Navy Sets Course for Path to Chief Petty Officer

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The Navy announced guidance for the administration of the Cycle 218 Chief Petty Officer Advancement Examination and the Fiscal Year 2014 Active Chief Petty Officers (CPO) Selection Board via Navy message Sept. 26.

NAVADMIN 294/12 pertains to first class petty officers from the Full Time Support (FTS) and active component communities. Navy Selected Reserve (SELRES) exam dates and selection board information will be announced in a separate message.

The Navy will administer exams to active component and FTS Sailors Jan. 17, 2013.

Exam ordering timelines, eligibility criteria, deadlines for commands to confirm eligibility lists, waiver application procedures and special requirements are contained in the NAVADMIN. The message also outlines procedures and deadlines for submitting correspondence to the selection board.

Sailors should review their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) for accuracy at www.bol.navy.mil.

According to the message, the selection board will review the OMPF and performance summary record (PSR) parts I, II and III of all candidates as well as any items submitted by candidates. Each eligible candidate is responsible for ensuring their OMPF is correct and up-to-date with the latest evaluations, awards and other appropriate information.

Candidates may submit a letter to the board to provide any new information or missing information that is not currently in their OMPF.

Letters to the selection board for FTS CPO eligible candidates must be received by the Navy Personnel Command (NPC) customer service center by April 22, 2013. The FTS Selection Board is scheduled to convene May 13, 2013.

Letters to the selection board for active component CPO Selection Board eligible candidates must be received at NPC customer service center by May 28, 2013. The active component selection board is scheduled to convene June 17, 2013 and is the largest selection board held at NPC.

Letters to the board may be mailed or submitted electronically. Submission procedures and mailing addresses are outlined in the NAVADMIN. Communication to the board must originate from individual candidates; correspondence from the command or from any source other than the candidate to the president of the board will not be accepted or considered.

Additional information regarding this cycle will be posted at the NPC website under "Boards" at www.npc.navy.mil For more information read NAVADMIN 294/12 and visit the NPC website.

 For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.

Rating Change May Strengthen Career

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrea Perez, Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Rating conversion allows career-minded Sailors in overmanned ratings to stay Navy and helps shape the force to meet future manning requirements, officials said, April 16.

"If a Sailor is in a rating where promotion is stifled at the present time, converting to a different rating can open up significant advancement opportunities," said Master Chief Navy Counselor David Duncan, enlisted community manager, Bureau of Naval Personnel and rating conversion veteran. Duncan first enlisted as a Radioman before converting to his current rate.

Today, Sailors can apply for rating conversion during their Perform to Serve (PTS) negotiation window. When Sailors with less than 14 years of service are within 12 months of their end of active obligated service (as extended) date, they must compete for a PTS quota to continue their career.

The Fleet Rating Identification Engine-PTS (FR-PTS) provides Sailors with billet availability information in their current rating and other ratings one might qualify for, based on their year group (YG) and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery score.

According to Duncan, when an individual enters the Navy, they may not be assigned the rating they initially wanted and conversion gives them an opportunity to try something different. It also gives Sailors the chance to discover new skill sets and talents.

One Sailor shared his rating conversion experience.

"I put in a package to convert to Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT), Cryptologic Technician Collection and Cryptologic Technician Networks, and I was accepted for CTT," said Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS) 1st Class Odel Schroeder. "I think converting is going to benefit me because in the CT (Cryptologic Technician) rating I have a better chance of getting promoted and after the Navy I can get a higher paying job than if I get out as an AS."

To date, thousands of Sailors have converted to different ratings, allowing the Navy to keep Sailors who are committed to a career in the Navy.

"For the past few months, I've felt like I needed to do something different and I'm looking forward to learning my new rate," said Schroeder. "I don't know anything about it, so I'm trying to go TAD (temporary assigned duty), that way I'll have an idea of what to expect before I actually go to school."

Sailors considering conversion can ask their career counselor to review the YG manning for the rating which they would like to convert to.

"They have to do their homework. Understanding what your year group manning is in your current rating and knowing what the year group manning is for the rating that you're looking to convert into is a good start," said Duncan. "You really have to look and if there's something that leaves you scratching your head, talk with your career counselor."

Per MILPERSMAN 1440-010, requests for conversion to ratings that are properly manned, will only be considered on a case-by-case basis and requests for conversion to overmanned ratings will not be considered.

On PTS applications where "willing to convert" is selected, a member will be considered for in-rate reenlistment prior to being reviewed for conversion. On applications where "conversion only" is selected, the member will be reviewed only for conversion.

A Sailor's command career counselor can assist them in understanding the benefits of reviewing their YG information and provide Sailors with guidance throughout the FR-PTS process.

"Many years back, we didn't always see a conversion as a positive thing," said Duncan. "Now days we have got to look at conversion and know that it's the way things have to be for us to stay up to speed and keep the same good people in uniform."

Adjutant general receives second star in official ceremony

The Adjutant General is an Iraq War veteran.  Discover these Second Gulf War books written by other Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn veterans.

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

Gov. Scott Walker formally promoted the adjutant general of Wisconsin to the rank of major general during an Oct. 3 ceremony at the State Capitol in Madison. Walker officially promoted Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar in August. However, it is a tradition for the governor to promote Wisconsin National Guard general officers with a formal ceremony at the capitol.

"I am honored to continue this tradition here today," Walker said, "and to officially bestow the rank of major general to an outstanding senior officer of the Wisconsin National Guard."

Several people took part in Dunbar's pinning ceremony. Walker and Dunbar's wife, Colleen, pinned the major general rank on Dunbar's jacket, while Dunbar's father Phil and mother-in-law Ida Donegan put the new two-star shoulder boards on his epaulets. His sister Margie Wildason pinned the rank on his hat.

Dunbar thanked family and friends for attending and for participating, noting that it made the event more meaningful. He also mentioned two special people who could not attend - his mother, Peggy, and his father-in-law, Buzz Donegan (USMC) - both of whom passed away in 2009.

He concluded his brief remarks by praising the Wisconsin National Guard and the work they do for our state and nation. "It is a privilege to be the adjutant general and serve the men and women of the Wisconsin National Guard," he explained. "I pledge that I will do my very best not to let them down."

Since becoming the state's 30th adjutant general on Sept. 1, 2007, Dunbar has deployed more than 6,000 Soldiers and Airmen in support of the global war on terror including the historic deployment of the entire 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Iraq in 2009. In addition to commanding the Wisconsin National Guard, the adjutant general oversees the state's homeland security advisor.

Since 2007, Dunbar has led Wisconsin through five separate Stafford Act emergencies. He also serves as vice chair of the FEMA National Advisory Council and was a member of the Local, State, Tribal and Federal Preparedness Task Force which presented a preparedness report to Congress in 2010.

Dunbar began his military career in 1983 and completed pilot training in 1985. He has served as KC-135 functional manager at the National Guard Bureau, staff member for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, executive officer to the director of the Air National Guard, and commander of the 141st Operations Group.

In 2005 he became commander of the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. There he commanded more than 900 Airmen and was responsible for maintaining worldwide unit readiness.

Dunbar has volunteered for and deployed on contingency missions including Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Northern Watch. A native of Drexel Hill, Penn., Dunbar and his wife Colleen reside in New Berlin.

Wisconsin adjutant general promoted to two-star

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

Gov. Scott Walker has promoted Brig. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, to the rank of major general.

"Maj. Gen. Dunbar truly deserves this promotion," Walker said. "His outstanding leadership, his invaluable insight and professional guidance have served Wisconsin well for several years."

Since becoming the state's 30th adjutant general on Sept. 1, 2007, Dunbar has deployed more than 6,000 Soldiers and Airmen in support of the global war on terror including the historic deployment of the entire 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Iraq in 2009. In addition to commanding the Wisconsin National Guard, the adjutant general oversees the state's Emergency Management division, chairs the Governor's Homeland Security Council and is the governor's Homeland Security Advisor.

Since 2007, Dunbar has led the Wisconsin through five separate Stafford Act emergencies. He also serves as vice chair of the FEMA National Advisory Council and was a member of the Local, State, Tribal and Federal Preparedness Task Force which presented a preparedness report to Congress in 2010.

Dunbar began his military career in 1983 and completed pilot training in 1985. He has served as KC-135 functional manager at the National Guard Bureau, staff member for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, executive officer to the director of the Air National Guard, and commander of the 141st Operations Group.

In 2005 he became commander of the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. There he commanded more than 900 Airmen and was responsible for maintaining worldwide unit readiness.

Dunbar has volunteered for and deployed on contingency missions including Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Northern Watch. A native of Drexel Hill, Penn., Dunbar and his wife Colleen reside in New Berlin.

A formal pinning ceremony will be held at a later date.

Gates Departs on Nine-Day World Trip

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Feb. 20, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates left today on a nine-day trip around the world aimed at reinforcing relationships with some countries he has yet to visit as defense secretary. Gates will visit U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii, participate in annual bilateral talks with Australia, and discuss security matters with his counterparts in Indonesia, India and Turkey.

The Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations are the principal forum for bilateral talks between the two allies. It brings the U.S. secretaries of state and defense together with their Australian counterparts, along with other senior officials from both countries.

The trip also coincides with the day the Navy plans to try to shoot down a dead U.S. intelligence satellite. The window for the shoot-down opened this morning after the landing of the space shuttle Atlantis.

Defense officials said yesterday that they are evaluating the situation and will advise the secretary when they have a shot to take. President Bush has empowered Gates to order the shoot-down, and based upon the advice he gets, he is prepared to do so during this trip, officials said yesterday.

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