CNP Responds to Sailors' Questions in Worldwide All Hands Call

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elliott Fabrizio

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) talked with Sailors around the world in an All Hands Call, broadcast from the Defense Media Activity at Ft. Meade, Md., March 5.

Vice Adm. Bill Moran, CNP, and Fleet Master Chief for Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPT&E) April Beldo, updated Sailors on Navy subjects including pay, the Career Intermission Pilot Program (CIPP), advancement and Tuition Assistance (TA).

CLICK HERE to watch the full video of the All Hands Call.

"Fleet and I are always interested in hearing what Sailors are hearing in the Fleet and what questions they have," said Moran. "This gives us the opportunity to give them the right information and beat back any bad information that is circulating."

Sailors asked live questions via satellite, telephone and social media.

The Secretary of the Navy approved raises to Career Sea Pay allowance and a Sailor from San Diego asked via satellite when the increases would show up in Sailors' paychecks.

"We think within the next 60 days we're going to start improving the pay of anybody on Career Sea Pay today," said Moran.

Via telephone, a Sailor from USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) asked if the Navy had plans to fully adopt the Career Intermission Pilot Program.

"The answer is absolutely," said Moran. "The results we've gotten from this program have been very positive. People have been able to go out and get a college degree, start a family, or start another job and have come back into the Navy and picked up right where they left off."

He added that the Navy is seeking congressional permission next year to remove the 'pilot' moniker and institutionalize it across the Navy.

Sailors aware of plans to change the advancement process had several questions about the details, such as removing the point value of Good Conduct Medals and the timeline.

"The things that we are focusing on is evaluations, performance and the advancement score," said Beldo. "Right now we are not changing the points you are given for awards."

Moran added, "There's a lot being talked about and discussed with advancement exams and I think it's important for Sailors to know that while we're talking about it, nothing is being implemented in this March cycle. It's more likely to be a year from now that you'll see these changes take place, and we will communicate that to all of you."

From in-studio, a Sailor had a question about the TA program.

"The Navy has been 100 percent on TA for the longest time, and even when the other branches of service dropped TA, the Navy kept it at 100 percent; but, I've heard talk of them possibly going down to 75 percent-Have you heard anything about that?" asked Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Xander Gamble.

TA is funded at 100 percent through fiscal year 2014, but Beldo confirmed that Navy TA may see a 25 percent contribution from Sailors in the next fiscal year.

"We believe if there is an investment in there from the Sailor, they will be more committed," said Beldo. "I think it will still be a good deal for Sailors."

CNP also busted several rumors that Sailors had heard in the fleet.

He said there are no plans to increase the length of boot camp, the Navy is not eliminating the Command Advancement Program (CAP) and there are no current plans to add advancement points for warfare pins or fitness exams.

More questions Sailors submitted that were not answered during the All Hands Call will be addressed next week in All Hands Magazine.