Command Advancement Program Proves Beneficial For Two Wasp Sailors
Story Number: NNS020717-06
Release Date: 7/11/2002 9:45:00 PM
By Fireman (SW/AW) Vernishia R. Vaughn, USS Wasp Public Affairs
ABOARD USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- There is more than one way a Sailor can earn a promotion in the Navy. Recently two Wasp Sailors earned their petty officer first class chevrons by participating in the command advancement program.
The command advancement program (CAP) was established to work as an incentive for personnel to be recognized for their performance at sea or deployed. The one requirement Sailors have to meet is to be eligible for the next paygrade.
“The command advancement program is in Bupers Instruction 1430.17e,” said a Wasp command career counselor, Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW/AW) Gene Garland of Fayetteville, N.C. “It was created to give overachieving Sailors, who don’t advance off an exam, meritorious advancement to the next higher paygrade. It is a great program.”
Yeoman 1st Class (SW/AW) Toya Woodson, who joined the Navy a little more than 19 years ago for discipline and the adventure of it, is proud of her achievement. She has been a leader and role model for many Sailors that have crossed her path. She prepares today’s junior Sailors to be good leaders for tomorrow, knowing that their turn to relieve the watch will come.
Taking the test numerous times and not being advanced to petty officer first class became very tough on Woodson. However, getting "CAP'ed" may be the highlight of a stellar career.
"The whole thing was and still is a big shock for me,” said Woodson of Albuquerque, N.M. “This has changed how I see the Navy. I am now convinced there are people in the Navy who see what you do and recognize hard work.”
Woodson wasn’t the only one that was advanced to first class petty officer. Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class (SW/AW) Lance Kustaborder was also noticed for his hard work after many unsuccessful attempts to advance to first class through the exam.
On a Sunday during holiday routine, the chief engineer (CHENG) burst into the hull technician office and told everyone to get out into the shop.
Kustaborder wondered what the big deal was. He saw ice cream and everyone enjoying it in the welding area of the shop. He was still confused. Chief Don Marstein and Lt. Cmdr. George Bain proceeded to cut off the second class crows on his coveralls, and that’s when the commanding officer presented him with six first class crows and congratulated him on advancing to petty officer first class. Just like Woodson, Kustaborder was shocked.
“Being advanced to petty officer first class has made me more responsible,” said Kustaborder of Bellwood, Pa. “I don’t mind it, because I have already learned the leadership part and I use it to help others accomplish their goals.”
For Woodson, who was close to retiring, advancing to petty officer first class has helped her to stay Navy. Re-enlisting a couple of days ago proved that she appreciates what the Navy did to help her to get where she is. She also admits there is a lot of love in what she does, and that played a part, too.
“With my job, you never stop learning. It is important because you could have the best division on board, but if your work isn’t correct it doesn’t matter how good you are. Good customer service is very important,” said Woodson. “Staying Navy, I want to continue to take care of the junior Sailors because they have helped to make me who I am.”
Tasks of a yeoman may seem easy to some Sailors on board, but if you are working as the captain’s yeoman, it can be hard. Jokingly, Woodson says getting the XO to do half of the things he is asked to do is what makes her job hard.
For Kustaborder, a small town Sailor who completed high school and three years of vocational technical school, getting the job done right the first time is what makes him proud. Providing the ship with major services, such as disposing of human waste and keeping the ship moving when doing weld repairs for the main spaces, is what keeps him going.
“The tough part of my job is keeping up with trouble calls submitted,” said Kustaborder. “Another tough part is when people mess with a system they know nothing about. Other than that, I enjoy what I do.”
These two Sailors are living examples of what happens when you consistently exceed expectations. Just because you have not advanced doesn’t mean you have to give up. It may take more time, more study or the CAP program may just come your way. Woodson and Kustaborder proved that hard work and determination will be noticed.
