“It follows than as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.” George Washington
The United States Navy is the most elite navy in the World. Those who are a part of this great organization reap the benefits of good food , exotic locations, and a sense of pride that will have others thanking you every time you put on your uniform. But it is also what you make of it, you have to remember that the Navy is a military organization which implements laws and regulations set fourth to provide security for the country and your best interests will not necessarily be looked at first.
There are a few things that are essential in getting promoted. First and foremost working hard and being consistent is very important when it comes to your Eval or Fitrep. A Eval is your yearly report on how you perform your duties and the manner in which you perform said duties. Evals are judged on several groupings:
1. Professional Knowledge- how well you know your specific rating, how promptly you meet your PQS requirements and your general knowledge of the military organization .
2. Quality of Work- What kind of work do you produce? Do you need supervision to complete a task? Do you maximize your resources that are available to you? These are the questions that you need to ask yourself.
3. Military Bearing/Character- Exemplary personal appearance , how well you conduct yourself on and off duty and how you wear your uniform are all judged in this grouping. Make sure you shave everyday and your haircut is within regulations which is: females-hair not touching collar while down or up in a bun. Males- hair not touching ears, back of hair neatly trimmed and presenting a professional appearance.
There are several other groupings that will determine your final Summary group average. The SGA will determine your final score of: Promotable, Must Promote, or Early Promote. EP’s add a lot of points to your Rating exam and could allow you to take the test earlier than your Time in Rate has set.
The second most important thing to do in helping you get promoted from within the Navy is studying. The Navy Wide Exam is a very specific excruciatingly difficult test and if you are not prepared there are very slim chances of you passing. Study guides are available all over the Internet by typing the name of your rate into the Google bar or on your NKO. The test is specific to your rating and no two tests are the same. For the lower rankings E-3-E5 taking the test, your knowledge of BMR or Basic Military Requirements is essential. BMR tests your understanding of the Navy structure and its history and the test will generally include at least 50 up to 100 BMR questions and can also be found on NKO or online.
Just remember nothing in life is easy and you will not be given anything for free. The Navy is made up of the best and to advance you have to be the best of the best. Good luck to you all serving in the Fleet.