Sunday, August 22, 2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Peter Lewis, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- The Navy's senior enlisted Sailor visited Sailors stationed on Guam Aug. 19-20.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick D. West held an all-hands call were he answered questions Sailors had regarding new uniforms, manning and mandatory enlisted warfare qualifications.

The MCPON also took the opportunity to thank Sailors for their hard work and dedication to the nation.

"It's very enjoyable to be here with you," said Mabus. "You guys are doing great work. I appreciate absolutely what you all do."

West encouraged the Sailors to stay the course and to continue to excel in the Navy.

"Stay focused and keep moving forward," said Mabus. "We have a great Navy, we have great technology and great programs, but they're all just hunks of metal if they don't have the Sailor power to move it."

Many Guam Sailors said they appreciated the chance to meet MCPON.

"It's an honor to have him here," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF/SW) Daniel Lamb, of U.S. Naval Hospital Guam. "When you hear from the man himself, it makes life so much better."

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Morgan Gerena, of USS Frank Cable (AS 40), said she also found it an honor to meet West.

"When our senior leaders come all the way to Guam, it lets us know we matter," said Gerena. "It shows that the chain of command really cares about Sailors and we're doing a great job."

While on Guam, West visited Sailors assigned at various commands, including Joint Region Marianas, Naval Hospital Guam, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 5, Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 Detachment Guam. He also toured Frank Cable, USS Buffalo (SSN 715) and USS Houston (SSN 713).

Continuation Board Keeps Best Sailors in the Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) LaTunya Howard, Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The Navy announced the fiscal year 2011 (FY-11) performance-based board for continuation, which will convene Sept. 20 to review senior enlisted (Active/Reserve) personnel with more than 19 years of service.

The focus is performance within the last five years or since advancement to current grade (E-7 through E-9), whichever is later. According to NAVADMIN 276/10, an amplified update to NAVADMIN 180/10, documented misconduct, sub-standard or marginal performance will be the primary reason board-eligible Sailors will not be continued in the Navy past the 20-year mark. Among the specific performance indicators the board will consider are:

* Documented misconduct involving either Uniform Code of Military Justice (non-judicial punishment) or civilian offenses.

* Moral or professional dereliction such as relief for cause or detachment for cause.

* Continuity gaps in evaluation/fitness report of greater than 90 days.

* The Sailor's evaluation/fitness report during the period reviewed includes marks showing sub-standard or marginal performance of duty.

The board will consider these factors and others within the entire record and use its judgment to select Sailors for continuation whose service is in the best interest of the Navy. NAVADMIN 276/10 contains the complete list of board consideration factors. "This is a performance-based board, and I have extreme confidence that the senior enlisted leadership who sit the board are focused on fairness and proper adherence to standards," said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West. "This is a move in the right direction, so we are retaining the best people possible for our Navy."

Commands may re-verify their FY-11 enlisted continuation board eligibility listings weekly until Sept. 1.

For Sailors being reviewed, the board correspondence submission deadline has been extended to Sept. 1. Board-eligible Sailors must submit any correspondence to the board with a postmark by this date.

West said this is the second year of the Senior Enlisted Continuation Board, but the first year Reserve chiefs will be looked at.

"The continuation board has expanded from last year," West said. "More people are being looked at across the Navy's Total Force including reserves and some communities that were exempt last year."