JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Sailors in today's Navy are the smartest, most dedicated group that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. They always put the needs of the Navy before their own, and are often seen striving to do their best every single day.
That being said, we are sending Sailors home - a lot of them. Nine thousand Sailors will be asked to depart by next year. Why? Long story short, it all boils down to money and the amount of Sailors we need to operate and maintain our ships, submarines, airplanes and shore facilities. The engine used to make the early-departure decision is the Perform To Serve algorithm.
Supervisors have been documenting performance and ranking their Sailors since the inception of the Navy Evaluation and Counseling Record. Much of this same information is used by the PTS algorithm to rank Sailors, deciding which get to stay Navy. The following factors are used:
-Commanding Officer's recommendation for retention.
-CO's recommendation for advancement
-Applicants who have been selected for advancement.
-Applicants who passed the most-recent exam but were not advanced.
-Applicants who possess critical Naval Enlisted Classification Codes.
-Recent promotion recommendations on regular periodic evaluations.
Remember that the PTS algorithm is run by a computer and ranks how you look on paper. There are no feelings involved and it doesn't know that you showed up early for work every day. It only takes into account what it can quantitatively prove, based on your documented performance.
Doing your best every day has never been so important. Be the expert in your career field. Half of the advancement exam pertains to it. Be the role model and mentor for your junior Sailors. Take charge of every situation within your grasp and be the leader at every opportunity. If you're not working your supervisor out of a job, then you'd better get hot. Take charge of a collateral duty and improve the program. Also, assist your community by volunteering. The kids and local organizations need your help.
Doing these things every day will not only help ensure your success, but will make you a better person as well. This is what the Navy wants - Sailors Performing To Serve!