Four Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) received meritorious advancement through the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP) during an awards ceremony, June 30.

The Sailors advanced to the next pay grade were:
* Gas Turbine Systems (Mechanical) 2nd Class Orlo Bartholomew
* Electronics Technician 2nd Class Gregory Devore
* Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class Timothy Duffey
* Gas Turbine Systems (Mechanical) 3rd Class Loyde Kawalsingh

The Sailors are allowed to begin wearing the uniform for their next paygrade and will begin receiving pay for the next paygrade July 1.

Truxtun's Command Master Chief Roger Harding said it is always a pleasure to reward those hard-charging Sailors when we get the opportunity.

"These Sailors have been working hard throughout the ship exceeding the expectations of their chain of command," said Harding. "They deserve this promotion and I believe they will do well with the increased responsibility that comes with the next paygrade."

MAP was instituted by the Navy in July 2015 replacing the Navy's Command Advancement Program (CAP). According to the Navy Personnel Command website, MAP authorizes commanding officers to advance eligible personnel in pay grades E-3 through E-5 to the next higher pay grade.

The program is part of the Navy's ongoing talent management initiatives used to empower the command triad to advance their top-performing Sailors. MAP provides commands the opportunity to recognize their best Sailors, advancing them when they are ready for the next level of responsibility.

The program was expanded in fiscal year 2016 to include eligible shore commands, pre-commissioning units and Professional Apprenticeship Career Tract (PACT) Sailors.

Duffey was surprised when he learned he was selected by the command to receive a MAP quota.

"I couldn't believe it when the CO called my name over the 1MC," said Duffey. "I'm excited to finally become a petty officer and I can't wait to show my chief I can handle more responsibility in our division."

Truxtun is part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.

GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-2; aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff; guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103); and guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Hue City (CG 66).

Truxtun is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

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For more news from USS Truxtun (DDG 103), visit www.navy.mil/.