Navy announces advancement policy updates, benefit top performers

Navy announced changes to the current enlisted advancement Final Multiple Score (FMS) calculation process beginning with the spring 2019 Active Duty and Selected Reserve (SELRES) advancement cycles, with the goal of rewarding Sailors demonstrating sustained superior performance.

Detailed in NAVADMIN 312/18, released December 20, the FMS changes include updates to the computation process of the Performance Mark Average (PMA), reduction of the number of cycles for Pass Not Advanced (PNA) points, changes to the Service in Paygrade (SIPG) factor, and the discontinuation of Individual Augmentee (IA) Points.

“We are changing the focus of the FMS to better manage our talent, minimize the benefits of longevity and reward our top performers,” said Capt. Angela Katson, branch head of Enlisted Force Shaping Plans and Policies (OPNAV 132). “This is in line with CNP’s rating modernization efforts and our Sailor 2025 talent management initiatives.” Rating modernization supports Sailor 2025 initiatives that have the goals of redefining career fields, improving talent management and the detailing process, offering more career choices, and expanding professional development opportunities. These Sailor 2025 initiatives are intended to increase Fleet readiness, sustainability, and fit.

The change to policy regarding PMA for E-6 and E-7 candidates is that the Individual Trait Average (ITA) and Reporting Senior’s Cumulative Average (RSCA) will be used to determine RSCA PMA for Sailors competing for advancement to E-6 and E-7. The NAVADMIN provides guidance for the revised PMA computation, in addition to specific steps and examples.

“To facilitate RSCA PMA calculations, ITA and RSCA spreadsheets will be posted on the Navy Enlisted Advancement System website and Navy Personnel Command’s advancement page,” said Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) Command Master Chief, Master Chief Electronics Technician, Nuclear Power (SS) Gregory Prichard. “An automated RSCA PMA calculation solution should be available for the fall advancement cycles.”

PNA points for E-4 through E-6 candidates will continue to be added when the FMS is computed and points will continue to be awarded for the top 25 percent of eligible candidates to allow first time test takers an opportunity to compete on a more equal level. PNA points will only accumulate for the 3 previous advancement cycles - a maximum of 9 points. Current PNA points from previous cycles will be retained.

Experience will continue to be rewarded for E-4 through E-6 candidates. SIPG factor points for E-4 through E-6 candidates will continue to be added when the FMS is calculated. The SIPG factor will be changed by dividing SIPG by 5 for a maximum of 2 points.

Based on current operational requirements, the policy regarding IA points has changed. IA points will no longer be awarded or factored into the FMS score for E-4 through E-6 candidates.

All of these changes to the FMS will be effective for E-4 through E-6 SELRES candidates in the February 2019 cycle (Cycle

104) and for E-4 through E-6 Active-Duty, Full Time Support (FTS) and Canvasser Recruiter (CANREC) candidates in the March 2019 cycle (Cycle 243).

The E-7 FMS will be updated for Active-Duty, FTS and CANREC chief petty officer candidates beginning with the January 2020 NWAE (Cycle 246) and the February 2020 SELRES E-7 Cycle 106.

Any Sailor who is competing for advancement in a past cycle will be scored with the FMS computation used during the missed cycle. For example, Sailors who were unable to take an earlier exam or missed an exam while deployed to an approved operational area, or Sailors who missed an exam through no fault of their own with an approved exception-to-policy request or Board for Correction of Naval Records petition.

Details of the new FMS calculations can be found in NAVADMIN 312/18, available at www.npc.navy.mil.

For questions about the new FMS, contact MyNavy Career Center: 833-330-6622 or askmncc@navy.mil. (From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs)