Beginning August 1, the Navy is increasing its high year tenure (HYT) policy for active duty and full time support (FTS) E-4 through E-6 Sailors by two years to bolster sea duty manning.

The extension gives Sailors aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (GHWB) more opportunities to advance, and allows many experienced Sailors to remain in the Navy to fill key sea duty and other high priority billets.

"We've reached a point in which filling sea duty billets is a challenge because of the old high year tenure policy," said Navy Counselor 1st Class Shunika Walker.

"These policy changes allow experienced Sailors to stay, earn advancement if they like, and keep the fleet manned."

The updated HYT changes for active and FTS Sailors are:
- E-4: increases from 8 years to 10 years
- E-5: increases from 14 years to 16 years
- E-6: Increases from 20 to 22 years

The updated policy affects Sailors, like Aviation Administrationman 2nd Class Daniel Fuller, who were in danger of being high year tenured out, but now have an opportunity to advance.

"This change could not have come at a better time," said Fuller. "Technical rates like mine make advancement a challenge. This allows me to stay in longer while giving me a chance to advance."

The HYT policy for all other active duty and FTS enlisted paygrades, as well as enlisted Selected Reserve Sailors, remains unchanged. As a result, the Navy will continue to offer waivers for enlisted Sailors who volunteer for sea duty on a case-by-case basis.

"The core of the Navy is its ships, especially when they are forward deployed," said Walker. "That's where the critical manning is needed and why those Sailors who are not affected by the policy change can still submit a waiver."

Sailors who have reached HYT with an approved date for separation or Fleet Reserve on or after August 1, 2017, but before January 1, 2018, have until July 31, to request cancellation of their orders or execute their orders as originally planned.

"Sailors must let their chain of command know what their intentions are before January 1," said Walker. "This grace period is for those who already reached high year tenure but then decide they want to stay in."

GHWB Sailors that are affected by the change to the policy and who
decide to continue their service can take the next advancement exam if they maintain advancement eligibility, which is welcome news for Sailors like Fuller.

"I have a family and I want to make sure that I'm able to provide for them," said Fuller. "Having this high year tenure policy extended is like getting a second wind; a second opportunity to keep studying and hopefully advance."

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