NAVADMIN 177/15, released July 29, establishes the Command Senior Chief (CMDCS) rating to provide earlier leadership opportunity for senior enlisted.

Initial eligibility for conversion to the CMDCS Rating will be those active duty Sailors assigned the 9578 Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC). All future conversions to the CMDCS rating will be through the annual CMDCS administrative selection board.

"The CMDCS rating strengthens the command leadership triad and provides our very best senior chiefs increased responsibilities in this rating while enabling greater levels of experience as they advance through the ranks," said Fleet Master Chief April Beldo, fleet master chief for Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPT&E).

Sailors with a 9578 NEC must request conversion or decline conversion to the rating by submitting NAVPERS Form 1306/7 to the command master chief detailer, no later than Aug. 31, 2015.

This is a one-time opportunity for those eligible to convert. Future conversion to the CMDCS rate will be automatic from the annual administrative selection board.

Although highly encouraged, Sailors holding the 9578 NEC do not have to convert to the CMDCS rating. Those requesting not to convert will remain in the program until their projected rotation date (PRD), and will then be made available to their respective source rating detailer when in the detailing window.

For more information, read the NAVADMIN 177/15 at the Navy Personnel Command website www.npc.navy.mil.

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