Sailors from Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and various commands aboard NSAB take the Navy-wide E-4 advancement exam March 16 in the NSAB Fitness Center. (Navy photo by MCS 3rd Class William Phillips) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffAdvancements for lower enlisted sailors (E-1 through E-4) will be based on time in service, beginning next July 1.
“This change will better regulate advancement through E-4 in order to provide a solid foundation for billet-based advancements into journeyman ranks (E-5 and E-6),” the Navy stated in an administrative announcement that outlined the planned change. “It also provides a more predictable and transparent advancement path to E-4 for all sailors and ensures that every sailor can be in a position to make a re-enlistment decision as an E-4 prior to the end of their initial obligated service.”
Under the new construct, sailors in pay grade E-1 would be eligible to advance to E-2 after nine months. Advancement to E-3 from E-2 would happen at the 18-month point, and advancement to E-4 from E-3 would occur at the 30-month time-in-service anniversary.
Eligibility would hinge upon two requirements: meeting the time-in-service milestone, and maintaining a commanding officer’s retention and promotion recommendation.
The change does not apply to sailors in nuclear, advanced technical and electronic fields who are already obligated to additional service in order to advance to E-4.
“These sailors will continue to receive an accelerated advancement for service in those needed skill sets,” the announcement stated. “Additionally, sailors in the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) program will continue to earn rating designations and advancement to E-4 in line with PACT program requirements,” under a timeline similar to the new time-in-service plan.
Sailors who are reduced in rate below E-4 must have an advancement recommendation from their commanding officer, and will have to serve six months at their reduced paygrade and any other paygrades, or meet time-in-service thresholds – whichever is later.
Even though the change will not take full effect until next July, the advancement cycles coming up this fall will be adjusted accordingly to ensure a smooth transition.
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