The Navy is unifying its High Year Tenure policy for active and reserve members, and tightening the standards under it by which sailors can continue to serve. Under new High Year Tenure guidelines, seaman apprentice (E-2) sailors now will reach high year tenure at four years – down from six. And those in the seaman pay grade (E-3) will reach high year tenure at five years, rather than six. Also, E-3 sailors will no longer be allowed to continue to serve up to eight years in grade by taking the Navy Wide Advancement Exam. The Navy is providing details of the changes in NAVADMIN 030/12, available online at www.npc.navy.mil. The change will not affect sailors who have served 18 years and thus have reached sanctuary, or those who serve in the nuclear community. The High Year Tenure policy will not change for sailors in grades ranging from petty officer third class to master chief petty officer.
