Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Phillips | 190314-N-GY475-0001 NORFOLK, Va. (Mar. 14, 2019) Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Ariana...... read more read more
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It’s that time of year again. Khakis surround the test-takers on the aft mess decks. They pace around purposefully, arms folded, eyes on hands and pencils that seem to scribble furiously. The silence is so complete and absolute that the clock on the wall can be heard ticking. Too fast for some… way too slow for others. A Sailor somewhere sighs heavily. Brows are furrowed and lips are pursed as they carefully read white booklets filled with questions. Each Sailor has a different test, yet all are faced with the same trial. They all want to advance to the next paygrade. In addition to this, the score that impacts an entire career isn’t limited to the exam either.
During the spring 2019 cycle, two hundred and thirty nine first-class petty officers onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) were the first to be put to the test. These Sailors will soon see how their scores will be evaluated because the new NAVADMIN 312/18 changes the way Final Multiple Scores (FMS) will be calculated.
The Navy is making these changes as part of the rating modernization efforts and the Sailor 2025 initiative. Rating modernization assists the Sailor 2025 initiatives with the goals of redefining career fields and improving talent management and the detailing process. Sailor 2025 is intended to increase Fleet readiness and sustainability.
“Our current evaluation system is based off quotas,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Natalie Camden, Truman’s education service office leading chief petty officer. “Unfortunately, with this current system we’re not always able to recognize all of our outstanding Sailors. So with adding this caveat into the process, it’s giving the Sailors who are out-performing and the most qualified an extra ‘umph’ when they go into a command advancement exam.”
Sailors that maintain an individual standard of excellence may be able to directly benefit from 312/18. One notable change includes using the Reporting Senior’s Cumulative Average (RSCA) and the Individual Trait Average (ITA) to calculate an E-6 and E-7 Performance Mark Average for candidates.
“I think the changes are beneficial for all the E-6s taking the exam,” said Ship's Serviceman 1st Class Daphne Lindsey, who recently took the exam. “It lets us know we don’t necessarily have to be a good test-taker in order to make board.”
Sailors aboard Truman have expressed a sense of reassurance after taking the test.
“I really did feel more confident going into my exam,” said Lindsey. “I have only been here about a year and there are a lot of competitive first classes on this ship. With the way the evaluation quotas are set up, not everyone can be an EP (early promotion) Sailor. But with these new changes, the odds seem to be more in my favor.”
NAVADMIN 312/18 offers room to acknowledge hard working Truman Sailors.
“I think this will give those newer well-rounded Sailors a chance to promote if they have good evaluations,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Jammal Swilley, who took the test this past cycle. “Although I think PMA points are necessary, I believe that an evaluation and command endorsement should definitely play a role in the Navy’s advancement program.”
Camden expressed her support of the command-endorsed goal toward pushing Sailors to advance.
“This whole NAVADMIN is pretty much the Navy trying to keep its best and brightest motivated,” explained Camden. “We have some all-star performers here and I definitely think this will help this warship and the caliber of Sailors we have.”
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2019 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 315458 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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