Apprentice advancements regulates E1 - E-4 advancements in order to provide a solid foundation for billet based advancement (BBA) into the journeyman ranks (E-5 and E-6). It also provides a more predictable and transparent path to E-4 for all Sailors under this program, ensuring that every Sailor can be in a position to make a re-enlistment decision as an E-4 prior to the end of their initial obligated service.
TIME IN SERVICE (TIS) CONSTRUCT
All E-1 through E-4 advancements will transition to a TIS based construct on 1 July 2024.
TIS requirements to advance from E-1 to E-4 are as follows:
E-1 – E-2: 9 months TIS
E2 – E-3: 18 months TIS
E3 – E4: 30 months TIS
For Active Duty, including Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) Sailors, TIS will be calculated from the Active Duty Service Date (ADSD) or adjusted ADSD for Sailors with broken service.
For Selected Reserves (SELRES) Sailors, including those with a break in service, the effective date for purposes of TIS is the pay entry base date (PEBD).
ELIGIBILITY
The only two general eligibility requirements to advance E-1 through E-4:
- maintain commanding officer’s (CO) retention and promotion recommendation.
- meet the required TIS.
***PMK-EE is no longer required to advance to E-4***
***Physical Readiness Program (PRP)/Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)***
In line with BUPERSINST 1430.16G and PRP/PFA guidelines, Sailors must be within standards and have passed a current Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA). To delay advancement, prepare NAVPERS 1070/613 and notify PERS-803 by e-mail prior to the prospective advancement date. Once an advancement is delayed, the command must manually effect any future advancement locally (see note below). Sailors in this status will be flagged on the TIS report, identifying command action required. Advancement cannot be delayed on or after the effective advancement date.
EXCLUSIONS
The TIS construct does not apply to nuclear, advanced electronic field (AEF), and advanced technical field (ATF) Sailors, who obligate additional service to receive an accelerated advancement to E-4. Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) program Sailors are also excluded in line with PACT program requirements with an advancement timeline that is similar to TIS-based advancements.
COMMAND LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
REPORTS
A report has been developed via NSIPS, to assist commands in the management of apprentice advancements. This report contains data on upcoming advancements and flags Sailors where command action is required.
- NSIPS Report – Select “Standard Reports”, then “Personnel Reports”, then “AAA eligibility”
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
- Command Action. Sailors reduced in rate below E-4 must receive their CO’s advancement recommendation and are required to serve six months at their reduced paygrade and any subsequent paygrades, or meet required TIS dates (whichever is later). See AAA FAQ and MILPERSMAN 1430-020 for more information.
- Time In Rate (TIR) – TIR for E-4 advancement eligibility to E-5 will remain as established in BUPERSINST 1430.16G based on advancement month to E-4. Those advanced between1 Jan – 30 Jun will have a TIR of 1 January of the current year and those advanced between 1 Jul – 31 Dec will have a TIR of 1 July of the current year.
EFFECTING ADVANCEMENTS TO PAYGRADES E2-E4:
- ​Advancements are automatically posted upon meeting TIS requirements. E2-E4 advancements must be effected by NAVPERSCOM (PERS-803) to reduce a Sailor in rate or removed the prospective automatic advancement as requested.
- Delaying Advancement to paygrades E2-E4. All personnel are considered eligible for advancement to E2-E4 upon meeting TIS and Commanding Officer recommendation. To delay advancement, prepare NAVPERS 1070/613 and notify PERS-803 by email prior to the prospective advancement date. Once an advancement is delayed, the command must effect any future advancement locally (see note below). Sailors in this status will be flagged on the TIS report, identifying command action required. Advancement cannot be delayed on or after the effective advancement date.
***Note – For commands serviced by Transaction Support Centers (TSC), submit salesforce ticket. For commands that serve as their own servicing Accounting and Disbursing Station Symbol Number (ADSN), process as per locally established policy***
***Your feedback is important to us as we continue to modernize this program. Email your comments, questions, or concerns to OPNAV N132C at NXAG_N132C@navy.mil.***