Advancement

[HM02022]

Im in the reserves but I'm currently active forFMSS and will be fresh out in early March. Which advancement exam do I need to take? The advancement website says that the reserve exam is in Feb(which is in the middle of training) but the active exam is in March. Do I have to take the reserve exam because I'm NPSB or can I take the active exam because I will more than likely be "active" at the time.

Thanks for the help,

HN BB

[Da-Chief]

Shipmate,

Here in lies a problem as you won't have "MARKS" for the adavancement exam. Schools usually don't give them. If your a E-3, when did you finish Corps School? If it was recently you won' take the exam until Aug this year.

Let me know..

V/R
HMC

[oldavt]

Chief, How are meritorious advancements handled in Corps school nowdays? When I was in oh so long ago, advancements up through E3 were permitted for the top several students in every class. With the self pacing in the current HCS, do you still authorize advancements or is everyone stuck in the time in grade escalator?

[Da-Chief]

The only meritorious advancement comes out of bootcamp now I am afraid..

We don't do it here..

Da-Chief

[oldavt]

Wow ! I'm having a hard time imagining not seeing E3 until I had a year and a half in. That keeps you on the bottom of the pile for a long time. Especially if you did well enough in boot camp to at least get E2, and the powers that be decided not to advance the top 10%. Bummer.

[HM02022]

Chief,

I just got out of corps school. So I guess I wont be taking it till Aug. Thank you for clearing that up for me. Another question though. I graduated with honors(90+ avg.) and I received an LOA for being a "red badge." Do these help my in any way shape or form with anything, or are they just formalities of school?

[Da-Chief]

Just formalities I'm afriad, but it does let your unit know they recieved a shit hot doc!

;-)
V/R
HMC

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

HM02022 wrote: I just got out of corps school. So I guess I wont be taking it till Aug. Thank you for clearing that up for me. Another question though. I graduated with honors(90+ avg.) and I received an LOA for being a "red badge." Do these help my in any way shape or form with anything, or are they just formalities of school?

Congratulations on both your achievement and your proactive stance on taking charge of your career. As a SelRes you would take the SelRes exam even if you are on active duty. Chances are, you will likely be SOL and required to wait until August, however, unless your current training command has officially said "no" you are still at the plate and have not struck out yet.

If you do not ask, the answer is no.
If you ask improperly, the answer is no.
If you ask properly, the answer will likely be no; but it could be yes
How bad do you want it?

You will need to familiarize yourself with key sections of the following Reg's.
() BUPERSINST 1430.16E (Adv Manual (http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/INSTRUCTIONS/143016/1430.16.htm))
() BUPERSINST 1610.10A (Eval Manual (http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/Instructions/161010/161010.htm))
() Any relevant NAVADMIN (http://www.npc.navy.mil/ReferenceLibrary/Messages/)'s concerning Adv or Evals (http://www.npc.navy.mil/CareerInfo/PerformanceEvaluation/References.htm)

http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/Instructions/InstructMenu.htm
http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/INSTRUCTIONS/143016/1430.16.htm
http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/Instructions/161010/161010.htm
http://www.npc.navy.mil/CareerInfo/PerformanceEvaluation/References.htm

Do some homework so you have a basic idea of the system and requirements. Then speak with your training command and respectfully request an Eval IAW Section 8-2.a. of BUPERSINST 1610.10A so you may participate in the Advancement Exam. (Have a copy of page 8-1 in your hand when you ask & point out the word "shall".) As a SelRes, you might also want to contact your NOSC to inform them of your situation and ask for guidance. If you elect to contact your NOSC, I would do that first. The NOSC might be able to hook you up independently or help you to get a "yes" from your training command. You are not the first to be in this situation and there is likely a solution out there just waiting for you to find it.

The easiest answer to give is "no", so you need to make it easier for them to say "yes". Being a top performer in the class and doing all the legwork here is one way to makea "yes" easier. You be the judge of the situation, but if a "no" is encountered you might respectfully and professionally: (1) ensure they are aware of Section 8-2.a. (2) ask why (3) ask where you can look up the information to confirm it. Its up to you to determine the tact, wording, and demeanor you think will work for you to get your "yes" -- but don't screw yourself relentlessly chasing a fantasy or falling behind in your studies.

Once you get your Eval with advancement recommendation, you will need to ensure a SelRes HM3 exam will be available and coordinate a test date. If your training command is at a loss, contact your NOSC and the base's reserve liaison for guidance. It is possible to share a HM3 exam at the nearest NOSC with another SelRes. But you may need to make everything happen.

Or just sit on your ass and wait for August. (How bad do you want it?)

= = = =
8-2. Enlisted Initial Entry Training (IET). Enlisted initial entry training is defined as recruit training; veteran, Navy Veteran/Other Service Veteran (NAVET/OSVET) indoctrination; and schools following in direct sequence prior to reporting to first permanent duty station. Do not submit EVALs during or on completion of initial entry training, except as follows:

a. Report Required for Special Purpose. Reporting seniors shall submit a Special report when needed for a purpose such as an advancement recommendation, superior or substandard performance, a recommendation for a special program, reduction in rate, etc. The type of report will be Regular, but the requirement for Regular report continuity will not apply.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

HM02022 wrote: Another question though. I graduated with honors(90+ avg.) and I received an LOA for being a "red badge." Do these help my in any way shape or form with anything, or are they just formalities of school?

I forgot to add that you should ensure all of this (class standing, GPA, LOA, etc) makes it into Block 44 of your Eval. Have a "brag sheet" ready to assist your training command in writing your Eval.

Real quickly though, here are at least five ways your Corps School achievements help you:
(1) They should raise your Eval ratings, which in turn boosts your exam FMS and increases your chance of promotion.
(2) They make a good first impression at future commands.
(3) They might help you get selected for a better assignment. (I know I look for it)
(4) They start documentation ofyour "sustained superior performance" which becomes extremely important as you gain rank.
(5) They give you personal pride, confidence, & bragging rights -- not to mention that it probably made your parents pretty proud of you too...

[Da-Chief]

I totally agree with HMC.. What I was trying to get across an might have been lost in the translation.. While it does not help you for advancement immediately, It does help you in the long run.

You report in to your new Duty Station fresh out of school, the first thing HMC (your new SEA) will look at is your GPA first, Then if your lucky enough to have awards..

Say 2 of you are standing there reporting in.. One has a GPA of 78%, the other 85% plus got a letter of COM from the CO at Corps School for serving as the Color Guard?

This tells HMC that 1, you took school seriously (Really both did as you both passed but the better test score will reflect more) but the letter of Com for Color Guard tells him you pay attention to detail, as we know what it means to be a color guard..

Hope this helps..

Da-Chief..

[DocHayes]

Okay I didn't get past the second post, but the advancement exam for E4 was offered at FMSS East this year, for eligible e3's...

It sucked because they all got to miss the PT workout we recieved during our "Wake Up" on our first official day of training... :X

**Trashcan against bulkhead at 0400**"Good Morning Field Med! I have exactly 7 weeks to unf*** what the Navy has done to your lives and your careers..." Good times

[DocHayes]

I do have a question... I took the advancement exam for E5 this past cycle while still the reserves. In the highly unlikely event I passed and was promoted, would that carry over when I go active duty? What about the PNA points and stuff like that?

[Da-Chief]

Doc Hayes,

You can petition, but most likely not. You were brought in for a certain paygrade gap, Your billet would go unfilled if you were to be promoted up. The other side is the paygrade that you promote up to if it were full would lower advancement numbers for that group who would be elegible for that cycle.

Hope this helps..


Da-Chief.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

DocHayes wrote: I took the advancement exam for E5 this past cycle while still the reserves. In the highly unlikely event I passed and was promoted, would that carry over when I go active duty?
Highly unlikely?? It sounds like you need to improve performance and study more so your eval's and exam scores are high enough to boost your personal confidence a bit.... But to answer your question:
(1) If you are mobilized and "go active duty" as a Reservist, then "Yes" everything carries over.

(2) If you "go active duty" as a Full Time Support (FTS) member there is a good chance everything will carry over, but it is not guaranteed in stone. Timing can be very critical. (ie. taking the billet & going FTS before the exam results are posted)

(3) If you transfer out of the Reserves and "go active duty" as a member of the Active Component (AC), then most likely "No" it will not carry over. There is a snowballs chance in hell, but realistically,it is not going to happen. In fact, Reservists dropping a paygrade (loosing a stripe) in order totransfer to the AC is not that unusual.

People's first tendency is to assume the worse when they discover paperwork reflecting a "demotion". Appropriate Service Record documentationand proper wording of Evals is very important to ensure this sort of "demotion" or "pass over" is placed in its proper context and not viewed negatively. The paperwork needs to make it extremely clear and obvious on first glance that the demotion/pass was not the result of any sort of disciplinary action; but was actually a voluntary measure reflecting a great deal of personal commitment and sacrifice in order to become a member of the AC. Since many leaders admire this level of dedication and service, here is where the benefits "carry over" to active duty. A SelRes HM2 who gives up HM1 or becomes an HM3 to go AC, will likely be promotedwithin an exam cycle or two. It's all in how they handle themselves and manage their career.