Navy moves to make IA assignments part of detailing process

With the recent implementation of NAVADMIN 147/07, removing Sailors from their current duty assignment to fill individual augmentee (IA) orders will gradually become the exception as the Navy moves to make most global war on terrorism (GWOT) support tours part of the normal detailing process.

Phase One began in June for officers and will begin this month for enlisted Sailors. During this time frame, Navy Personnel Command will start to bring about 1,200 Joint Manning Document (JMD) driven GWOT billets into the normal detailing process as they become open between September and December 2008. These billets account for about one-third of all the active-duty IA requirements that exist today.

Phase Two will continue this process, adding additional billets to make a total of about 80 percent of the IA requirements. Phase Three will add the emergent fill billets into the process, which currently consist of about 20 percent of the IA requirements.

Under these plans, Sailors would volunteer for an IA assignment at their Projected Rotation Date (PRD) and PCS to either San Diego or Norfolk where they will be attached to the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center while they carry out their temporary duty GWOT Support Assignment (GSA).

"The desired end state is a Sailor assignment and distribution system which retains predictability for our Sailors and stability for our commands, yet is agile enough to respond to the requirements of our combatant commanders in the GWOT," said Adm. John C. Harvey, Chief of Naval Personnel.

According to Harvey, the current process of selecting Sailors to fill IA billets will continue in the short term, but as we transition into the new process, there will be less and less requirements for commands to pull Sailors mid-tour.

"Our existing IA process meets mission and has matured to the point that we average nearly 60 days notice (to our Sailors)," said Harvey. "However, it also limits Sailor input into the process, masks unit-level manning impacts and its unpredictability breeds uncertainty and concern from the fleet."

The new process is expected to improve the predictability of GWOT assignments, enable volunteerism, improve manning stability at the unit level, and add detailer involvement for oversight of professional development and career progression.

For more information on IA assignments or processes, go to http://www.npc.navy.mil/CareerInfo/Augmentation/.> Story courtesy Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn.