Navy Petty Officer Advancement Not Slowed by War on Terrorism
Story Number: NNS080214-15
Release Date: 2/14/2008 3:50:00 PM
From Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center Public Affairs
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) is helping Sailors who may have missed advancement tests while serving overseas.
The policy regarding administration of the Navy-wide advancement examinations for Sailors in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa is outlined in Navy administration message 336/07, which was released Dec. 13.
Based on this policy, both active and reserve personnel who serve in theater, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Horn of Africa, for a consecutive 30 days with boots-on-ground experience are eligible to take advancement examinations before or after the scheduled deployment. The policy applies if the Sailor was deployed, deploying, or returning from deployment on the regular test date.
There may be times when they don't have the chance to take a regularly-scheduled advancement exam. The Navy schedules active-duty exams on specific dates in January, March and September, and during February and August for the reserves.
"The process was set into motion a few years ago," explained Jim Hawthorne, the division head for Navy examination administration. "We want to make testing easier, faster and smoother. We're catering to a large number of Sailors and we don't want to penalize those who are at the front line in the war on terrorism."
As a result of the policy change, the Navy Advancement Center, which is part of NETPDTC, has processed more than 410 special exams for Sailors who couldn't take the regularly-scheduled exams. The center obtained authorization to backdate advancement dates for 76 active-duty Sailors and seven naval reservists.
"We have great job satisfaction," said Ed West, Examination Records Branch Head. "At the end of each day, we know that we've helped Sailors who deserve to be recognized. There aren't many jobs in the Navy like that."
Before the Navy changed its policy, a Sailor had to petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records for a backdated advancement date. Because of a lengthy backlog, this could add months or sometimes years to dates for advancement.
