Detailers Visit NAVCENT, Talk Jobs With Sailors

Photo By Lt. Rachel Maul | Master Chief Quartermaster Andy Millar, Pers-40 senior enlisted advisor, speaks to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Sailors after a brief Sept. 15. Detailers and senior personnel from Navy Personnel Command met with sailors and senior leadership to talk about the detailing process and listen to concerns. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Rachel McMarr)  

BAHRAIN

09.15.2010

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rachel Maul 

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

MANAMA, Bahrain - Detailers and senior personnel from Navy Personnel Command (NPC) met with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) sailors and senior leadership at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain Sept. 14-16.

"Most of the folks seem pretty satisfied with the support they're getting," said Capt. James Caruso, senior detailer for the medical corps, and detailer who supports the 5th Fleet surgeon and Naval Branch Health Clinic Bahrain. "Everybody seems pretty positive about their experiences."

Master Chief Quartermaster Andy Millar, Pers-40 senior enlisted advisor, gave presentations to both leadership and junior sailors and talked about Perform to Serve (PTS). Millar discussed the many facts and fictions about what the detailers can and cannot do, and explained the importance of Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS-ID) and timelines for enlisted detailing.

"We try to give both the leadership and the sailors basic tools, not just here, but for later on when they go out to the fleet," Millar said.

He urged sailors to learn what to expect when they transfer, especially with the PTS program.

"My advice is that sailors [submit paperwork for] PTS early, we recommend at 15 months from their PRD (projected rotation date), so they can get multiple looks," Millar said. "And when they put in their PTS they need to apply for multiple jobs, with realistic expectations, because if they're just putting in for their individual rating, they're going to narrow down the possibility of getting selected for that PTS quota."

Cmdr. Steve Skretkowicz, a major staff placement officer whose focus is NAVCENT, but also includes NSA Bahrain and other local commands, also met with department heads and discussed manning issues and concerns.

"We want to get the right person in the right billet at the right time," he said.

Skretkowicz said it was important to him to understand the battle rhythm at the command and how it applied to transfers, along with the indoctrination process so that he can try to ensure more face-to-face turnovers.

"We try, but it's not always possible," he added.

Although detailers are not able to get out and engage with the fleet as often as they did in the past due to funding, Millar said visits like this make a difference.

"I'm able to bring back that message to Millington, what the concerns are," said Millar. "One-year tours seem to be a big concern here because as soon as a sailor gets here, they're already in the window to leave."

An added benefit of the trip, Skretkowicz said, was the chance to experience Bahrain first hand.

"I am able to say yes, the DoD (Department of Defense) school is very nice, yes they do have gym, and yes, it is air conditioned," he said, laughing. "I'm able to ease concerns of people who are potentially interested in coming to Bahrain, but have no idea what Bahrain is all about."

• Date Taken: 09.15.2010
• Date Posted: 09.17.2010 07:41
• Story ID: 56463
• Location: BH