement candidates. a. As a continued safety measure due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, E-4 advancement candidates will not participate in the NWAE, but will be given the opportunity for advancement using an alternative FMS rank-order method, without the inclusion of an exam score from a proctored exam. E-5 and E-6 advancement candidates will be administered the NWAE utilizing testing windows vice single-day testing. These expanded testing windows will allow for smaller groups of test takers to ensure adequate social distancing can be maintained between testers at testing facilities, while maintaining the high standards and continued culture of learning that drive our enlisted advancement system. This is identical to the advancement policy used in the 2021 spring NWAE cycle, and is a change from reference (a). b. In addition to the requirements in this NAVADMIN and chapter 6 of reference (a), educational services officers (ESO) must follow the pre-exam preparation requirements in the exam verbatim, which can be found on the navy enlisted advancement system (NEAS) website via MyNavy Portal (MNP) at https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/advancement-and-promotion/command- information. 2. Timeline a. 31 July 2021: Professional military knowledge - eligibility exam (PMK-EE) completion date. b. 1-16 September 2021: E-6 exam administration. Enlisted advancement worksheets (EAW) will close one week after the exam date on the worksheet. c. 17-30 September 2021: E-5 exam administration. EAWs will close one week after the exam date on the worksheet. d. E-4 exams are cancelled, but E-4 EAWs must be completed by 30 September 2021. 3. Eligibility requirements are found in chapter 2 of reference (a). The following information is specific only to cycle 252: a. The terminal eligibility date used to compute time-in-rate (TIR) is 1 January 2022. b. The minimum TIR date must be on or before: E-6 - 1 January 2019 E-5 - 1 January 2021 E-4 - 1 July 2021 c. E-6 candidate TIR requirements for early promote Sailors can be waived by one year with the commanding officer (CO)/officer-in- charge (OIC) approval, in line with paragraph 214.e of reference (a). d. High-year tenure (HYT) date must be effective 1 January 2022 or later. All HYT waivers must be approved prior to 1 September 2021 to be able to participate in cycle 252. e. Candidates in a rating requiring a security clearance must have a favorable investigation adjudication by the Department of Defense Central Adjudication Facility reflected properly in the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) prior to 1 September 2021. If the CO of the candidate grants an interim clearance, it must be entered in DISS prior to 1 September 2021. Candidates must maintain security clearance eligibility throughout the advancement cycle to be eligible for advancement. If, for any reason, a clearance is denied, revoked or not reflected in DISS, an exam is not authorized and commands will not allow candidates to take the exam until the discrepancy is corrected or a new clearance is granted and is properly reflected in the EAW of the candidate. Ratings requiring a security clearance are AC, AE, AG, AO, ATI, ATO, AWF, AWO, AWR, AWS, AWV, AZ, CTI, CTM, CTN, CTR, CTT, EOD, ET, FC, FCA, GM, HT, IC, IS, IT, LN, MA, MC, MN, ND, OS, QM, SB, SO, STG, YN, and all nuclear and submarine ratings. Refer to references (a) and (b) for additional guidance. f. Candidates for advancement to E-4 and E-5 must compute performance mark average (PMA) using all applicable evaluations in the current pay grade with an ending date that falls within the following time periods: E-4 - 1 January 2021 to 31 August 2021 E-5 - 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2021 g. Candidates for advancement to E-6 must compute the reporting senior cumulative average (RSCA) PMA, as outlined in reference (c), using all applicable evaluations in the current pay grade with the ending date that falls within the time period: E-6 - 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2021 h. Refer to reference (c) and paragraph 308.b. of reference (a) for additional guidance on RSCA PMA and PMA, including guidance on establishing PMA for new accessions that have graduated from *A* school and do not have a current evaluation. i. PMK-EE is mandatory for candidates to participate in the cycle 252 advancement cycle, even if no exam is being administered, and must be successfully completed once for the administration paygrade, in accordance with reference (d). The completion deadline is 31 July 2021 and no Sailor should be permitted to participate in the advancement cycle without having a completed PMK-EE for the administration paygrade captured in EAW. j. For guidance on establishing EAW user roles and completing worksheets, refer to reference (e). EAW is mandatory for cycle 252 and will be the authority for PMA, RSCA PMA, and awards. k. Commands must accurately validate, complete and finalize all E-4 EAWs in the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System in a timely manner. EAW accuracy is critical since NEAS will be reprogrammed to use finalized EAWs rather than the candidate exam answer sheets to create E-4 candidate records. The success of this process will be dependent upon the accurate completion of E-4 EAWs to establish advancement cycle participation. Cycle 252 E-4 EAWs must be completed by 30 September 2021. 4. Exam Ordering. Order exams in line with chapter 4 of reference (a). a. Deploying commands and candidates departing to Congressionally-designated combat zones and approved contingency operations areas (CDCZ/ACOA) can order exams up to six months prior to the scheduled exam date. For additional guidance, refer to chapter 4 and paragraph 614 of reference (a). b. Regular Exams: (1) Sensitive compartmented information (SCI) Exams. Cryptologic-technician interpretive (CTI)/cryptologic-technician network (CTN)/cryptologic technician-collection (CTR) SCI exam ordering dates can be found on the NEAS website via MNP at https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/advancement-and-promotion/my- advancement. ESOs must verify initial Active TIR eligibility lists on the NEAS website for exam ordering. Supplemental TIR SCI exams are ordered via preferred message formatted e-mail to sfly_cryptologic.products(at)navy.mil or naval message following the guidelines in chapter 4 of reference (a). The deadline for ordering additional TIR SCI exams is 9 June 2021. (2) Non-SCI Exams. ESOs must verify TIR eligibility lists on the NEAS website during the following time periods: (a) Initial TIR lists will be available: E-6 - 8 June 2021 to 6 July 2021 E-5 - 8 June 2021 to 18 July 2021 (b) Supplemental TIR lists will be available: E-6 - 7 July 2021 to 8 August 2021 E-5 - 19 July 2021 to 15 August 2021 (3) Exams ordered after the TIR lists have closed shall be ordered using preferred message formatted e-mail to sfly_N321_exam_order(at)navy.mil or naval message following guidelines in chapter 4 of reference (a). Ensure a point of contact is included in the submitted e-mail or message. Orders submitted after supplemental TIR list closure will result in a substitute exam being sent. c. Substitute Exams: (1) The deadline for ordering both SCI and non-SCI substitute exams is 30 September 2021. (2) Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC (N321)) is the approval authority for all substitute exams. (3) Recent graduates of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program training pipeline, who are on transfer leave in route to their first at-sea assignment during the E-5 examination dates, will have substitute examinations ordered for them by their ultimate duty station, if dates permit exam ordering before the published deadline. (4) Substitute examinations may be administered with regular exam administration or in line with paragraph 606 of reference (a). d. ESOs must verify examination orders at the *View Previous Exam Orders* link via the NEAS website within 7 to 10 days of placing the order. If exam order discrepancies are noted, contact the Fleet Services Branch NETPDC (N321) as listed on the NEAS website on the NETPDC (N321) point of contact table. e. Exceptions to policy for exam orders will continue to be submitted in line with reference (a), and must include endorsement by the immediate superior in command. f. Candidates in the following ratings are separated into the following competitive groups: (1) CTI Group 1 Middle East/North Africa Group 2 East/Far East Group 3 Latin/South America Group 4 Eastern Europe (2) EMN, ETN, and MMN Group 1 Submarine Group 2 Surface Group 3 Training 5. Exam Administration and Answer Sheet Returns a. Administration windows for AD and FTS E-5 and E-6 exams. These exams will be administered utilizing testing windows in the month of September 2021. E-6 exams will take place from 1 through 16 September 2021 and E-5 exams will take place from 17 through 30 September 2021. Every effort should be made to spread the administration of the exams evenly throughout the exam administration period, in order to minimize the number of exam- takers at any one administration to ensure maximum social distancing. Administration for all substitute exams will follow guidelines in references (a) and (c). b. All commands should develop a plan to meet COVID-19 mitigations. Every effort should be made to ensure appropriate COVID-19 mitigation measures are in place, to include, but not limited to, face coverings if not fully immunized (two weeks beyond final dose), adequate social distancing, available hand sanitizer, medical (questionnaire) screenings, and temperature checks. c. To the maximum extent practicable, exams for the same ratings should be administered on the same day. Sailors are directed not to discuss exam content after taking an exam to ensure no advancement candidate is disadvantaged in the advancement process. Unauthorized disclosure of exam content may result in administrative and/or disciplinary action. d. Following the administration of exams, it is critical that ESOs expeditiously mail E-5 and E-6 answer sheet packages to NETPDC (N321). Do not hold exams until the end of the testing window. Prompt return of answer sheets will help ensure results are released in a timely manner. e. For exam administration and answer sheet return instructions refer to chapter 6 of reference (a). f. ESOs must check the exam tote board on the NEAS website often to ensure answer sheets have been received and processed. The tote board can be accessed via MNP at https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/advancement-and-promotion/command- information. Answer sheets that are in error will not be counted until they are processed successfully. 6. Discrepancy Correction a. A detailed discrepancy list can be found at the NEAS website via MNP. For guidance on discrepancy correction requirements, refer to chapters 3 and 7 of reference (a). b. Post-exam administration discrepancy correction correspondence with NETPDC (N321) is to be submitted using the EAW post-exam administration comments (PAC) function, refer to reference (e). All corrections must have a CO/OIC letter and supporting documentation included as attachments. Education point corrections require a submission of a screen shot of the joint service transcript display indicating the degree type and date of completion. c. For guidance on E-4 through E-6 candidates with missed exams due to assignment in CDCZ/ACOA, refer to chapter 6 of reference (a). 7. Examination Results. Refer to chapter 7 of reference (a). 8. Any additional information regarding this cycle will be posted on the NEAS website. 9. Points of Contact. a. MyNavy Career Center (MNCC) is available 24/7 by phone at 1-833-330-6622 or via e-mail at askmncc(at)navy.mil. b. SCI exam questions and orders can be reached at (850) 473- 5867/DSN 753 or via e-mail at sfly_cryptologic.products(at)navy.mil. c. Non-SCI exam questions and orders can be reached at (850) 473-6148/DSN 753 or via e-mail at sfly_N321_exam_order(at)navy.mil. d. NWAE records and discrepancies can be reached at (850) 473- 6148/DSN 753 or via the EAW PAC function. 10. For further NEAS information, to include exam verbatim and other related documents, visit MNP at https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/advancement-and-promotion/command- information. 11. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 12. Released by Rear Admiral James P. Waters, N13.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//

UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 252154Z MAY 21 MID200000887093U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 105/21 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/MAY// SUBJ/FALL 2021 (CYCLE 109) NAVY-WIDE ADVANCEMENT EXAMINATION FOR SELECTED RESERVE E-4 THROUGH E-6 CANDIDATES// REF/A/DOC/BUPERS/19SEP18// REF/B/MSG/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/052044ZMAR13// REF/C/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/201449ZDEC18// REF/D/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/272057ZDEC18// REF/E/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/161157ZJUL20// NARR/REF A IS BUPERSINST 1430.16G, ADVANCEMENT MANUAL FOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE U.S. NAVY AND U.S. NAVY RESERVE. REF B IS ALNAV 015/13, PERSONNEL SECURITY INVESTIGATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS. REF C IS NAVADMIN 312/18, ADVANCEMENT POLICY UPDATE. REF D IS NAVADMIN 316/18, ENLISTED ADVANCEMENT WORKSHEET. REF E IS NAVADMIN 201/20, PROFESSIONAL MILITARY KNOWLEDGE ELIGIBILITY EXAM REVISED BUSINESS RULES.// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the guidance for the administration of the fall 2021 (cycle 109) Navy-wide Advancement Exam (NWAE) for Selected Reserve (SELRES) Sailors in paygrades E-5 through E-6 and E-4 Prior Service Reenlistment Eligibility Reserve (PRISE-R) candidates and the use of an alternative final multiple score (FMS) rank-order method without an exam for all other E-4 advancement candidates. As a continued safety measure during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, E-4 exams (with the exception of PRISE-R) have been cancelled and an expanded testing window has been established for E-4 PRISE-R, E-5 and E-6 candidates. These expanded testing windows will allow for smaller groups of test takers to ensure adequate social distancing can be maintained between exam- takers at testing facilities, while maintaining the high standards and continued culture of learning that drives our enlisted advancement system. All candidates serving on voluntary recall, mobilization or as Canvasser Recruiters (CANREC) will compete for advancement as a SELRES. 2. Timeline a. 30 June 2021: Professional Military Knowledge - Eligibility Exam (PMK-EE) completion deadline. b. 1 August 2021 - 12 September 2021: E-4 PRISE-R, E-5 and E-6 exam administration. c. 31 August 2021: E-4 Enlisted advancement worksheet (EAW) completion due date. E-4 (with the exception of PRISE-R) exams are cancelled, but EAWs must still be completed by this date. Only exception is that EAW completion date for E-4 PRISE-R candidates can be submitted by 30 Sep 2021 if their exam date occurs 1-12 September 2021. d. 30 September 2021: E-5/6 EAW completion due date. 3. Eligibility Requirements. For all E-4 through E-6 candidates, eligibility requirements are found in chapter 2 of reference (a), with the following information specific only to cycle 109: a. The terminal eligibility date used to compute time-in-rate (TIR) for E-4 through E-6 is 1 January 2022. b. The minimum TIR date must be on or before: (1) E-6 - 1 January 2019 (2) E-5 - 1 January 2021 (3) E-4 - 1 July 2021 c. E-6 candidate TIR requirements for early promote Sailors can be waived by one year with commanding officer (CO)/officer-in-charge (OIC) approval, in line with paragraph 214 of reference (a). d. High-year tenure (HYT) date for E-4 through E-6 must be effective 1 January 2022, or later. Any HYT waiver must be approved prior to 1 August 2021 to be able to participate in cycle 109. e. Candidates who have submitted a formal written request for voluntary transfer to the retired reserve (with or without pay) or Fleet Reserve on a date prior to their mandated HYT are ineligible for advancement. f. Candidates in a rating requiring a security clearance must have a favorable investigation adjudication by the Department of Defense Central Adjudication Facility reflected properly in the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) prior to 1 August 2021. If the CO of the candidate grants an interim clearance, it must be entered in DISS prior to 1 August 2021. Candidates must maintain security clearance eligibility throughout the advancement cycle to be eligible for advancement. If, for any reason, a clearance is denied, revoked or not reflected in DISS, an exam is not authorized and commands will not allow candidates to take the exam until the discrepancy is corrected or a new clearance is granted and is properly reflected in the candidates EAW. Ratings requiring a security clearance are AC, AE, AG, AO, AT, AWF, AWO, AWR, AWS, AZ, CTI, CTN, CTR, CTT, EOD, ET, ETV, FC, FCA, GM, HT, IS, IT, ITS, LN, MA, MC, MMA, TM, MN, ND, OS, QM, SB, SO, STG, STS and YN. Refer to references (a) and (b) for additional guidance. g. Branch class and special program indicator (SPI) code. All SELRES including CANREC are required to take the cycle 109 SELRES NWAE. Full-Time Support Personnel with a SPI code of V will take cycle 252 (E-4 through E-6) Active-Duty NWAEs. h. PRISE-R Sailors required to participate in the NWAE to complete their rate conversion are only required to complete the PMK-EE if they are an E-3 and are eligible for advancement in conjunction with testing to complete rate conversion. i. For candidates eligible for advancement to E-4 and E-5, compute performance mark average (PMA) using all applicable evaluations in the current pay grade of the candidate with an ending date that falls within the following periods: (1) E-4 - 1 January 2021 to 31 July 2021 (2) E-5 - 1 June 2020 to 31 July 2021 j. For candidates eligible for advancement to E-6, calculate the reporting seniors cumulative average (RSCA) PMA, as outlined in reference (c), using evaluations in the current paygrade of the candidate with the ending date that falls within the time period 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2021. k. Refer to reference (c) and paragraph 308 of reference (a) for additional guidance on RSCA PMA and PMA including guidance on establishing PMA for new accessions that have graduated from *A* school and do not have a current evaluation. l. For guidance on establishing EAW user roles and completing worksheets, refer to reference (d). EAW is mandatory for cycle 109 and will be the authority for PMA, RSCA PMA and awards. m. PMK-EE is mandatory for cycle 109 candidates, even if no NWAE is being administered, and must be successfully completed once for the administration paygrade. The PMK-EE completion deadline is 30 June 2021, in accordance with reference (e). No Sailor should be permitted to participate in the advancement cycle without having a completed PMK-EE for the administration paygrade captured in EAW. n. Commands must accurately validate, complete and finalize all E-4 EAWs in the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System. EAW accuracy is critical since Navy Enlisted Advancement System (NEAS) will be reprogrammed to use finalized EAWs rather than the candidate exam answer sheets to create E-4 candidate records. The success of this process will be dependent upon the accurate completion of E-4 EAWs to establish advancement cycle participation. Cycle 109 E-4 EAWs must be completed by 31 August 2021. 4. Exam ordering. Order exams in line with chapter 4 of reference (a). a. Deploying commands and candidates departing to Congressionally-Designated Combat Zones and Approved Contingency Operations Areas (CDCZ/ACOA) can order exams up to six months prior to the scheduled exam date. For additional guidance, refer to chapter 4 and paragraph 614 of reference (a). b. Sensitive compartmented information (SCI) exams. Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI), Cryptologic Technician Networks (CTN) and Cryptologic Technician Collection (CTR) SCI exam ordering dates can be found on the NEAS website via MyNavy Portal at https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/advancement-and-promotion/my- advancement. Educational Services Officers (ESOs) must verify initial TIR eligibility lists on the NEAS website for exam ordering. Supplemental SCI exams are ordered via preferred message formatted e-mail to sfly_cryptologic.products(at)navy.mil or naval message following the guidelines with chapter 4 of reference (a). The deadline for additional orders is 9 June 2021. c. Non-SCI Exams (1) Initial exam ordering for non-SCI exams will be available from 8 June through 27 June 2021. ESOs must verify TIR eligibility lists on the NEAS website. (2) Eligible candidates who were not added to the initial TIR list can be added to a supplemental TIR list. Supplemental TIR lists will be available from 21 June 2021 to 11 July 2021. The deadline to order supplemental SELRES exams is 31 August 2021. d. Exams ordered after the TIR lists have closed and exams for PRISE-R Sailors shall be ordered using preferred message formatted e-mail or naval message following the guidelines in chapter 4 of reference (a). Ensure a point of contact is included in the submitted e-mail or message. e. Exams for CDCZ/ACOA Sailors or recalled reservists will be ordered by the command holding the service record of the Service member. Authority is granted for these candidates to be administered exams with the Active-Duty exam administration. However, all SELRES including CANREC candidates are still required to take the cycle 109 SELRES exam and not the cycle 252 (E-4 through E-6) Active-Duty exam. f. When an exam is not used during the normally scheduled event, do not destroy the exam prior to 1 October 2021. g. Cycle 109 exams should only be administered from 1 August through 12 September. Refer to paragraphs 4.g.(1) and 4.g.(2) below for requests to retain exams for late administration on the next drill weekend in September 2021. Approved late administrations must be administered prior to 1 October 2021. (1) Since SELRES may take the NWAE anytime from 1 August through 12 September, Annual Training (AT) and Additional Duty for Training (ADT) orders are not a valid reason for Sailors to take the late administration. ESOs shall ensure that Sailors take the NWAE prior to going on AT/ADT orders or when Sailors return from their AT/ADT. If a Sailor will be on AT/ADT during the entire time of the scheduled advancement exam, then the ESO shall coordinate with the gaining command to forward the Sailors exam and EAW. (2) Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) (N321) has the final approval for all late administration requests, but all SELRES late administration requests must come through the Navy Reserve Force ESOs prior to contacting NETPDC. The Command ESO must e-mail the Navy Reserve Force ESOs at CNRFC_Reserve_Forces_ESO(at)navy.mil and carbon copy their Immediate Superior in Command ESOs for validation of their late administration request. Once the Reserve Force ESOs validate the reason of the request, the command ESO will request approval from NETPDC to allow the Sailor to take the late exam. A request for approval from NETPDC must be submitted with justification via e-mail to sfly_N321_exam_order(at)navy.mil for permission to retain exams for late administration on the next drill weekend in September 2021. Ensure the reason for a requested delay is included. h. ESOs must verify the exam orders at the *View Previous Exam Orders* link via the NEAS website within 7 to 10 days of placing the order. If exam order discrepancies are noted, contact NETPDC (N321) as listed on the NEAS website at NETPDC (N321) Point of Contact Table. 5. Exam administration and answer sheet returns a. SELRES E-5 through E-6 and E-4 PRISE-R exam administrations will occur from 1 August through 12 September 2021. Administration for all late exam administrations will follow guidelines in references (a) and (b). b. Every effort should be made to spread the administration of the exams evenly throughout the exam administration period, in order to minimize the number of exam-takers at any one administration to ensure maximum social distancing. c. All commands should develop a plan to meet COVID-19 mitigations. Every effort should be made to ensure appropriate COVID-19 mitigation measures are in place, to include, but not limited to, face coverings if not fully immunized (two weeks beyond final dose), adequate social distancing, available hand sanitizer, medical (questionnaire) screenings and temperature checks. d. Following the administration of exams, it is critical that ESOs expeditiously mail in answer sheet packages to NETPDC (N321). Do not hold exams until the end of the testing window. Prompt return of answer sheets will help ensure results are released in a timely manner. For answer sheet return instructions, refer to chapter 6 of reference (a). e. ESOs must check the exam tote board on the NEAS website often to ensure answer sheets have been received and processed. Answer sheets that are in error will not be counted until they are processed successfully. f. All candidates serving on voluntary recall, mobilization or as CANREC will compete for advancement as a SELRES and participate in this advancement cycle. 6. Discrepancy Correction a. A detailed discrepancy list can be found at the NEAS website via MyNavy Portal. For guidance on discrepancy correction requirements, refer to chapters 3 and 7 of reference (a). b. Post-exam administration discrepancy correction correspondence with NETPDC (N321) is to be submitted using the EAW post-exam administration comments (PAC) function, refer to reference (e). All corrections must have CO/OIC letter and supporting documentation included as attachments. Education point corrections require a submission of a screen shot of the joint service transcript display indicating the degree type and date of completion. c. For guidance on E-4 through E-6 candidates with missed exams due to assignment in CDCZ/ACOA, refer to chapter 6 of reference (a). 7. Examination results. Refer to chapter 7 of reference (a). 8. Any additional information regarding this cycle will be posted on the NEAS website. 9. Points of contact a. MyNavy Career Center (MNCC) is available 24/7, by phone at (833) 330-6622 or via e-mail at askmncc(at)navy.mil. b. SCI exam questions and orders via phone at (850) 473- 5867/DSN 753 or via e-mail at sfly_cryptologic.products(at)navy.mil. c. Non-SCI exam orders by phone at (850) 473-6148/DSN 753 or via e-mail at sfly_n321_exam_order(at)navy.mil. d. NWAE exam records, and discrepancies by phone at (850) 473-6148/DSN 753 or via EAW PAC function. 10. Any additional information regarding this cycle, to include the exam verbatim and other related documents, will be posted on MyNavy Portal at https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/advancement-and-promotion/command- information. 11. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 12. Released by Rear Admiral James P. Waters, N13.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//

The US Navy (USN) has declared initial operational capability (IOC) of Raytheon’s Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) aboard nuclear aircraft carriers. The declaration means the USN’s Lockheed Martin F-35Cs can use the GPS-based guidance system to land on carriers. https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/us-navy-declares-joint-precision-approach-and-landing-system-operational/143883.article

June marks the start of "PCS Season." Over the next few months, thousands of Sailors and their families are beginning to pack up and move to a new duty station. Here are a few helpful tips from the experts. Finding your next job and getting to your next duty station successfully starts long before the packing begins. Sailors nearing the start of their orders negotiation window should check their records and ensure all qualifications and Navy Enlisted Classifications are listed and up to date. This simple records check will significantly impact what you are qualified to apply for and might make the difference in getting the orders you want and need for your career. Sailors with questions about the process or what is available to them should reach out to their detailer, who is one of their main advocates during the orders process. Once a Sailor is approved for orders and knows where they are headed, that is the time when they can build a personalized timeline, get packing tips, to-do lists and checklists with the Plan My Move online tool. A good idea is to not finalize any personal plans until orders are in hand. It is recommended, if able, to schedule move dates and begin packing once orders are in hand. Take a full inventory of your belongings. A smartphone, tablet or computer is an easy way to keep records of everything in your home. Free home inventory software is available at Ready.gov. You could also check with your insurance company to see if they have recommendations for an inventory app. Start early in planning what you will carry with you and what will be packed by the movers. Knowing what to pack and what to take with you is vital. Once you arrive at your new duty station, you may have to wait for your belongings to be delivered. This is especially true for those relocating overseas, where furniture and vehicles could take several months to arrive. Examples of essential items that you’ll need to keep with you at all times during your move include a copy of your orders, military IDs, driver’s licenses, social security cards and passports for every member of the family. If anything is damaged or lost during the move, you’ll need your insurance company information and your inventory on hand to file insurance claims. Don’t pack your inventory and send it with the movers — it might not make your destination. Bring it with you. Consider whether you will need other documents such as marriage, divorce, birth and naturalization certificates, as well as medical and medication information for each family member. Consider bringing electronic copies of items as a backup on your computer or smart devices. Research the area you are going to before you leave and have your temporary lodging details worked out ahead of time. If you haven’t been assigned one, ask your new command for a sponsor. Line up a sponsor and leverage them for details and points of contact to ensure you have someone to ask as urgent questions arise. As you get ready to leave your current house for the last time, don’t forget to forward your mail and make sure your pets are prepared for the move. Take a deep breath as you head off on your new adventure. Just remember to be as flexible as possible because things don’t always go according to plan. Part of taking charge of your move is expecting the unexpected. Moving is a challenging experience for children. Tell them about the move as soon as possible. Reassure them that the essential things in life – such as how much you love them – won’t change. For help, there is Military Kids Connect, an online community designed to help military children ages 6–17 deal with the psychological challenges of military life, including frequent moves. If you use these moving tips, you will be ready for your next move!

Agree, this is a strange one.

So... Not official but what we have so far is: Cycle 108 - SELRES 24 June - TRIAD Release 25 June - Public Release Cycle 251 - AD/FTS 8 July - TRIAD Release 9 July - Public Release I'll go with that, thank you @hayes .

I can't remember any time when something like this has happened where two announcements are removed.

BATH, Maine — The Navy's speedy littoral combat ships had propulsion failures. The gun on its stealthy destroyer is a dud because of expensive ammo. Its newest aircraft carrier had problems with the system that launches aircraft. On top of that, embarrassing photos of rusty ships online have underscored delays in maintaining warships, made worse by the pandemic.

NEX patrons at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland and Naval Station Everett, Washington, are the first in the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Enterprise to test its new service for laundry and dry cleaning - Tide Cleaners Lockers. “The mission of NEXCOM is to provide quality goods and services at a savings to all our deserving Sailors and military families,” said Lil Blansett, Operation Service Specialist at NEXCOM. “The laundry and dry cleaning business has been difficult over the past several years, but even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our search for a solution, we contracted with the vendor Tide Cleaners Lockers to provide a much needed service to our customers.” To get items laundered, customers need to first download the Tide Cleaners Lockers app and then place the items they want laundered in a locker. From the app, the customer can choose to have the items dry cleaned, pressed only, laundered as well as washed and folded. Customers can also choose wash preferences for each item, to include type of Tide detergent and preference on starch. Customers then submit their order through the app. The vendor who launders the items sets the cost per item and the price may vary based on location. For example, to dry clean a formal dress costs $14.39 while to wash and fold items is $2 per pound at NAS Patuxent River. Monthly subscriptions are available. The phone app also lists a time the items will be picked-up from the locker, and based on that time, it will also lists a return date and time. On average, the laundered items are returned in 3 - 4 days. Currently, there are 16 lockers available at NEX Patuxent River for customers to utilize during NEX operating hours and 52 lockers in three locations at NS Everett. Blansett stated NEXCOM is looking to expand the service in the future where there are Tide Cleaners Lockers franchisees that can support NEX locations. Quick Facts NEX patrons at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland and Naval Station Everett, Washington, are the first in the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Enterprise to test its new service for laundry and dry cleaning - Tide Cleaners Lockers.

As Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reviews the US military's footprint across the globe, one top lawmaker is questioning whether a new combatant commander is needed to meet growing threats from Russia and China in the increasingly accessible Arctic.

The Department of the Navy is taking a look at contracting, grooming policies and several other areas in the name of improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the Navy and Marine Corps.

May 2021 Sailor-to-Sailor Newsletter

UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 211331Z MAY 21 MID200000877953U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 100/21 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/MAY// SUBJ/CANCELLATION OF URINALYSIS POLICY UPDATE// REF/A/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/272107ZMAR20// REF/B/DOC/N1/4JUN09// REF/C/WEBPAGE/CDC// REF/D/DOC/UPC OPGUIDE// NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 092/20, URINALYSIS POLICY UPDATE. REF B IS OPNAVINST 5350.4D, NAVY ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL. REF C IS CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) COVID-19 HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AVAILABLE AT HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/CORONAVIRUS/2019- NCOV/PREPARE/PREVENTION.HTML. REF D IS THE URINALYSIS PROGRAM COORDINATOR (UPC) OPERATIONAL GUIDE (OPGUIDE).// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the cancellation of reference (a), a temporary amendment to the Navy urinalysis program to minimize Sailor exposure to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from 27 March 2020 and provides recommendations for safe collection procedures. This cancellation aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announcement supporting the safe return to many activities halted during the pandemic. Additionally, maintaining a robust and drug free workplace is Navys best deterrence to misuse of illicit and prescription drugs. 2. Commands will return to normal testing procedures and requirements as outlined in reference (b), including the requirement in paragraph 6.a., enclosure (2) to provide their echelon 3 commander with the reason for failing to comply with reference (b). This includes areas/situational environments where COVID-19 restrictions limit or prevent normal testing implementation. Commands shall not recall individuals who are restricted in movement or quarantined, except in cases of probable cause, or as determined by the commanding officer in consultation with local judge advocate general officer. Telework does not excuse an individual from participating in urinalysis. 3. Sailors assigned to non-Navy activities will follow the policy of those activities. 4. Commands shall continue to observe the most recent safeguards as recommended by the CDC in reference (c). a. All urinalysis specimen collection testing shall comply with Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) policies and should follow CDC Health Guidance. b. All participants should engage in safe hygiene practices, which may include wearing a mask, hand washing, maintaining social distance and refraining from touching their face or as stated in reference (c). c. Administrators should wipe down all surfaces contacted (after each contact) throughout collection to include tables, faucets and door handles. d. The Urinalysis Program Coordinator (UPC) and an assigned person (observer or other) shall check each bottle cap for tightness as outlined in reference (d). e. Sailors, UPCs and observers should avoid personal touch as necessary and should wash their hands after any contact during this process. 5. For additional information or questions, the urinalysis program point of contact is Ms. LaNorfeia Parker, OPNAV N173, at (901) 874-4249/DSN 882 or lanorfeia.parker(at)navy.mil. 6. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, whichever occurs first. 7. Released by Vice Admiral John B. Nowell, Jr, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//

Sailors would get easier access to mental health providers in their own units under a new plan from Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Harker. Harker told reporters Wednesday he asked both the Defense Department and Congress to shift funds in the current budget to increase mental health services for members, including more specialists embedded in units.

The U.S. Navy has confirmed it will decommission the first two Littoral Combat Ships, likely beginning what could be a unhappy reckoning with a program that has consumed billions of dollars without delivering much in the way of useful capability. A year after announcing its desire to get rid of the oldest four LCSs in order to avoid the high cost of upgrading the vessels, the Navy has firmed up its plans for the first two of the troubled, near-shore ships.

So I guess it did not happen. If anyone knows why MyNavyHR removed their message please post.

Well, for some odd reason MyNavyHR took down this message after I had posted on this forum. I will leave it up for now but please be aware that it may not be valid.

20 May - Bupers Online TRIAD Notification, anticipated 1300 CDT/ 1400 EST. 21 May - NAVADMIN Release, anticipated 1300 CDT/ 1400 EST.

Don't Miss Your Opportunity. Over 50 Recruiters are standing by to chat with you! Gain the Competitive Edge with this Event.

The SBA is excited to announce that we’re hosting a virtual SBA OCONUS Military Spouse Entrepreneur Summit in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes for military spouses located outside of the continental United States (OCONUS).