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—Connecting with the Fleet—

Official Newsletter of the Chief of Naval Personnel

SAILOR to SAILOR Official Newsletter of the Chief of Naval Personnel To Subscribe Email usnpeople.fct@navy.mil 20 DEC Issue #11

Coming in January

2019 (Cycle 242) E-7 Navy-Wide Advance-

ment Examination (NWAE) for active and

Full-Time Support (FTS) Sailors

Be on the Lookout for these Personnel Announcements

Professional Military Knowledge Eligibility Exam

GI Bill Exception to Policy Change

Meritorious Advancement Program Update

FY 19 Full Time Support Aviation Department

Retention Bonus

COMING SOON

Check this out... Performance Evaluation Transformation Update

The development of an updated, agile coaching and performance evaluation system – part of the Sailor 2025 initiatives – concluded its third of five test phases Nov. 30. The new system emphasizes quality feedback to improve individuals and units. The new process and supporting system will help identify and differentiate talent. Fleet input has been integral in the new system’s development and results of Phase 3 are expected in January. Attributes of the new system include: placing greater value on merit over seniority or tenure, eliminating “forced distribution”, rating a Sailor’s performance on paygrade-based objective trait standards that reflect key attributes of professional competence and character, assessing value statements from within trait categories, using an expanded nine-point scale for greater distinction and leveraging intuitive responses using a time-limited feature for each value statement. Go to MyNavy Portal to read more about it and check out the coaching tool demo – www.my.navy.mil/group/performance.

ALOHA — CDS Is Coming to Hawaii

The MyNavy Career Development Symposium (CDS)

is bringing the team to Hawaii, Jan. 16-17. This is an opportunity to learn the latest about Sailor 2025 initiatives like the transformation of the counseling and performance evaluation. Subject matter experts will provide the newest information on the enlisted advancement exam changes, meritorious advancement program expansion and Navy family-friendly changes like tuition assistance and credentialing. Sailors will have an opportunity to speak face-to-face with detailers and community managers about career planning, available assignments and how to craft their careers. In addition to this personalized service, Sailors will have an opportunity to engage with the Chief of Naval Personnel,

Commander, Navy Personnel Command and MCPON. See you there!!

#BeThere for the Holidays and ACT

The holidays are an ideal time to strengthen your connections with shipmates and loved ones – a protective factor against suicide. Whether catching up via phone, social media or at a holiday gath-ering, pay attention to the subtle signs that may indicate someone is having difficulty navigating stress. Those signs may include expressing feelings of hopelessness or burdensomeness, increased substance use, withdrawal from usual activities and sudden mood changes. Even if it seems like they’re joking or being casual, if something seems out of the norm trust your gut and ACT (Ask Care Treat).

Ask – Ask directly: Are you thinking of killing yourself?

Care – Listen without judgment. Show that you care.

Treat – Get the Sailor immediate assistance. Escort him or her to the nearest chaplain, trusted leader or medical professional for treatment.

In addition to knowing the signs and when to intervene, get ahead of stress by practicing self-care this season, like eating a balanced diet, making time for exercise and getting adequate sleep.

Remember that 1 Small ACT can make a difference.

Help is available - visit www.militarycrisisline.net or call the Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) or text 838255.

Updated SRB Levels and New Performance Pilot

Navy’s Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) award plan for Active Component and Full Time Support Sailors has been updated and now includes a pay for performance pilot. Updates add award levels for 19 skills in 10 ratings, increase award levels for 35 skills in 12 ratings, decrease award levels for 59 skills in 27 ratings and remove award levels for 11 skills in seven ratings from the SRB program released May 2018, in NAVADMIN 119/18.

Increased award levels are effective immediately and decreased levels, including deletions, are effective 30 days after the release of NAVADMIN 302/18. Additionally, Sailors in seven ratings will be able receive an additional 0.5 multiple or “kicker” to their reenlistment bonus based on demonstrated superior performance as part of the performance pilot. The pilot is a Sailor 2025 initiative and is part of Navy’s effort to incentivize and promote superior performance through its bonus programs.

To be eligible for the performance kicker, Sailors must:

Be in one of the following ratings – Electrician’s Mate (EM), Engineman (EN), Gas Turbine Systems Technician (GSM), Machinist’s Mate (Surface) (MM(SW)), Damage Controlman (DC), Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) and Machinery Repairman (MR)

Have received two Early Promotes (EP) on their three most recent regular periodic evaluations – transfer, concurrent or special evaluations will not qualify

Have not received a non-judicial punishment within the last three years

Have not failed any part of the physical fitness assessment in the last three years

NAVADMIN 305/18 released Dec. 17, allows Sailors who had submitted a Combat Zone Tax Exemption or Early Promote SRB reenlistment request on or before Dec. 13 to reenlist under the one year window policy in NAVADMIN 119/18.

Eligible Sailors looking to reenlist under SRB are encouraged to work with their command career counselor, command master chief and chain of command to discuss timing and procedures for their reenlistment well before their EAOS. Requests are required to be submitted a minimum of 35 days prior to the requested reenlistment date.

Sailors can stay informed of award changes through the Navy's SRB webpage at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/enlistedcareeradmin/Pages/SRB.aspx.

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NAVADMINs 304/18 Notice of Convening FY-20 Navy Active-duty Promotion Selection Boards 303/18 February 2019 Active-duty Officer Lateral Transfer and Redesignation Board 301/18 Notice of Convening FY-19 Selection and Continuation Board to Recommend Navy Judge Advocates on the Active-Duty List in the Regular Grade of Captain for Detail as Assistant Judge Advocates General of the Navy and for Detail as Assistant Judge Advocate General (Civil Law) or Assistant Judge Advocate General (Operations and Management) 299/18 National Intelligence University 298/18 Advancement Examination Readiness Review 2nd Quarter FY-19 Schedule and Identification of Fleet Subject Matter Experts 296/18 FY-19 Full-Time Support Aviation Command Retention Bonus (corrected copy) 295/18 FY-19 Medical Department Officer Special Pays for Active Duty 294/18 Navy Guidance for Special Leave Accrual Due to Impact of Hurricane Florence 293/18 FY-19 and FY-20 Active Duty Navy Cyber Warrant Officer (W-1) In-Service Procurement Selection Board Results

—Connecting with the Fleet—

Live Well Resiliency Webinars for

January 2019

Getting A Tax Refund, What’s Next? - Jan. 10, 12:00pm (EST) This workshop provides all the infor-

mation you will need to know to get your tax refund. Learn the step by step procedure to completing all tax forms.

Home Buying - Jan. 22, 12:00pm (EST)

Buying a home can be nerve-racking, especially if you are a first-time buyer. This webinar will provide you with infor-mation on how to navigate the process, save money and avoid common home buying mistakes.

Register today at https://learning.zeiders.refineddata.com/enrol/index.php?id=7367

For a full list of topics or more information, visit http//www.cnic.navy.mil/ResiliencyWebinars

Apps Amazing!

CLREC Navy Global Deployer app has Been updated!

The app, originally released Feb. 2017, now includes EDGE (Every Deployment a Global Engagement) Courses/Videos providing training products, courses and aids designed to increase understanding of countries and

cultures worldwide. The Center for Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (CLREC) app

focuses on many Fleet concentration areas. Each nation includes guides: culture training, culture card, etiquette guide, language phrases and language guide.

The app helps prepare Navy personnel to interact successfully and cordially with local populations while living in or visiting foreign countries. It can also be down loaded from the Apple and Google App stores and the Navy App locker.

RRL Example — Submariners Advanced Training with 3D Technology Keeping up with the latest technology is vital to the way the Navy trains its personnel and maintains a ready fighting force. To help ensure submariners are receiving the right training at the right time and better prepared to do their jobs in the Fleet, Naval Submarine Base New London's Naval Submarine School (SUBSCOL) is submerging its students in a unique and versatile education with the Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System 3D (MRTS 3D).

MRTS 3D provides a virtual reality training environment that mimics video games through flat panel touch-screens, giving students the ability to perform multiple "reps and sets" through hands-on training and build upon muscle memory before actually interacting with physical equipment or systems.

The versatile training system teaches auxiliary machinist's mates spatial recognition and the entire procedure involved in starting a Caterpillar diesel engine. MRTS 3D was added to SUBSCOL's SSN 774 Diesel Operator Course in April 2015, when the legacy trainer became inoperable.

Machinist's Mate (Auxiliary) 1st Class Theodore Bezaire, instructor, Virginia Class Advanced Maintenance Pipeline said the MRTS 3D is a terrific training platform that gives students a safe space to practice casualties and learn the layout of the machinery room aboard Virginia Class submarines. "It provides something that normally we wouldn't be able to provide, that being spatial recognition, being able to locate certain valves and equipment, and being able to start up, shutdown and see accurate representation of casualties," said Bezaire.

MRTS 3D is an example of modernized, on-demand training delivery, that is being developed by Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division and piloted at Naval Education and Training Command learning centers as part of the Navy's Sailor 2025 Ready, Relevant Learning initiative. Sailor 2025 is the Navy's program to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward and retain the force of tomorrow.

Sailors who choose to opt-in to the Blended Retirement System have until

midnight Dec. 31 to enroll via MyPay at mypay.dfas.mil/. Got questions? Check out www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/blended-retirement-system.html.

Navy Supporter Nominations Sought Navy is seeking nominations for the 2018 Spirit of Hope Award and the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award for calendar year 2018.

The Spirit of Hope Award is presented to individuals or organizations that embody the core values of Bob Hope, who gave generously to military men and women for five decades. The Fisher Award recognizes private sector individuals or organizations that demonstrate exceptional patriotism and humanitarian service for members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their families, as inspired by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, founders of the Fisher House Foundation.

Criteria and instructions on how to submit nominations are detailed in NAVADMIN 297/18. Those nominated will be considered for both awards, if eligible. Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee and forwarded to the Secretary of the Navy. The deadline to receive nominations is March 8, 2019. Additional information on the awards is available at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/readiness/Pages/SpiritofHopeAward.aspx.

Another Milestone!

MyNavy Career Center (MNCC) Contact Center marks the end of its first quarter of service on Dec. 24. To date, the center has responded to more than 55,000 inquiries from the Fleet, an average of more than 700 calls or emails daily, and approximately 76 percent are resolved upon

first contact with no follow-up action required. The contact center, which launched Sept. 24, represents an evolution in Navy pay and personnel services delivery by providing Sailors a tiered system designed to handle queries and transaction requests. The tiered service is supported by a self-service option through MyNavy Portal communication with one of our contact center agents by phone (833-330-MNCC/6622) or email (askMNCC@navy.mil) and a cadre of subject matter experts to respond to more complex or specialized areas of concern.

Meet Our

New Fleet!

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Scholarship Opportunity for Alaskan Residents The Navy League and Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) are soliciting applications for four scholarships of up to $1,000 for undergraduate education to dependent children and spouses of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel who legally claim Alaska as their state of residence.

Applicants must be the dependent (child or spouse) of a legal resident of the state of Alaska who is, or was at the time of death/designation as missing-in-action, a Regular or Reserve U.S. Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard member on active duty, inactive duty or retired with or without pay. Scholarships are for academic year 2019-2020 and the application deadline is March 1, 2019.

The scholarships are made possible by funds raised by Alaskan citizens for a war bond as a gift to USS Juneau (CL 52) during World War II. After the sinking of Juneau, the governor of the territory of Alaska and the Secretary of the Navy agreed to keep the bond monies on deposit until an appropriate application could be found. In 1986, the Navy established the Alaska Sea Services fund.

—Connecting with the Fleet—

“How do I know what to study for my advancement exam?”

MPT&E Fleet Questions

Stay Connected! Follow @USNPEOPLE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube www.navy.mil/CNP Weekly Wire Rundown Have questions? Email: usnpeople.fct@navy.mil

Nominate Outstanding Leaders Commands have the opportunity to recognize exceptional leadership of their Sailors by nominating them for the 2019 Captain Joy Bright Hancock and Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership Awards,

The annual awards recognize the inspirational leadership of selected Sailors whose ideals and dedication foster an inclusive culture by reinforcing the integral role of women in the Navy.

There are five award categories: senior officer (O-4 to O-6), junior officer (O-1 to O-3), chief warrant officer and limited duty officer (CWO2 – O-3E), senior enlisted (E-7 to E-9) and junior enlisted (E-5 to E-6). Nominations are not gender-restrictive and are open to both active-duty and reserve Sailors.

Nominees should be mature leaders who have shown exceptional leadership over the span of their career and have persevered to overcome challenges while serving. They should have demonstrated inspirational and innovative leadership, both on and off-duty, as well as professional accomplishments and community involvement.

Candidates must be nominated by their commanding officer (CO) or officer-in-charge (OIC) and must receive an endorsement from the nominating command’s immediate superior in command (ISIC). An ISIC can only endorse and forward one nomination for each category.

You can find an award nomination template at https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/inclusion/awards/Pages/HancockAwards.aspx.

For more information, read NAVADMIN 276/18 at www.npc.navy.mil.

The Navy-Wide Advancement Exams are approaching, and if you haven’t already, it’s time to break out your study materials! Rumors abound around the work center about exams, but how do you know what’s scuttlebutt and what’s righteous gouge? Read on to find learn the facts about several common exam myths.

Myth#1: Civilians write advancement exams. Questions for the Advancement Exams are written by Navy chiefs selected through the Advancement Exam Readiness Review (AERR) process. For every rating, a group of chiefs (E7- E9) selected by their Type Commanders, come together for one-to-two weeks at the Navy Advancement Center (NAC) to formulate and review a bank of exam questions. These chiefs serve as Fleet Subject Matter Experts and are selected based on their mastery and skill in specified ratings.

Myth#2: “I scored an 80 on the exam, which means I aced it!” The Advancement Exam is scored using a system referred to as “norm-referenced scoring.” This means that your exam score is a numerical representation of how well you did in comparison to your peers who also took the same exam. Depending on how many questions you answered correctly, your score will be placed on a scale from 20 to 80, with 20 being the lowest score and 80 being the highest. This number will then be recorded onto your Profile Sheet, which you can access through the Navy Enlisted Advancement System (NEAS) after the exam results are released.

Myth# 3: Other than the score, how you did on the exam is secret. The key to deciphering your overall performance is your profile sheet, which is broken down into sections from the exam. Look at your previous exam profile sheet, determine your weak areas, and then compare that with what is listed for the upcoming exam bib. This allows you to understand what you need to work on and formulate an effective study plan.

For first-time test-takers, the bibs are also key. Bibs are on the NAC pages on My Navy Portal and through the Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online (Navy COOL) website. Bibs are updated as Fleet instructions and manuals change. Check a few times prior to the exam date to make sure you have the most recent bibs. When the exams are created, each test question is tied to a specific reference, and the bibliography is a compilation listing of all references used to create that specific exam. Sailors should only use the official Navy bib sources for studying their references.

To download the bibs and exam-specific topic list for the upcoming cycle, go to the Navy Advancement Center’s MyNavy Portal bibliography page at https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/navy-advancement-center/bibliographies or Navy COOL website at http://www.cool.navy.mil/usn, under the Find & Select Related Credentials, Enlisted tab.

Individual Sailor profile sheets are available via NEAS - https://prod-neas.ncdc.navy.mil/NEASRpts/Individual.aspx. For more information on the Navy Advancement Exam or the NEAS, visit NAC at https://www.facebook.com/Navy-Advancement-Center-213190711299/.

The Perfect Gift - Designated Driver Sailors can give the perfect on-size fits-all-present to keep friends and loved ones safe by pledging to be a designated driver. It only takes a minute to complete the pledge online at https://go.usa.gov/xnj86 to make the quick and anonymous pledge to serve as a designated driver (DD).

After taking the pledge, participants are encouraged to visit the Keep What You Earn (KWYE) webpage at https://go.usa.gov/xPWPH and print a gift card that can be given to a shipmate, friend, or family member to be used in exchange for a safe ride home. The pledge runs through Dec. 31.

According to the Nation-al Highway Traffic Safety Commission, the holiday season sees a significant increase in traffic fatali-ties that involve im-paired drivers.

“The consequences of impaired driving can be devastating,” said Dorice Favorite, Navy Alcohol Abuse Prevention direc-tor. A driving under the influence (DUI) convic-tion can wreck not just a vehicle, but also a career and a bank account.

In the first six months after a DUI, fees like bail, fines, court costs, DUI class and attorney’s fees can total nearly $10,000

or more. Long-term, increased insurance rates and lost income due to reduction in rank can have a significant impact on financial stability.

“It’s not worth the risk,” she added. “If you or your friends choose to drink, make sure you have a DD and a plan.”

For more information or links to other resources, including tips on how to have a stress-free DD experience, check out the KWYE website. Download Pier Pressure, the campaign’s free mobile application, for tools to help you plan ahead, find a safe ride home and keep what you’ve earned. Available on iTunes and Google Play app stores.

If you think you may be struggling with alcohol use, or if drinking interferes with your work and/or relationships, visit the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program located at your base’s clinic or military treatment facility. For more information, contact your base Alcohol and Drug Control Officer.