Speaking with Sailors: these questions came from discussions with Sailors at recent All Hands calls

All Hands, March, 2005 by Terry D. Scott

Q: What resources are available to help me study for my upcoming exam?

A: There is no quick or easy way to study for an advancement exam. It takes a lot of work and its important that you start early to prepare for your upcoming exam. Your first stop should be to get your bibliography from the Navy Advancement Center online at https://www.advancement.cnet.navy.mil.

To find everything you need to properly prepare for your exam, the Navy Advancement Center also has the Enlisted Advancement Exam Strategy Guide for your rating. This strategy guide also contains your bibliography and gives you a reference list for professional military knowledge, rating-specific knowledge and sample exam questions.

Inside the strategy guide you'll find tips to help you best prepare for your exam, a list of instructions, e-learning courses and training manuals to provide you with all of the information you need to pass the exam.

Once you have all the material you need, create a study plan, follow your plan and consider forming a study group with your shipmates.

Your strategy guide is really the best source available to study for your upcoming exam. It explains how the advancement system works and the variables that go into determining your final multiple.

Q: I'm in danger of losing the leave that I've accrued due to our command's deployment schedule. How will I be able to keep the leave days I've earned?

A: As many of our shipmates continue to serve on the front lines of the global war on terrorism, the opportunity for taking leave in some individual cases may be limited.

If you're deployed for more than 120 consecutive days aboard a ship or with a mobile unit, check the new regulations that became effective with NAVADMIN 244/04. The changes allow qualifying Sailors the opportunity to now carry over up to 120 days of leave. The previous maximum allowance that could be requested was 90 days, and the standard maximum allowance remains at 60 days.

If you plan on going over the maximum of 60 days, make sure to send your request for special leave accrual through your chain of command by the end of the fiscal year.

You work hard to earn the ability to take a break from the everyday responsibilities that comes with serving your country. We want to make sure that you don't lose the time off that you've earned and deserve.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON (SS/AW) Terry D. Scott