Armed Forces News

Navy officials have taken a new step to prevent sailors from becoming victims of identity theft, by omitting certain information from fitness reports and evaluations. A recent Navy Administrative Message (NAVADMIN 071/04) states that in order to minimize the potential for identity theft, reporting seniors may now prepare the member’s copy of a fitness report or evaluation with “000-00-0000” in block 27. Prior to this, block 27 contained the reporting senior’s Social Security number. The original fitness report or evaluation which is mailed to Naval Personnel Command must still contain the reporting senior’s Social Security number in order to track the senior’s cumulative average. However, the command copies of fitness reports and evaluations and field service record copies can be filed with all zeroes.