Enlisted Sustainability Initiative: Elevating Our Warfighting Readiness

[Tony]

By CDR Michelle L. Burt, BUPERS-352, Reserve Enlisted Community Manager and CDR Johnathon D. Wainwright, OPNAV N0951C, Office of the Chief of Navy Reserve Personnel Policy Lead

WASHINGTON, DC  –  
The Enlisted Sustainability Initiative (ESI) was approved in November 2022 as a multi-year effort to review and overhaul our Enlisted Force Structure. ESI supports the "Develop the Force" line of effort in the Navy Reserve Fighting Instructions (NRFI). SELRES enlisted Sailors play our most crucial role in maintaining and enhancing warfighting readiness. ESI aims to ensure the force structure not only meets current demands but also positions the Navy Reserve for future success.

What is ESI?

The ESI focuses on re-optimizing the SELRES enlisted paygrade structure. The ESI found an imbalance of journeymen (E5 and E6) and a shortage of supervisors (E7 and above) hampering advancement opportunity, and subsequently retention rates. By addressing this, the ESI seeks to stabilize community health and enhance retention, which directly impacts warfighting readiness.

The initiative creates an increase in E7, E8, and E9 authorizations in parity with the rank structure of the active component, creating fluid career continuity from E6 and below to the Chiefs’ Mess. This shift aims to create more opportunities for long-term advancement, encouraging Sailors to stay Navy and grow within the Reserve, regardless of the point in their career when they affiliated.

This shift aims to create more opportunities for long-term advancement, encouraging Sailors to stay Navy and grow within the Reserve.

In alignment with ESI, recruitment will shift to more prior service accessions over time. The ESI capitalizes on prior service Sailors, who bring unique, invaluable fleet experience and knowledge, crucial for mission success. By leveraging prior service training and skills, immediate warfighting capability is enhanced.

The cost of this initiative, approximately $6.8 million annually, is a necessary investment in the Navy Reserve's future. It ensures that as Sailors advance, they have clear pathways and robust support, making their service in the Navy Reserve both fulfilling and impactful. Community leaders are deeply committed to overhauling their respective communities, with an anticipated completion by FY25. Completion of this optimization strengthens the collective force.

Warfighting readiness remains the number one priority. The ESI is not just about numbers; it's about ensuring the Navy Reserve has a capable, motivated, and well-structured force ready to meet any challenge. Higher retention and increased advancement opportunities mean a more experienced and prepared force, ready to support missions at home and abroad.

Bottom Line:

The commitment of SELRES enlisted Sailors to the Navy Reserve is invaluable. The ESI aims to honor that commitment by providing the structure and opportunities they deserve. Together, the Navy Reserve will enhance warfighting readiness, ensuring it remains a formidable and ready force. This initiative also facilitates a continuum of service through a full thirty-year career, all the way to Master Chief Petty Officer. ESI marks a pivotal step in building a stronger, more resilient Navy Reserve Force.