Larger group of sailors now eligible for ESRP

The Navy expanded eligibility for the Enlisted Supervisor Retention Pay program (ESRP) recently, to include supervisors from select ratings in Zone D, or 16-20 years of service.

ESRP is a career-oriented incentive program for experienced senior enlisted Sailors in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program who hold the Navy Enlisted Classifications (NEC) of: 3363, 3364, 3365, 3366, 3393, 3394, 3395 and 3396. It replaces the Selective Reenlistment Bonus for those personnel.

"There's a strong civilian economy and it's rebounding," said CDR Jeff Manning, nuclear enlisted community manager and ESRP manager. "Our Sailors are highly trained and have a lot of employment choices. What we want to do is to stay competitive, to make the Navy the employer of choice."

A two-phased approach to ESRP was part of the program's design from the outset, said Manning. When launched in November 2004, ESRP was offered to select personnel with 10 to 16 years of service only. The second phase, effective May 2, provides further incentives to highly skilled Sailors with up to 20 years of service.

"We wanted to continue to compensate these Sailors through a 20-year career," said Manning.

While the Selective

Reenlistment Bonus has a policy limit of $60,000 for most ratings in the Navy, the ESRP program offers up to $100,000, said Manning. It saves dollars in manpower and in training costs by retaining a skilled Sailor rather than "to grow a new Sailor," he added.

Sailors with 16 to 20 years of service may not be eligible to receive the full $100,000 but will be eligible for significant bonuses depending on how close they are to their 20th year of service. Current DOD guidance puts a limit of $200,000 a Sailor can collect in retention bonuses throughout their career.

Story by MC3 Trevor Andersen, public affairs office, Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn.

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