CAREER NAVIGATOR 101:

In partnership with the MCPON’s office, the Fleet and your feedback, we have developed a new career management framework called the Career Navigator Program that goes into effect on 3 June. This new program changes how we do business in enlisted career management—putting Sailors at the helm to navigate their careers.

A two-part NAVADMIN has been released announcing Career Navigator.

Part One: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2013/NAV13149A.txt

Part Two: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2013/NAV13150B.txt

The first message explains the Career Navigator Program and outline future improvements. Part two provides details on the major changes, upgrades, initiatives and execution.

Both NAVADMINs should be read in their entirety, considered one source document and kept readily available for use by All Hands. This note serves as a prelude to those messages, and hopefully will prepare you for questions you may be asked.

The goal of Career Navigator is to help Sailors make informed decisions about their personal and professional career opportunities by placing the power of Navy career management systems at their fingertips. This is a major shift from how we’ve done business in the past; it opens new doors and opportunities for our Sailors.

Based on Sailor feedback, the entire career management process continuum has been reviewed and improved in lots of areas. This change affects both Active Component (AC) and Reserve Component (RC) Sailors, and increases Sailors opportunities across the entire continuum of Active and Reserve Service. Under Career Navigator, all Enlisted AC and RC career management policies, processes and information technology (IT) support systems are being organized into one overarching program, including all career events such as reenlisting, changing ratings, choosing orders, and transitioning between AC and RC (and back again).

We dismantled PTS and created a reenlistment process that is more advantageous for Sailors. The new process is simpler, provides responses sooner, and returns reenlistment power back to the Commanding Officer. Commanding Officer input is key to ensuring the right Sailors are retained in the Navy. Sailors will continue to indicate their intention to reenlist or separate with you. Knowing Sailors’ intentions is critical to accurately predicting the number of Sailors Navy will have in each skill set, rate, and pay grade going forward. In addition, we updated the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) designation process, and added new processes for Reservists to convert ratings or transition to AC. We are also implementing a new career feedback survey in Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS), and adding Sailor online access in the near future.

What is different:

• All eligible and command-approved E-6 Sailors will be approved for reenlistment on their first request (within approximately 30 days). In the near future (early Fall 2013), these Sailors will receive real-time confirmation to reenlist.

• Additionally, for all E-5 and below Sailors, we have developed categories of skill sets to streamline processing of reenlistment requests. Sailors in skills that are in the open reenlistment category will be approved on their first applications. Sailors that are in skills that are balanced will be screened according to their year group manning, so some will be approved on their first application and others may have to apply more than once. Sailors that are in skills that are in the competitive reenlistment category or that have special requirements will all be screened, but will still receive results sooner. This means that all Sailors will know the results of their reenlistment requests sooner. Approximately 75% of Sailors requesting reenlistment will receive approval on their first application and all Sailors will know at least 10 months from the end of their contract whether they will be able to reenlist in their current rate.

• The reenlistment screening process is simplified to be based on rank, performance evaluations and critical NECs.

• Sailors will check-in with their career counselors 13 months before the end of their enlistment contract - one month earlier than before - to indicate their intentions to reenlist or separate. Sailors can still change their minds after this initial check-in. We encourage Sailors to let their career counselors know as soon as possible.

• Sailors will have time to convert to another rating if there is no room in their current rating.

• The reenlistment request process has been aligned with orders negotiation through CMS-ID so Sailors will have more time to apply for the orders they want.

• In the near future, Sailors will have online access to view their information and conduct their own career research. This is meant to supplement, not change the role of Career Counselors or the Leadership Team in advising Sailors.

• PACT Designation applications will be partially filled out with corporate data as soon as Sailors become eligible to strike.

• To provide more opportunities and visibility to our Sailors, RC to AC transition requests are being automated.

• RC rating conversion requests are being automated so Sailors can more easily move from overmanned to undermanned ratings.

• The Career Viewpoint Survey will be available in NSIPS by the end of the summer so Sailors can provide direct feedback on their career opportunities.

• New Terminology will be introduced over the next three months to be clearer and change the way we think and talk and manage Sailor’s careers. Fleet RIDE will be called Career Waypoints. The enlisted career management processes in Career Waypoints include: a. Reenlistment (formerly Perform to Serve (PTS)) b. Reclassification (formerly Production Management Office (PMO)) c. PACT Designation (formerly Rating Entry for General Apprentice (REGA)) d. Conversion e. Transition between components

What stayed the same: • Sailors will continue to let you know what their intentions are, either to reenlist or separate.

• Commanding Officers will continue to endorse the Sailors they recommend for reenlistment.  For those eligible Sailors who are E-6s or in open reenlistment skill sets under the new system, the Commanding Officer's endorsement is the final approval for reenlistment. Commanding Officer input is key to ensuring the right Sailors are retained in the Navy.

Improvements  under  Career  Navigator  

Old     New  Fleet RIDE Career Waypoints PTS Career Waypoint – Reenlistment REGA Career Waypoint – PACT Designation Must be within 12 months of EAOS to reenlist Sailors can reenlist early Sailors screened using five factors: Rank, Evals, Critical NEC, PFA, months to SEAOS

Sailors screened using three factors: Rank, Evals, Critical NEC

E6 Sailors compete for reenlistment quotas

All E6 Sailors approved for reenlistment - Must be eligible and command- approved - Nuclear trained E-6 Sailors will still be screened

Rated E3-E5 Sailors competed for reenlistment quotas

Open, Balanced, and Competitive Reenlistment categories to expedite reenlistment request processing by skill set

Application Timeline: 12 months prior to SEAOS 7 looks, 12-6 months from SEAOS

Application Timeline: 13 months prior to SEAOS 8 looks , 13 to 6 months from SEAOS

Reenlistment Quota expired when previously executed extensions became operative

13 month expiration for quotas, even when previously executed extensions become operative

Reenlistment request timeline overlapped with CMS-ID, limiting Sailors choice of orders

Application process aligned with CMS-ID, maximizing Sailors choice of orders

In-rate and Conversion options offered simultaneously, leading to fewer conversion requests

Receive In-Rate decision earlier, providing sufficient time to request conversion

PACT Designation applications created individually by the Command Career Counselor

PACT Designation application partially filled out with corporate data as soon as Sailors become eligible

RC2RC Manual Conversion Process via 1306/7

RC Conversion requests automated in Career Waypoint -Conversion (RC)

RC2AC Manual Application Process RC to AC Transition requests automated in Career Waypoint –Transition (RC to AC)

RC2AC Sailors not eligible for SRB RC2AC Sailors eligible for SRB

No Sailor mechanism to provide feedback on career opportunities

Career Viewpoint Survey – Sailors able to provide feedback on their career opportunities

No Sailor access to Fleet RIDE system, completely reliant on Command Career Counselor

Sailor Portal into Career Waypoints by end of 2013 to research career opportunities and view application status

   

AC/FTS reenlistment process updates:

In response to fleet feedback, we dismantled PTS and created a reenlistment process that is more advantageous for Sailors. This revised process is effective 3 June 2013.

a. The reenlistment screening process is now simplified to be based on rank, performance evaluations and critical NECs. In FY14, we plan to completely redesign the reenlistment screening process using weighted performance factors. Future Sailor Portal enhancements will provide expanded ability for Sailors to obtain and review their competitiveness for reenlistment under the new screening process when researching career opportunities. Nuclear-trained personnel will continue to have the ability to request a reenlistment quota once eligible in a reenlistment zone.

b. Reenlistment for E6 Sailors. All eligible and command-approved E-6 Sailors will be approved for reenlistment on their first request. While there is still a need to inform the Navy of Sailor’s intentions to reenlist or separate via the Career Counselor, E-6 Sailors who desire to reenlist and have command approval to do so will be given reenlistment approval on their first application. In the near future, as our IT system is updated, E-6 Sailors and their commands will receive confirmation immediately upon application submission, resulting in no wait period. Under the updated system, Nuclear-trained personnel will receive confirmation within 15 days of their request.

c. E-5 and below reenlistment request processing. Categories of skill sets have been created to expedite reenlistment request processing for Sailors E-5 and below. All eligible and command approved E-5 and below Sailors will receive answers about reenlistment requests earlier using these categories:

(1) Open Reenlistment: Sailors in undermanned skill sets. All eligible and command approved non-Nuclear E-5 and below Sailors in open skill sets will receive approval to reenlist on their first application (within approximately 30 days). In a near-term Career Waypoints system update expected by the end of FY13, these Sailors will receive confirmation immediately upon submittal, resulting in no wait period.

(2) Balanced Reenlistment: Sailors in skill sets that are fully-manned. Reenlistment request processing for all eligible and command-approved Sailors who are in skill sets that are fully-manned will be based on the manning in their year group. Sailors in undermanned year groups will receive approval on their first application and all Sailors will know at least 10 months from the end of their contract if they will be able to reenlist in their current rate.

(3) Competitive Reenlistment: Sailors in skill sets that are overmanned or have special requirements. Reenlistment request processing for all eligible and command-approved Sailors who are in skill sets that are overmanned or that have special requirements such as the Nuclear community will follow the timeline described below for final reenlistment approval prior to SEAOS. All Sailors in this category will know at least 10 months from the end of their contract whether they will be able to reenlist in their current rate.

d. Reenlistment requests. Projected rotation date (PRD)-based reenlistment requests changes remain in effect. For Soft Expiration of Active Obligated Service (SEAOS)-based reenlistment requests, all Sailors will continue to indicate their intentions to reenlist or separate with their

Career Counselor using Career Waypoints. This career “check-in” will happen 13 months in advance of the Sailor’s end of enlistment contract, one month earlier than previously authorized. Sailors can still change their minds, and if they do, are encouraged to let their Career Counselors know as soon as possible. Understanding Sailors intentions to reenlist or separate is critical for Navy to accurately predict how many Sailors are in each skill set, rating and paygrade and ensures Sailors have the maximum opportunity to reenlist in rate, offers opportunities for Sailors to convert to a new rating, or transition between the Active and Reserve Components, and improves advancement opportunity. Although Sailor reenlistment approval will still be based on manning levels and Sailor performance, the application timeline has been significantly changed to make two critical improvements:

(1) in-rate reenlistment approval in time to review CMS-ID opportunities, and

(2) increased opportunity to apply for conversion to another Rating so that more Sailors are retained in the Navy.

e. Reenlistment request timeline change. Reenlistment requests for SEAOS-based applications will begin at 13 months prior to SEAOS vice 12 months. Sailors will now receive up to 8 looks to remain on active duty (13 to 6 months from their SEAOS).

(1) Months 13/12/11/10: During this period, Sailors submit reenlistment applications for active duty In-Rate, active duty conversion, or transition to Selected Reserves (SELRES), or indicate their intention to separate. Limiting in-rate applications to the first four looks ensures Sailors receiving in-rate approvals can utilize the full CMS-ID order negotiating window during months 9 to 6. Nuclear-trained personnel are only authorized to submit applications to reenlist in-rate 13 to 10 months from SEAOS per ref M.

(2) Months 9/8/7/6: During this period Sailors submit applications for rating conversion or transition to SELRES. At this stage, active duty in-rate applications are not authorized. Nuclear-trained personnel are only authorized to submit applications for SELRES quotas 9 to 6 months from SEAOS.

(3) Months 5/4/3: During this period Sailors may submit applications for transition to Selected Reserves (SELRES). At this point, Active Duty in-rate or conversion applications not authorized.

f. New timeline implementation. Career Waypoint-Reenlistment applications for both In-Rate and Conversion are based on the Sailor’s SEAOS month. Note: in June 2013, applications are due for Sailors with both June and July 2014 SEAOS dates. New application timelines are as follows:

(1) SEAOS of November 2013 or earlier: no impact-member has already received final reenlistment determination.

(2) SEAOS of December 2013 through June 2014: no change–member is already in the application window and will continue the legacy process.

(3) July 2014 SEAOS: submit initial application no later than 30 June 2013 due to application window starting 13 months prior to SEAOS.

(4) August 2014 or later: submit initial application no later than the last day of the month 13 months prior to SEAOS.

g. Reenlistment quota expiration update. When previously executed extensions become operative, approved reenlistment quotas will not be rescinded and will continue to be valid until the 13 month expiration date. Working with their Command Career Counselor, Sailors in this situation are encouraged to contact their Enlisted Community Manager (ECM) to reset their quota manually until 1 August 2013 when this IT system update will go into effect.

h. Early reenlistment. For AC/FT and SELRES, PERS-811 approval is no longer required for reenlistment greater than one year from SEAOS. This change applies to all Sailors regardless of whether or not the member is subject to Career Waypoint-Reenlistment approval. Sailors are encouraged to reenlist as soon as possible provided they meet all other conditions for reenlistment eligibility contained in Ref C. The term of the new enlistment contract must equal or exceed the period of service for which the Sailor is already obligated. Sailors reenlisting under Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) or Enlisted Supervisor Retention Pay (ESRP) contracts or for Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) under the Post 9/11 GI Bill must adhere to additional obligated service requirements. In addition, for TEB, Sailors are reminded early reenlistment could interfere with transfer of those benefits. Review NAVADMIN 203/09 and consult with your Career Counselor to discuss eligibility requirements.

i. ISP eligibility. A Sailor must have applied and been subsequently disapproved for all available Active Duty application cycles in order to be eligible for Involuntary Separation Pay (ISP) consideration. Denial of reenlistment alone does not guarantee ISP eligibility.

j. Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT). Sailors desiring to expand their conversion choices are encouraged to take the in-service AFCT. The most recent AFCT or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores determine conversion eligibility. Retesting does not impact in-rate applications.

AC PACT Sailor Rating Designation updates:

Effective 3 June 2013 Career Waypoint-PACT Designation (formerly Fleet RIDE-REGA) will auto-generate partially populated applications for PACT Sailors who are Time In-Rate (TIR) eligible for the Navy-Wide Advancement Examination (NWAE) and/or have at least 12 months on board their first permanent duty station.

a. PACT Sailors who meet TIR requirements for the NWAE will be able to apply for Rating Entry Designation (RED) or NWAE quotas. RED quotas are preferred because Sailors are designated in the same month as the quota is approved. Additionally, direct designation is advantageous for Sailors because it provides a career path and eligibility to participate in the NWAE as a rated E-3. Sailors on this path may perform better on the NWAE, increasing their chances for advancement since they will have more opportunity to gain experience and study in their new rating prior to the exam.

b. Sailors who have at least 12 months on board their first permanent duty station following completion of their initial skills training will be able to apply for RED or A-school quotas.

c. PACT Sailors are encouraged to research and review gapped billets on board their command and apply for ratings with gaps, which benefits both the command and the Sailor. Most Sailors will find the opportunity to gain experience and study in their new rating may lead to faster promotion, which in turn increases competitiveness for reenlistment if desired and for converting to a different rating in the future.

SELRES Rating Conversion process updates:

Effective 3 June 2013 applications for RC Sailors requesting a change in rating will be entered though Career Waypoint-Conversion (formerly RC2RC). The rating conversion process for RC Sailors will be in accordance prior guidance with the following exceptions:

a. Applications will be processed monthly by BUPERS-32 (SELRES ECM) in Career Waypoints in lieu of submission through PERS-8. b. Conversion opportunities will be updated monthly and identified as open or closed. In order to apply, a Sailor's current rating must be open to convert out and their requested rating must be open to convert in. c. Application results and official letters will be available in Career Waypoints. If approved for direct conversion, the letter will direct the Sailor's command to initiate a change of rate in NSIPS. If conversion has been approved and requires an A-school, contact information and instructions on how to request and schedule the training will be provided. d. All Sailors are encouraged to take the in-service AFCT to update their line scores and improve their conversion opportunities.

SELRES RC2AC/FTS augmentation process updates:

RC2AC transition requests have been incorporated into Career Waypoints-Transition. Additionally, SELRES and Voluntary Training Unit (VTU) Sailors can now apply for both in-rate and conversion into ratings with available AC and FTS quotas provided they meet program requirements.

a. Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) eligibility. SRB restrictions outlined in the MPM are lifted for augmented members. Reserve Sailors who augment to active duty may be eligible to receive SRB based on current active duty SRB authorizations and their amount of continuous active duty service. To be eligible for SRB Sailors must have completed at least 17 continuous months of active Navy service (other than active duty for training) but not more than 20 years of active military service. To ensure all requirements and timelines are met, visit the SRB page of the NPC website: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/payandbenefits/N130/PAGES/N130D.aspx.

b. SELRES Bonus recoupment. Reserve Sailors who received a SELRES Enlistment Bonus (EB) or SRB, and who augment into the AC prior to the completion of their SELRES bonus contract, will incur a debt for the unearned portion of the bonus. Sailors in this situation are highly encouraged to request a remission of indebtedness from the Director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy (OPNAV N13) via CNRFC N1 in conjunction with submitting their RC2AC application. Reserve Sailors can obtain guidance on the remission request process and download

formatted templates from the CNRFC Reserve Enlisted incentives (N112) website at: https://private.navyreserve.navy.mil/cnrfc/n-codes/n1/cnrfc_n112/sitepages/home.aspx. In a near-term Career Waypoint system update expected by the end of FY13, if applicable, bonus recoupment waiver requests will be automatically generated when a RC2AC/FTS application is submitted. If recoupment is not waived, Sailors will not be obligated to augment. Navy Reserve Activity (NRA) Commanding Officers (CO) must ensure members currently serving under a bonus agreement are aware of bonus recoupment or have an approved waiver prior to reenlisting on active duty. c. NRA CO for members applying to RC2AC/FTS opportunities must ensure the following requirements are verified prior to submitting an RC2AC/FTS application:

(1) Member meets all requirements to augment to AC/FTS including: physical, medical and dental readiness, basic enlistment eligibility and specific rating requirements, and HYT limits. (2) Member meets requirements listed under the additional job requirements section of the application; required documentation must be scanned and sent via NMCI encrypted email to rc_to_ac@navy.mil. (3) Member has more than 3 years until reaching HYT limits per Ref L, based on the member’s adjusted Active Duty Service Date (ADSD). No HYT waivers for AC augmentation will be authorized. HYT waivers will be considered for FTS augmentation and must be approved prior to submitting an RC2AC/FTS application. (4) Member demonstrates adequate financial stability to reenlist on active duty and relocate. (5) Members currently serving under a SELRES bonus agreement (EB or SRB) are aware of recoupment or have an approved remission of indebtedness (recoupment waiver). (6) Application and supporting documents are complete and accurate. d. RC2AC/FTS application procedures: (1) Determine the applicant’s Total Active Service (TAS) and the desired augmentation start date. TAS includes all active service time, including AC or FTS service, mobilization, ADSW, ADT, AT, CANREC, and voluntary recall. Do not include drills (Inactive Duty for Training (IDT), Inactive Duty Training for Travel (IDTT), or funeral honors) in TAS. Once TAS and desired start month are entered, the Career Waypoints system will calculate ADSD, adding the inclusive day, and determine the member’s year group. Commands are highly encouraged to contact PERS-9 for assistance with TAS computations. Miscalculations may result in an incorrect listing of Sailor AC/FTS opportunities. TAS will be verified as part of the application review process; applications with incorrect TAS computations will be returned as disapproved. (2) Using Career Waypoints, determine if RC2AC/FTS opportunity exists for the applicant. (3) Include information in the application notes section for members with the following conditions: under stop-loss; identified for mobilization or Presidential Selected Reserve Call-up (PSRC); serving in a rating listed as a Navy Reserves Enlisted Career Management Objectives (ECMO) category 1; serving in an Advanced Paygrade (APG), Navy Reserve accession course personnel who have not completed their IDT requirements; serving in a temporary rating, or pending adverse information. (4) Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an updated resume documenting civilian work experience as part of their application.

(5) RC2AC/FTS applications due no later than 2359 central time, the last calendar day of each month. Application processing will begin on the first work day of each month. Incomplete applications will be denied. (6) Once an application is submitted enter Mobilization Availability Status (MAS) Code ACR (pending/approved conditional release) in NSIPS. (7) Applications given an approved-pending status require additional documentation (described in the notes section). Requested documentation must be scanned and emailed to the ECM via NMCI encrypted email. If documents are not received within 60 days of approved-pending notification, the application may be changed to denied. (8) If approved, the member has permission to reenlist and will be expected to negotiate orders expeditiously by contacting their respective rating detailer. Members approved for augmentation must reenlist for a minimum of 48 months, unless otherwise specified by the ECM. The Sailor’s NRA CO must ensure reenlistment is documented in the correct component (e.g., branch class: 11 for AC; branch class: 32, SPI code: “V” for FTS). e. In addition to advertisement through the Career Waypoints system, augmentation opportunities will continue to be advertised through the Government Delivery (GOV-delivery) system. f. Additional RC2AC/FTS program information, including step by step application instructions, can be found at the NPC RC2AC/FTS web page at: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/reservepersonnelmgmt/enlisted/pages/enlistedreservistopportunities.aspx. g. SELRES members currently on mobilization orders are unable to submit an application in Career Waypoints; contact the BUPERS-32 RC2AC/FTS coordinator at rc_to_ac@navy.mil within 90 days of demobilization to determine if an augmentation opportunity exists. Unless specifically changed, all other enlisted career management policies remain in effect.