Advancement Exam Eligibility Requirements Updated

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- A recent policy change allows Sailors with a PTS "Intends to Separate" status to participate in the upcoming March 2013 examination.

Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 023/13, released Feb. 8, provides updated guidance for the Cycle 219/March 2013 Navy-wide enlisted examinations for Active Duty, Active Reserve, Full Time Support and Canvasser Recruiter advancement.

For the September 2012 advancement cycle 216, Active Duty Sailors who had an "Intends to Separate" Perform to Serve (PTS) status were ineligible for the Navy-wide advancement examination. NAVADMIN 023/13 explains that changes in retention behavior, and the Navy's shifting posture from downsizing to stabilizing, have enabled candidates in a PTS "Intends to Separate" status to be eligible for advancement.

Sailors who have received final PTS denial (Denied Final - Active) on their December PTS application remain ineligible to participate in the March examination.

Another important change announced in NAVADMIN 023/13 concerns security clearance requirements for advancement. A favorable investigation adjudication issued by the Department of the Navy Central Adjudication Facility (DONCAF) remains as a requirement. However, the updated policy now allows a Sailor to take the advancement exam with an interim clearance issued by the unit commanding officer while awaiting formal adjudication from DONCAF. That interim clearance must be granted prior to the first day of the month of the regularly scheduled examination date.

"The intent of this change is to minimize adverse impact to advancement opportunity for those Sailors who have properly applied for a security clearance and are awaiting a final determination," said Enlisted Plans and Policy Branch Head Cmdr. Renee Squier. "However, every effort should be taken by the command and the individual to receive final determinations on all Sailors requiring a security clearance as soon as possible."

For certain ratings listed in the Cycle 219 NAVADMIN 342/12, as well as Sailors in the Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance (CTM) rating and all nuclear and submarine ratings who do not meet security clearance requirements, remain ineligible for advancement and should not participate in an advancement examination.

For additional information on PTS eligibility requirements visit http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/careercounseling/Pages/FleetRIDE-PTS.aspx. For additional information regarding security clearance requirements visit http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/CAREER/ENLISTEDCAREERADMIN/Pages/Advancement.aspx.

Individual rating and paygrade bibliographies for the March 2013 enlisted examinations are posted on NAC's NKO portal at https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/careermanagement/navyadvancementcenter/home/exambibliographies.

For more information about the Navy Advancement Center and the Navy Enlisted Advancement System visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Navy-Advancement-Center/213190711299?ref=ts&fref=ts.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.