Achieving the rank of chief petty officer is often the most significant career milestone for enlisted Sailors. However, unlike previous promotions, passing the test is just the beginning as selection board-eligible Sailors aboard USS George H.W. Bush are finding out.

Typically, the top 60 percent of E-7 test takers are selection board-eligible, which means their service record will be reviewed by the chief petty officer selection board.

What the board looks at is the Sailor's Official Military Personnel File and Performance Summary Record. If any information is missing from the candidate's record, they are authorized to communicate to the board via letter to account for the missing information. Collectively, these documents and records make up a candidate's "package."

"The package is a way for the board to see who you are," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Tommy Alger. "It encompasses the candidate's entire career up until this point. It's pretty much everything you've done both in your professional rate and out of it."

Candidates should ensure their packages are as accurate as possible by keeping their records up to date and double checking their information throughout their career.

"Anything that you feel was important to you, make sure it gets into your record," said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Rashad Brice. "If you put in the time and work to make your package as accurate and up to date as possible, you should be fine."

Brice also said to never stop asking your peers and mentors for help on improving your record.

When reviewing a candidate's record, members of the board look at Sailors who not only meet standards, but exceed them. As a former member of the CPO selection board, Master Chief Naval Aircrewman (Avionics) Reginald Rivers said that is what makes a candidate stand out.

"The most important thing is to get the qualifications that are required while you're at your duty station," said Rivers. "If you submit a package and you don't have your primary or secondary warfare pin, or if you're missing information, you're shooting yourself in the foot."

Rivers also said the board looks at whether or not the candidate volunteered for any community relations events, collateral duties, and involvement in organizations such as the First Class Petty Officers Association. Candidates who are proactive in their careers before becoming eligible are considered to be more competitive for advancement.

"One good year of [evaluations] does not make you a chief," said Rivers. "The board looks back at five years of competitive evals amongst the candidates and his peers, and they select the most qualified of those to advance."

Candidates like Alger hope all the preparation was enough.

"I've been in the Navy for 10 years and it would mean the world to me if I made chief," said Alger. "It would be a huge accomplishment for me, and one that I would repay by lending a hand in helping the careers of my Sailors."

According to NAVADMIN 014/16, candidates' packages must be submitted by May 31. The active-duty CPO Selection Board will review the submissions and determine which board eligible candidates will be selected as chief for fiscal year 2017.

GHWB is currently undergoing a planned incremental availability period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Visit http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/BOARDS/Pages/default.aspx/ for more information on CPO Boards.

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For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit http://www.navy.mil/.