CREO/REGA categories updated

All Hands, March, 2005 by Kyle Raines

The Career/ Reenlistment Objectives (CREO), Rating Entry for General Apprentices (REGA) and the critical skills Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) codes have been updated and released in a naval message.

This message, updated following the junior petty officer advancement exams, provides rating availability for non-designated strikers, advancement forecasts, CREO rating classifications, a list of critical skills and Perform to Serve (PTS) guidance.

"Keeping Sailors informed of opportunities gives them better flexibility and control of their careers, and is a key theme in the Navy's Human Capital Strategy," said LCDR Juliet Cook, an advancement planner for the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C.. "The information provided in this message should be used as a tool in command professional development boards in guiding the career decisions of junior personnel."

CREO 1 ratings are considered undermanned, CREO 2 ratings are manned at the desired levels and CREO 3 ratings are overmanned. Overall, 10 ratings have moved from CREO 3 to CREO 2 at the E-4 level.

Ratings that continue to show promise in moving toward CREO 1 at the E-4 level are construction mechanic (CM), damage controlman (DC), illustrator/draftsman (DM), dental technician (DT), hospital corpsman (HM), intelligence specialist (IS), information systems technician (IT), musician (MU), quartermaster (QM) and religious program specialist (RP).

Sailors in ratings that have changed categories to CREO 2 or 3 may begin submitting PTS applications now. For Sailors whose rating has changed to CREO 1 but have previously received direction to convert or separate under the PTS program, the PTS decision remains valid, and they will continue to convert or separate.

For more information on PTS and CREO/REGA, contact your command career counselor.

To view the naval message, visit www.bupers.navy.mil/ navadmin/nav04/nav04283.txt.

For related news, visit the Chief of Naval Personnel Navy NewsStand page at www.news. navy.mil/local/cnp.

Story by LTJG Kyle Raines, who is assigned to the public affairs office, Chief of Naval Personnel.