Tony

Hello... I don't know if this page gets actively monitored, but I have a ridiculous story about advancement test and how my command's sailors have yet to have their test scored due to them not being sent out until today. 25Nov2015... yes you read that correctly... today, while others are celebrating their advancement, or deciding to study harder for the next one... our sailors are wondering when they will even find out the results to their test that haven't been scored yet. Needless to say, Morale is extremely low around here, the test were mishandled, the situation was mishandled... once it was realized everyone had results but my command, Our CO updated us on the 1MC saying they found the test and the test were in route to being scored, which was incorrect... the test were actually still onboard the ship and was flown off about 4 hours later. I have to look my guys in the face and try to keep them motivated, although they worked hard, studied hard and waited 2 months to hear their name for advancement, some even stayed up late waiting for the results to come out... Only to find out, the test were never even mailed out. Its a sad day in the Navy... who is being held accountable for such a complacent act? nobody knows... Charles Sincere Brown (Posted by request, Tony)

The Navy released the names Nov. 25 of 18,491 active duty, 2,483 Reserve and 534 Full Time Support (FTS)Sailors selected for advancement during the 2015 fall advancement cycle to E-4, E-5, and E-6, Nov. 25.

Public Release of E4-E6 Advancement Results Today 11:00 November 25, exam profile sheets will be released on NAC's NKO portal and advancement lists will be released at 1100 EST here -> https://www.facebook.com/Navy-Advancement-Center-213190711299/.

E4-E6 Active Duty, Full Time Support, Canvasser Recruiter and Reserve advancement results will be released on BUPERS Online to command triads at 1100 EST today, November 24. Tomorrow, November 25, exam profile sheets will be released on NAC's NKO portal and advancement lists will be released at 1100 EST here -> https://www.facebook.com/Navy-Advancement-Center-213190711299/.

More than 23,000 Sailors will be advanced to E-4, E-5 and E-6 during the Navy's 2015 fall advancement cycle. Quotas were released Nov. 19, for E-4, E-5 and E-6 active duty, Full Time Support (FTS) and Selected Reserve (SELRES) for those advancing by the Navy-wide advancement test. Total advancement opportunity also includes 2,282 petty officers advanced earlier this year by their commands through the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP). Response to MAP from command triads and Sailors has been very positive. Based on the desire from the Fleet, MAP will slowly be expanded to shore commands next year, and will provide greater opportunity to identify and promote the Navy's most talented Sailors. A NAVADMIN will be released in 2016 outlining program changes. While overall active duty promotion opportunity remains near the Navy's 10-year average, due to high retention across the force there is more competition for advancement, and consequently a slight decrease in overall advancement for Sailors this cycle. For FTS Sailors there were drops in opportunity to E-5 and E-6, but an increase chance of advancement to E-4. FTS advancement opportunity is in response to the Navy's needs in support of active duty requirements. While advancement opportunity for Reserve Sailors is up slightly overall for the fourth straight cycle, there are still many Sailors in ratings whose advancement opportunity remains stagnant, Reserve Forces personnel officials said. Force structure changes and historically low attrition (sailors leaving) are factors determining increasing or decreasing opportunity. There is opportunity for SELRES Sailors to convert from over manned to undermanned ratings and Sailors should coordinate with their unit and Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) career counselor. Advancement results will be released to command triads through BUPERS Online (BOL), Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. EST, and Sailors' individual results are expected to be released via BOL and to Navy.mil, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. EST.Active duty advancement opportunity and quotas by pay grade: E-4 advancement opportunity decreased from 33.30 percent 32.94 percent (-.36 percentage points). Total of 9,106 quotas which includes 553 advanced via MAP. E-5 advancement opportunity decreased from 23.87 percent to 21.34 percent (-2.53 percentage points). 7,569 of quotas with 755 already advanced via MAP. E-6 advancement opportunity decreased from 17.69 percent to 15.17 percent (-2.52 percentage points). There are 3,818 E-6 quotas which includes 907 advanced via MAP.Full-Time Support (FTS) advancement opportunity by pay grade: E-4 advancement opportunity increased from 46.92 percent to 54.67 percent (7.75 percentage points). Total of 199 E-3 Sailors advanced; includes 3 advancing via MAP. E-5 advancement opportunity increased from 32.87 percent to 33.43 percent (.56 percentage points). Total 238 quotas; includes 25 already advanced via MAP E-6 advancement opportunity decreased from 18.93 percent to 14.86 percent (-4.07 percentage points). Total 166; includes 39 already advanced via MAPSelected Reserve (SELRES) advancement opportunity by pay grade: E-4 advancement opportunity increased from 44.80 percent to 56.26 percent (11.46 percentage points), total of 1065 quotas E-5 advancement opportunity increased from 23.10 percent to 26.40 percent (3.30 percentage points), total of 904 quotas E-6 advancement opportunity increased from 10.30 percent to 13 percent (2.7 percentage points), total of 510 quotas.Overall active duty advancement opportunity by pay gradeOverall Full Time Support (FTS) advancement opportunity by pay gradeOverall Selected Reserve (SELRES) advancement opportunity by pay grade

The Chief of Naval Personnel released the quotas for Active Duty, Full Time Support and Canvasser Recruiter (Cycle 228) advancement candidates, as well as the quotas for the Reserve component (Cycle 097). Quotas are based on vacancies in each rating. Advancement results will be released to command Triads on Tuesday and general release listing all advanced Sailors will be on Wednesday, November 25. Good luck to all candidates!

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The approved quotas for the fall active duty, full time support (FTS) and Selective Reserve (SELRES) Petty Officer advancements will be posted on Navy.mil at 11 a.m. EST, Nov. 19. Results for command triad only are scheduled to be posted to commands' BUPERS Online (BOL) account, Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. EST, providing commanding officers the opportunity to notify Sailors of their results prior to public release. Individual results are expected to be released via BOL and the full list of those advanced posted to Navy.mil, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. EST. For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/

Profile sheets and command Examination Status Verification Reports for Cycle 229 Active Duty and Reserve Enlisted Selection Boards for Senior Chief and Master Chief Petty Officer are now available. Individual profile sheets indicating selection board eligibility can be viewed on NAC's NKO portal. Refer to NAVADMIN 196/15 for additional Cycle 229 E8/E9 selection board information.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) played a major role in the implementation of the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP), helping to catapult the number of on-the-spot advancement quotas used Navy-wide to 99.5 percent in fiscal year 2015. According to PACFLT Master Chief Career Counselor Tyrone Jiles, in fiscal years 2013 and 2014, only 41 and 47 percent of quotas were reported, respectively, to PERS-8, . "Now that we shifted gears to fiscal year 2016, we have a better process," Jiles said. "We have more accountability with the MAP certification letter and more accuracy and timeliness of submissions; all critical for proper execution of this program and key to why we were able to get 99.5 percent quota utilization." During a speech in May at the Naval Academy, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus committed to radically boosting the number of spot advancement opportunities and revamping the out-of-date Command Advancement Program (CAP). "One of SECNAV's discussion topics talked about replacing CAP with MAP, which would allow commanding officers (CO) to petition for more of these advancements quotas," Jiles said. "Sailors are chosen for MAP by their chain of command, in which the commanding officer has final approval. Like CAP, MAP is a tool to recognize top talent in an effort to retain our best and brightest Sailors." The process change should place commands in a better position to recognize their best Sailors. The MAP program is designed to give skippers a greater ability to promote their highest performing Sailors; to allow command leadership another avenue for promotion of high-performing Sailors, instead of solely relying on traditional advancement testing. Commands may also have more opportunities to advance new petty officers or add chevrons to existing petty officers because COs can now request more quotas via MAP. Through the redistribution of unused quotas, 111 additional PACFLT Sailors were advanced during the fiscal year 2015 MAP redistribution season. "MAP provides our command the opportunity to advance our top Sailors," said USS O'Kane (DDG 77) Command Master Chief Charles Thomas. "Each department will submit an eligible candidate. The Chief Petty Officer's Mess will have a MAP board similar to a Sailor of the quarter or Sailor of the year board, and send the commanding officer recommendations of the best candidates." Jiles said his experience meeting PACFLT's newly promoted MAP Sailors, who are praising the effectiveness of the program, has been inspiring. "MAP has made a positive impact on the PACFLT area of operations," Jiles said. "I traveled throughout PACFLT during the MAP season and met with Sailors that were advanced through the program, and let me tell you that they were all smiling ear to ear. Pacific Fleet advanced roughly 900 Sailors through the MAP program and Big Navy's numbers overall were 2,277 advanced." Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Jennifer Dicostanzo, who was advanced through the MAP program aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), is just one of the many Sailors Jiles referred to. "I felt vindicated. My chain of command truly believed in me and because of that I was chosen," Dicostanzo said. "I was honored, humbled, and elated." Command quotas are based on size. A command with 100 or fewer enlisted billets can spot advance two Sailors, one to E-5 and one to E-6. Those with more than 100, but fewer than 1,000, get two E-5 quotas and one for E-6. Commands between 1,000 and 2,000 get four E-5s and two E-6s. The biggest sea duty commands, such as aircraft carriers, can spot-advance six E-5s and two E-6s. There are no quotas for E-4, so a command can use E-5 or E-6 billets to advance members to E-4. "Since we are rebalancing more of the fleet to the Pacific, you will see that there will be more advancement opportunities for Sailors through this program," Jiles said. "It is simple math. As we shift our focus to increasing the Navy's presence in the Pacific, our number of quotas will increase for candidates whose commands feel they are ready for the next paygrade." Additionally, the MAP program will expand its promotion quota numbers to some shore-based commands, with further guidance coming out next fiscal year. "We will look at all the ratings on shore duty that have the opportunity to [utilize] MAP," Jiles said. "We understand that we have some outstanding Sailors doing some great things on shore duty, and [they] should have the same opportunities as Sailors on sea-duty platforms with the MAP. And that is one of the reasons SECNAV wanted to expand this program to shore commands as well." For more news from U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit http://www.cpf.navy.mil.

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- A new application for mobile devices to allow Sailors to calculate their final multiple score (FMS) is available as of Nov. 6. The FMS application calculates the advancement formula, giving Sailors a total score based on the input of each FMS element. The app is designed to provide Sailors with quick, easy access to both resources about advancement and FMS elements, as a tool to aid in the advancement process. "As we continue to create more mobile applications for our Sailors, our goal is that the information and training that is readily available to them will allow greater flexibility and increased opportunities," said Rear Adm. Mike White, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC). "We want our Sailors of the future to be well prepared and have the tools needed to succeed." The app is targeted primarily at active duty and reserve enlisted service members, this app is a key tool for career counselors, educational service officers, chief petty officers, and junior officers who mentor and lead Sailors. "I wish I had this app when I was a junior Sailor," said Master Chief Navy Counselor James Brady, NETC force counselor. "Over the years, I have found myself teaching Sailors how to calculate their final multiple score on paper, which can be confusing to some. I believe this app will solve the problem!" Included in the app are links to specific policy and guidance manuals, such as the Naval Advancement Manual and the current naval administrative message (NAVADMIN) on advancement. The FMS app will help Sailors prepare themselves better for advancement. "Ultimately, we want Sailors to learn their rate, study hard and score as high as possible, but it is nice to be able to forecast ahead," added Brady. "Sailors should understand that knowledge and performance equals advancement. Do your best all the time and never stop learning." The FMS App is a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) tool designed to work on personal devices outside of the NMCI domain. Users can download the FMS app from the App Store and Google Play Store at no cost. The U.S. Navy Sea Warrior Program (PMW 240) produced the app and Tracen Technologies Inc., a company that specializes in integrated mobile and web solutions, was the software developer. To find the free Navy FMS app, search "Final Multiple Score Calculator" or "FMS" in app stores or in your Web browser. For more information on the Naval Education and Training Command, visit the NETC website at http://www.netc.navy.mil. For more information on Navy Advancement Center, visit the command's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Navy-Advancement-Center-213190711299/ For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.

The Navy released online Nov. 4, its recently—published, two—volume history of U.S. naval aviation. View the full article

Sailors competing for advancement to paygrades E-4 through E-6 will be awarded two points for an accredited associate's degree, and four points for an accredited baccalaureate degree or above. Education points are part of the Final Multiple Score (FMS) and will be awarded for the highest degree held. The degree must be awarded prior to the first day of the exam administration month for you to receive education points. To get degree credit from an accredited college, you must have your OFFICIAL transcript sent from your institution directly to the Joint Services Transcript (JST) formerly Sailor-Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART): COMMANDING OFFICER NETPDTC JST Operations Center N615 6490 Saufley Field Road Pensacola, FL 32509 For additional information regarding transcripts, contact NETPDTC at DSN 753-6365 or Toll Free 1-850-473-6365 or e-mail jst@doded.mil. References: https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/jst_info.aspx

Two points are awarded to advancement candidates (E4/5/6 only) who serve for greater than 90 consecutive days in Congressionally Designated Combat Zones that include Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa, (Kuwait, Guantanamo (GTMO), Joint Task Force, 515 (USPACOM) or the Joint Force Special Task Force-Philippines (USPACOM) (for service after 24 October 2001)). Individual Augmentee (IA) points can only be earned once, even though may have deployed more than once to a Congressional Designated Combat Zone. IA points are part of the Final Multiple Score formula. Contact your command Educational Services Officer if your IA points were not captured on the recent advancement cycle worksheet.

Service in Paygrade (SIPG) points, a factor of the Final Multiple Score, are awarded to Sailors (competing for E4/5/6 only) to account for experience serving in the same rating and paygrade. SIPG is calculated using years and months. Your Terminal Eligibility Date (TED) is a date to which your SIPG is computed for advancement purposes. For Inactive Reserves, SIPG is Drill Service in Paygrade (DSPG). Maximum E4/5 SIPG points is 2. Maximum E6 SIPG points is 3. TED for each exam Cycle are: E4-E6 FEB/MAR Exams – 1 July of same year E4-E6 AUG/SEP Exams – 1 January of the next year

We are continuing this week with Final Multiple Score (FMS) element information. Today, it's a description of Pass Not Advance (PNA) points. PNA points are added to your FMS (E4/5/6 only) if you pass the test, demonstrate superior performance and/or superior rating knowledge, but are not advanced to the next-higher paygrade due to quota limitations. PNA points come from two sources, your Exam Standard Score (SS) and your Performance Mark Average (PMA). You can receive 1.5 points each per cycle for a maximum of 3.0 points. Only the PNA points from the most recent five of the last six consecutive examination cycles in the same paygrade are used, so the maximum PNA point total you can earn is 15. PNA points are based on how you rank among your peers. Your PMA and SS must fall within the top 25% in your paygrade/rating to earn points when not advanced.

Award points computed in the E4-E6 FMS must be approved or earned prior to the day of the regularly scheduled examination. Awards with only a month/year date are presumed to have an ending date on the last day of the respective month. The maximum award points E4/5 candidates can earn is 10. There is a maximum of 12 points for an E6 candidate. Current list of awards and their point values – 10 Points = Medal of Honor 5 Points = Navy Cross 4 Points = Distinguished Service Medal or Cross, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross 3 Points = Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal 2 Points = Executive Letter of Commendation (max 1), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Gold Life Saving Medal, 1 Point = Letter of Commendation (Flag/Senior Executive Service) (max 2) Tomorrow we will go over your Performance Mark Average and how that FMS element is calculated.

MARCH 2016 (CYCLE 231) NAVY-WIDE PETTY OFFICER (E4-E6) ADVANCEMENT EXAMINATIONS FOR USN, FULL TIME SUPPORT, AND CANVASSER RECRUITER SAILORS Note: The Chief of Naval Personnel released guidance for Active Duty, Full Time Support and Canvasser Recruiter E4 through E6 advancement Cycle 231. The Navy-wide advancement exams for this cycle will be administered in March 2016. For cycle eligibility, minimum time-in-rate (TIR) dates must be on or before: E6 - 1 July 2013 E5 - 1 July 2015 E4 - 1 January 2016 Candidates must also meet other advancement eligibility requirements that include fitness, warfare program and leadership training requirements, as well as rating security clearances and citizenship. Contact your command Educational Services Officer if you have any advancement questions.

The Navy Advancement Center received enough answer sheets from the Fleet to set standard scores in each rating and determine what number of Sailors passed the exam in each rating. That data has been passed to Reserve, Active Duty and Full Time Support manning authorities so the quota building processes can begin. Quotas are based on vacancies in each rating and determine your opportunity to advance. NAC is on track to publish E4-E6 advancement results around Thanksgiving. Good luck to all candidates!

In Harm's Way, Displaying the Navy's role in WWII

Your Performance Mark Average (PMA) uses only the Promotion Recommendation block (Block 45) from evaluations in the current paygrade. For E4, your ESO uses evals from the past 8 to 9 months. For E5, the past 14 to 15 months are used, and E6, the past 36 months. Block 45 marks are added together, then divided by the number of evaluations used in the computation. Promotion Recommendation Point Values Early Promote = 4.00 Must Promote = 3.80 Promotable = 3.60 Progressing = 3.40 Significant Problems = 2.00 Example for PO2 Participating in PO1 Exam: Evaluation Ending Block 45 Mark 09 March 15 EP = 4.00 08 March 15 MP = 3.80 07 March 15 MP = 3.80 Add 4.00 + 3.80 + 3.80 = 11.6, divide by 3 = 3.866 Round up to 3.87 = PMA NOTE: Check the Navy Advancement Center Web site to see how your PMA is computed into your overall final multilple. (N32) https://www.nko.navy.mil/group/navy-advancement-center.

E6s eligible to advance to Chief Petty Officer should review NAVADMIN 190/15, which outlines all the requirements for the upcoming E-7 advancement Cycle 230. Candidates will be ranked ordered by their Final Multiple Score (FMS) in each rating, with only those who have an FMS that falls in the top 60% moving on to be selection board eligible. The exam is a prerequisite for the board process, where rating knowledge and performance are the only factors considered. To calculate your Performance Mark Average (PMA), use all evaluations that fall within the dates January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015. CPO candidates must have an Early Promote advancement recommendation on their most-recent observed periodic E6 evaluation to garner an early promote 1-year time-in-rate waiver.

GROTON, Conn. — A celebration of a century of submarines in southeastern Connecticut kicked off Friday with elected officials joining a modern, nuclear-powered submarine as it pulled up to the pier at what is now Naval Submarine Base New London.

Prompted by a letter from George Washington, the Continental Congress voted on October 13, 1775, to arm two sailing vessels with carriage and swivel guns in the hope of intercepting British supplies—an event now celebrated as the birth of the Navy. Two hundred forty years later, explore some surprising facts about the seafaring branch of the U.S. armed forces, from its humble beginnings during the Revolutionary War to its arrival as a world powerhouse.

Sailors who took the August Reserve Cycle 097 or September Active Duty Cycle 228 advancement exam can expect to see results around Thanksgiving. Why does it take so long? The Navy Advancement Center has to receive and process at least 95% of the Fleet answer sheets before pressing forward with exam scoring. At this time, answer sheet returns are on schedule, and we expect to provide Navy manning planners with test passer information over the next two weeks.

The Navy Advancement Center (NAC) posted the E4-E6 Active Duty and Full Time Support exam bibliographies (BIBs) on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO). Under the career management tab on NKO, select the NAC link. Then, select the BIB shortcut under the My Advancement section. BIBs are rating and paygrade specific.