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—Connecting with the Fleet—

Official Newsletter of the Chief of Naval Personnel

Ready, Relevant Learning: OS Rating Receives Navy’s First Modernized Training Course

The Operations Specialist (OS) rating is the first to be taught using modernized delivery under the Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL) framework at the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Great Lakes.

RRL is a pillar of Sailor 2025, the Navy’s program to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward and retain the force of tomorrow.

“The implementation of Ready, Relevant Learning at OS ‘A’ School enables our instructors to deliver realistic, relevant and interactive course content to accession-level Sailors,” said Dean McCarty, CSCSU Great Lakes director of training. “Students are now able to participate in virtual simulations where they are placed in the same scenarios in which they will see on their ships. I have no doubt in my mind that shipboard leadership will see instantaneous results because of RRL and our Navy will be a more capable and lethal force.”

The former OS “A” School was primarily run by instructors leading students through computer-based training modules and PowerPoint slide shows. Modernized OS training is

now enhanced with interactive self-directed courseware, game-based virtual simulation software, demonstration videos and step-by step guides that target performance skills as opposed to strictly knowledge memorization. These training methods provide students more hands-on learning, so they can apply the fundamentals they learn as a foundation in the day-to-day application of topics like rules of the road, lookout duties and Voyage Management System operations.

“The modernized OS ‘A’ School way of teaching is more engaging than clicking through a PowerPoint,” said Operations Specialist Seaman David Dabrowski, a course student. “Reading and listening to the instruction gave me a foundation of knowledge that helped when it came to the hands-on activities and allowed me to grasp the concepts faster.”

This initial pilot course, delivered to students in an actual training environment, was a final assessment required before full-scale implementation of the new course format and training curriculum targeted to fully transition in September 2019. For more on RRL, visit the U.S. Fleet Forces RRL website at https://www.public.navy.mil/usff/rrl/Pages/default.aspx.

SAILOR to SAILOR Official Newsletter of the Chief of Naval Personnel To Subscribe Email: usnpeople.fct@navy.mil 10 June Issue #16

Coming in July

July 4 - Independence Day

July 15-21 - Duluth, Minnesota Navy Week

July 22-28 - Grand Junction, Colorado Navy Week

COMING SOON Be on the Lookout for these Personnel Announcements

Enlisted Leader Development

Selective Reenlistment Bonus Update

Meritorious Advancement Program Season 2

Time is running out for senior Sailors to transfer their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits!

Effective July 12, 2019, Sailors with over 16 years of service will no longer be eligible to transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits to their dependents.

Five keys to success: 1. All hands must complete Navy’s Statement of Understanding (SOU) at https://myeducation.netc.navy.mil/webta/home.html#nbb before going to DMDC milConnect ( https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect) to submit a transfer of education benefits (TEB) request. 2. Enlisted Sailors must submit their TEB request on DMDC milConnect no later than 30 days following a 4-year reenlistment. 3. If your transfer is disapproved, ensure you have completed the SOU and check to see if your End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS) has updated from a recent reenlistment or extension. If your EAOS is not updated, don’t worry. Just resubmit after it updates and NPC will consider the original TEB request submission date. Sailors won’t be penalized for a delay caused by their contract updating. 4. Enlisted Sailors with an approved High Year Tenure (HYT) waiver must incur Obligated Service out to the month of their HYT authorization. 5. Spread the word to a shipmate. Navy doesn’t have the authority to permit waivers for Sailors who fail to take action and get left behind. For complete information read NAVADMIN 170/18 and the expiration of the current exception to policy in NAVADMIN 020/19.

June is LBGT Pride Month

Transforming Our Personnel Systems and Processes—Automating MAP

The Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP) is transitioning from a current manual business process to an automated process within the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS). The new system will automate Navy-wide MAP quota management (including Exception to Policy requests) and provide commands with MAP candidate eligibility lists. Commands will then cre-ate nomination lists from which Reporting Seniors will select deserving Sailors for advancement – all in one online system. The Active Component will begin using the new automated MAP sys-tem to execute upcoming MAP Season 2 (1 Sep – 31 Oct 2019).

For more information visit https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/advancement-and-promotion/a-enlisted-advancement-resources-and-links banner, then select *Websites* in the blue banner.

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NAVADMINs

122/19 Announcement of Active Duty Enlisted Advancement-To-

Position Program for Recruiters and Recruit Division Commanders

123/19 Academic Year 2020 Nurse Corps Medical Enlisted

Commissioning Program Selection Board

124/19 Convening of the FY-20 Full Time Support Captain Selective

Retention Board

125/19 Notification of Drug Testing Program Revisions—Initiation of

Fentanyl and Norfentanyl Testing

—Connecting with the Fleet—

Apps Amazing!!

DoD Announces Military Spouse Employment Preference The Department of Defense (DoD) Priority Placement Program has improved the process for military spouses to use their hiring preference, making their job search easier.

Apply for positions directly through USAJobs:

https://www.usajobs.gov/

Find DoD positions alongside those from other federal agencies on USAJobs.

Apply for as many positions as you want

You can use military spouse preference for one offer of permanent federal employment (including Non-Appropriated Funds and AAFES) per duty location.

These improvements to the hiring process give military spouses more control over their job search and freedom to make the right decisions for their career and family.

The Navy’s Professional Military Knowledge Eligibility Exam (PMK-EE) app now allows Sailors to prepare for and complete the PMK-EE, which is required to

advance to the E4/5/6/7 paygrades as of Fall 2019.

Sailors can use their mobile devices to access the PMK-EE app to review topics, access bibliographies and complete the exam that corresponds to each paygrade.

Key features:

Available anytime, anywhere - no CAC required - at the Navy App Locker:

https://www.applocker.navy.mil/

Allows access to topics and bibliographical content from any compatible device

Presents randomly selected exam questions each time a Sailor takes a section

Permits retaking any section as often as necessary to achieve a passing score of 80%

Submits passing scores to Navy Training Management Planning System with entry of a Sailor’s DoD ID

Uses mobile device email to receive the completion certificate for personal records

PMK-EE will replace the PMK section on the Navy-Wide advancement exams starting with the September 2019 E4/5/6 exams and the January 2020 E7 exam.

101 Critical Days

of Summer

The Memorial Day weekend was

the unofficial start of summer and

the beginning of the “101 Critical

Days of Summer” that ends after

Labor Day. This is the largest vaca-

tion period of the year. The sun is shining and people are out swimming, boating,

visiting family and friends far away, playing and having a good time. It’s also a

time of celebration, recreation, staying awake long hours and driving more miles

than your body has the energy.

With all these fun summer activities, it is critical for Sailors to be aware of the vari-

ous dangers they can encounter in their off-time and for every command to pro-

vide information to all Sailors, especially new Sailors, on how to mitigate these

increased risks.

For the Naval Safety Center’s complete 101 Critical Days of Summer Brief visit

https://www.public.navy.mil/NAVSAFECEN/Presentations/

seasonal/2019_101_Critical_Days_of_Summer_Safety_Brief.pdf

For more information, please contact the Naval Safety Center Shore Safety

Group at (757) 444-7820, or via email at: NRFK_SAFE-All_HANDS@navy.mil.

PCS Simplified!

The Navy is working hard to make PCS moves easier. In November 2018, MyPCS Checklist was added to MyNavy Portal. Sailors can answer a few simple questions and will be presented with a tailored checklist and timeline for their move.

Another improvement, announced recently in NAVADMIN 103/19, is that we will soon release a new policy allowing spouses to have their employment licenses or certifications costs reimbursed, up to $500, when necessary because of a PCS move.

In August, the MyPCS mobile solution will be released and provide a modern and simplified means for Sailors to manage their PCS move. At launch, the mobile solution will offer mobile access to the MyPCS Checklist, mobile access to apply for childcare and housing at the Sailor’s next duty station and a single point of access for PCS information, resources and actions.

To reduce the up-front financial burden, Sailors are encouraged to request applicable advance travel entitlements that vary depending on whether the PCS is within the continental U.S. or outside the continental U.S. The options include dislocation allowance, monetary allowance in lieu of transportation for mileage reimbursement, per diem for military member and dependents and lodging and per diem expenses during training en route.

Sailors should contact their Command Pay and Personnel Administrator to facilitate these advance travel entitlement requests. The MyNavy Career Center is also an option available 24/7, and agents may be reached via email, askmncc@navy.mil or by phone at (833) 330-MNCC/6622.

June is PTSD Awareness Month

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result from experiencing or witnessing any number of traumatic or life-threatening events, from combat to motor vehicle accidents to sexual assault. Up to half of those seeking treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) also meet the criteria for either current or lifetime PTSD. Co-occurring PTSD and SUDs can create the need for a more difficult treatment plan, in addition to an increased risk of physical health problems, legal issues and suicide attempts.

Learn more about PTSD from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD at

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/. Learn more about mental health and substance use disorders

from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact

the Veterans Crisis Line via phone at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) or text at 838255.

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—Connecting with the Fleet—

MPT&E Fleet Questions

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

“With limited Tuition Assistance (TA) funding what other options do I have?”

Fact: Sailors are highly encouraged to pursue other learning opportunities to include:

College Level Examination Program exams

Earning workforce credentials through participation in the Department of Labor’s United Services Military Apprenticeship Program

Licensing and credentialing opportunities through the Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-Line program

Online Academic Skills Course/College Placement Skills Training

Scholarship opportunities; some are specific for active-duty Sailors

Additionally, Sailors are highly encouraged to apply for federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Many Sailors, especially E5 and below, can qualify for Pell Grants which do not have to be paid back. Sailors should also consider state financial aid and scholarships.

“Is it true that the 120 semester hour lifetime limit can only be used on one degree?” It is up to the Sailor on how to best use their 120 semester hour limit. While TA funding is still restricted to one degree at each level, credits can be used across multiple degrees.

Summer Alcohol Safety The lazy days of summer are perfect for relaxing with friends and family. For some Sailors, alcoholic drinks are part of the summer vibe. Across the Navy, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is also known as the 101 Critical Days of Summer because of the increased risk for safety mishaps during this time. If you choose to drink alcohol, the Keep What You’ve Earned Campaign has some tips to help you stay safe all summer long.

1. Stay hydrated. Heat-related illnesses pose a threat with rising temperatures, and alcohol can contribute to the risk. Alcohol is a diuretic, so alternate alcoholic drinks with water or other non-caffeinated beverages.

2. Swim smart. Alcohol impairs judgement and increases risk-taking – a bad combination for swimmers or surfers. Even experienced swimmers can overestimate their abilities after a few drinks.

3. Be cautious if boating. As a Sailor, you may be confident on the water, but alcohol and boating should never mix. According the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol may be involved in 60 percent of boating fatalities, including falling overboard.

Navy Alcohol Abuse Prevention encourages Sailors to be responsible if they choose to drink. The Pier Pressure mobile app has features including a safe ride tool, a calorie counter and Blood Alcohol Calculator to help. Download Pier Pressure for free on the Apple or Google App Stores.

ACE College Credit...What You Need to Know

The American Council on Education (ACE) connects workplace learning with colleges and universities. The ACE evaluation process provides a means for military personnel to gain academic credit for their formal training and a cost savings for Sailors pursuing higher education.

Three things you should know:

ACE credits are only recommended college credit equivalencies. It is strictly up to the college or university where you are applying to accept them or not, and how many credits they are willing to apply towards your specific program. Some schools may only apply ACE recommended credits towards electives; other schools may apply them towards a full half or two-thirds of all their degree requirements.

Smaller schools may sometimes be more accepting of ACE recommended credits than larger university systems. When shopping for a school, service members should include a mix of large and small schools in their review to get the best deal.

ACE credits are becoming geared more towards specific vice holistic subjects. For example, your language and regional expertise training prior to a tour in Afghanistan will now count towards Middle East Studies credits vice more generic Humanities credits.

For the BEST advice on how to apply your ACE recommended credits and your Joint Services Transcript to your college education, contact the Navy

College Virtual Education Center (NCVEC) at 877-838-1659 or https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/training-education-qualifications.

Future of CMS-ID Relies On Command Input

When enlisted detailers make assignment decisions, they consider

multiple factors, including Sailor preference, skillset of the applicant,

cost and command desire. Unfortunately, only 8.5% of commands

rank applicants during CMS-ID's command comment phase. As such, a

vast majority have no visibility in who will walk across the brow or

onto the flight line.

While ranking a Sailor as your number one choice is no guarantee that

you will get that Sailor – given that the factors described above are

considered – providing no input means commands have no voice in

the matter. As the Detailing Marketplace evolves, command input is

foundational for balancing the needs of the Navy, Sailors and individu-

al units throughout the detailing process. Help the detailers help your

command get the Sailor you want, and need, by taking action and

submitting your preferences.

Electronic Officer Photo Submission

Officers can now submit their official Navy photos to their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) online via MyNavy Portal (https://my.navy.mil). Go to “My Record” and then

look for the “Officer Photo” tile. Clicking on the tile will bring up an electronic Officer Photograph Form (NAVPERS 1070/884). Photos can be directly uploaded to the form and then submitted to the OMPF. A tutorial for this new application is available on the same tile. Officers are reminded to reference MILPERSMAN 1070-180 for photo requirements.

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