Sailors in Japan who enlisted as part of Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) met with Enlisted Community Managers (ECM) and detailers during the Career Development Symposium (CDS) in Japan and left with more knowledge about their career paths and some with designated rates.

Sailors had the valuable opportunity to meet ECMs on an individual basis as the Career Development Symposium steamed through Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Jan. 16-19.

The visits resulted in a total of 194 PACT Sailors with rating opportunities, specifically 65 in Yokosuka and 129 in Sasebo, Japan.

"At any given time we have about 3,800 PACT Sailors in the aviation program, and only 33% are eligible to designate, and it's a challenge to talk to them all, especially in Japan," said Cmdr. Case Garrison, BUPERS-323, Aviation ECM, assigned to BUPERS Millington. "By coming out here we have an opportunity to talk directly to those Sailors and get a sense for what they really want, find if they have any strong affinities for certain rates, and get them the ratings they need."

PACT is the Navy's program for undesignated Sailors guiding them into career paths through general apprenticeship and on-the-job training that aligns the Sailors preference with manning needs.

"In addition to the benefits to individual Sailors of selecting a rating to begin their Navy careers in earnest, the CDS-Japan gives us the opportunity to educate junior Sailors and many of their Career Counselors," said Capt. Vincent Segars, BUPERS-3, Head Community Manager, assigned to BUPERS Millington.

"This visit and others like it allow us to clarify PACT program policy and dispel some of the myths and rumors that remain in the Fleet following the transition of the Navy's undesignated Sailor program from GENDET to PACT," Segars added.

The PACT program encourages mentorship as Sailors unsure of which career field in the Navy interests them get the opportunity to try out different jobs and build knowledge through on-the-job training. The program has three apprentice career tracks within aviation (A-PACT), engineering (E-PACT) and surface (S-PACT).

"I'm excited," said Seaman Nicholas Kuhnert, assigned to Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, "I'll have a rate in the Navy; start going to school and get the training I need. Then I can start taking the exams, make rank, and start a Navy career."

PACT is one of several career development programs available to the Fleet, said Rear Adm. John Meier, Assistant Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-4). "We are focused on supporting the needs of the Navy, which means ensuring the Fleet has a ready and trained force. By directly engaging with our Sailors at events such as the career development symposium here in Japan and leveraging the PACT program, we are able to provide them career opportunities that are professionally and personally rewarding."

For more details regarding CDS, explore the CDS Webpage at https://go.usa.gov/xnp7P

For more information on the PACT program visit:
http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/enlisted/detailing/shorespecialprograms/Pages/PACTDetailing.aspx

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/