1. Around the Fleet
• Commanding officers and officers-
in-charge may waive up to one year
of the required time in rate for Sail-
ors in grades E-5 and E-6.
For more details regarding the changes,
read the NAVADMIN at www.npc.navy.mil
or review the frequently asked questions at
www.npc.navy.mil/careerinfo/performance-
evaluation/faq.htm.
Story courtesy of Navy Personnel
Command, Millington, Tenn.
Photo by MC1(AW) R. Jason Brunson
Preparation Key to Weathering
Hurricanes
The annual hurricane season is in full
swing, and some experts predict this could
be a busy year for storms. But, the Naval
More than 100 Sailors depart Fort Jackson, S.C., after completing the U.S. Navy Individual Safety Center (NSC) has storm preparation
Augmentee Combat Training course at the post. The Sailors will take assignments in Iraq, tips that could lessen the damage to life and
Afghanistan, Kuwait and the Horn of Africa (Djibouti) to supplement Army troops. property if a hurricane does come ashore.
Derek Nelson, who heads the NSC’s
Navy Recognizes IA/GSA on
Media Division, recently helped put together
a pocket-sized hurricane preparedness guide.
Fitness Reports and Evals
He said preparation is important even when
evacuation isn’t necessary.
“Don’t wait until the wind is blowing and
To ensure the Navy’s individual
augmentees’ (IA) service is prop-
erly recognized, the Navy has modi-
tion program support personnel and Overseas
Contingency Operation Support Assignment.
If a Sailor’s reporting period occurs while
the rain is pouring to get water and non-per-
ishable food,” Nelson said. “Track the storm
as it approaches and preparation before
fied its performance evaluations and on an IA, reporting seniors use the new billet landfall is imminent.”
advancement eligibility. code as long as the Sailor was at the parent The NSC suggests making a yard and
Beginning Aug. 1, regular reporting command 240 days or less, or if the perfor- property inspection well in advance of the
seniors must maintain regular performance mance period is less than 240 days. Addition- storm. Remove diseased or damaged tree
evaluation continuity and use a new billet ally, if the Sailor finished an IA before the branches and secure objects that could be-
code subcategory (Block 21) code “INDIV reporting period ends, reporting seniors still come airborne from high winds.
AUG” to break out those Sailors who serve use the new billet subcategory if the Sailor has But, winds aren’t the only danger. Flood-
in an IA assignment, according to NAVAD- been at the parent command 180 days or less. ing is also a major concern.
MIN 215/10. Those Sailors who exceed the 240- or 180-day “Here in Norfolk, the city publishes a map
“It’s important for us to recognize the periods will be evaluated with their peers. that shows the flood zone,” Nelson said.
performance and contributions of our Sailors The message also contains specific guid- He recommended that residents of any
who are serving as IAs,” said Jim Price, Navy ance for revised advancement eligibility and city find out if they’re in a flood-prone loca-
Personnel Command (NPC) performance performance mark average (PMA) compu- tion. If so, move valuables to the highest level
evaluation division director. “This revised tations. For Sailors serving on an IA who of the house.
policy sets a Navywide standard to ensure report after Aug. 1 the following guidance Loss of electricity is a nuisance during a
all our Sailors receive the same opportunities is provided: storm, but it can also be dangerous if there’s
to excel.” • Concurrent performance evaluation no way to monitor the hurricane.
The NAVADMIN explains a Sailor is completed while on an IA assign- “Think about what will happen when you
considered IA when: in receipt of individual ment will count toward PMA calcu- don’t have electricity for a few days. Don’t fill
deployment orders from NPC to include IA lations and for time in rate waivers if your freezer with food that will spoil. Also,
manpower management assignments, global a “promotable” or higher promotion keep a battery-operated radio handy with
war on terrorism support assignments (GSA), recommendation is assigned. plenty of spare batteries,” Nelson said.
mobilized Reserve personnel not mobilized as • Compute PMA using all evaluations While he has evacuated the city several
part of an established commissioned Reserve in the respective pay grade, including times in advance of storms, Nelson recog-
component unit, health services augmenta- frocking, for the computation period nizes that most people won’t have to take that
announced. drastic step. But it’s important to have a plan,
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