Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) will take part in the petty officer 1st class Navy-wide advancement exam on the ship's aft mess decks, March 3.

The Navywide advancement exams test Sailors' knowledge of basic military regulations and rate-specific training. Exams take place twice a year for qualified enlisted Sailors E-3 to E-5 and once a year for E-6s hoping to promote to chief petty officers.

Yeoman 2nd Class Alicia S. Bufford said that studying up-to-date references contained in online bibliographies is the key to successful exams.

"I've been studying day in and day out," Bufford said. "I've printed out the bibliographies, the study guides, the profile sheets, as well as all the manuals I'll need for the exam. Making sure that I advance is important to me. I'll have more responsibility, and I'll be better able to assist my junior Sailors. Although I'm nervous about taking the exam, I feel that my study habits will pay off in the end."

The ship's educational services officer (ESO) is responsible for preparing worksheets for all eligible candidates and ordering the correct test for each Sailor's rating and pay grade. Other ESO responsibilities include assigning adequate spaces for testing, scheduling exam times, securing exams until the day of the test, providing materials required for taking the exams and assigning command volunteers to proctor the exam.

"Being prepared for the exam can only help Sailors progress up the ladder of success," said Chief Personnel Specialist Kenneth Black. "It's my job as an ESO to make sure that everyone is given the opportunity to succeed."

Area commands receive requests from the ship's ESO for volunteers to proctor each exam. The proctors ensure the candidates' worksheets are signed, proper test materials are distributed, and answer any questions a candidate may have on the day of the test. Exam proctors are chief petty officers or above, and all of them are volunteers.

Once the exams are completed, ESO personnel review the paperwork and answer sheets for discrepancies and completeness before sending the tests to the Naval Advancement Center (NAC) in Pensacola, Fla. Results of the spring cycle exam are usually released in May.

For bibliographies and other advancement-related material, be sure to visit www.nko.navy.mil.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.