Culinary Specialist 1st Class Herbert Yate discusses career plans with Culinary Specialist 1st Class Ernest Trabucci during a two-day Career Management Symposium. There were many full time support (FTS) detailers at the event who came to speak with Sailors to discuss potential career opportunities.
Responding to a need for greater flexibility, the chief of naval personnel revised a pilot program allowing Sailors to take a break of up to three years from active duty, by authorizing the review of applications on a rolling basis in place of an annual selection board.
Sailors can apply through their detailers to participate in the Career Intermission Pilot Program, which offers quotas for 20 officers and 20 enlisted members annually through 2012.
Spots remain available from calendar year 2009, following the selection of nine officers and six enlisted members by a board that met in May. Authorization for rolling applications is contained in OPNAV Instruction 1330.2A, effective with the release of NAVADMIN 301⁄09.
“We made changes to the program to give our Sailors the flexibility to take advantage of professional and personal opportunities, or tend to personal or family needs, while keeping their Navy careers on track,“ said Rear Adm. Dan Holloway, director of the Navy's military personnel, plans and policy division.
“The Navy benefits too because we ultimately retain a highly trained, skilled and tested warrior upon their return to active duty.“
In addition to rolling applications, other changes include:
- Removing the restriction on retirement-eligible Sailors;
- Allowing E-1 to E-3 Sailors to apply for the program, with participation beginning at the end of their first term of service;
- Clarifying a requirement that Sailors in a high-year tenure status be able to serve two months on active duty for every month in the program.
The intent of the Career Intermission Pilot Program is to retain the valuable experience and training that otherwise would be lost through permanent separation.
While participating in the program, Sailors must maintain their security clearances and professional certifications, meet physical fitness requirements, and adhere to Navy policies regarding conduct. They receive two days' basic pay each month, and are not subject to operational mobilization unless they fail to meet the terms of the program.
To preserve steady promotion and advancement opportunity, officers and enlisted members are assigned adjusted dates of rank and pay grade, and enlisted Sailors are assigned new times in rate when they return to active duty.
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