SEPTEMBER 4, 2014, PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) – Naval Education and Training Professional Development Technology Center (NETPDTC) announced the schedule for the latest Advancement Exam Readiness Review (AERR), Sept. 2, which seeks volunteers to serve as subject matter experts (SMEs) for exam development.
Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 204/14 details the AERR schedule from October through March. Navy chiefs (E7 to E9) on active duty, Full Time Support (FTS), and reservists on Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW) are encouraged to apply.
The AERRs are held at Saufley Field in Pensacola, Florida. Fleet subject matter expert (FSME) travel and all associated costs are funded by NETPDTC. The reviews typically run one or two weeks in length, and updates to the AERR schedule are published quarterly.
“AERR panels bring chief petty officers together to serve as rating subject matter experts,” said Navy Advancement Center’s (NAC) Director, Cmdr. Brenda Stencil. “The panel work requires long days and meticulous effort, but all of the feedback I’ve received shows how personally rewarding and career enhancing these events are for attendees.”
According to Stencil, the chiefs who volunteer and are selected for panel membership work closely with the NAC staff of exam development professionals and play a vital role as a rating FSME. They are responsible for determining and developing the content of E4 through E7 rating advancement exams, significantly affecting the careers of all advancement-eligible sailors.
There are seven eligibility requirements listed in the volunteer nomination package and chiefs with recent experience in a major rating skill set or in multiple platforms are highly sought after. The NAC AERR fleet liaison, Peter Pappas, coordinates with learning center rating managers, detailers and type commander representatives to select the best nominees who have the right mix of skills and knowledge, and also complement other panel members, to support the AERR process.
“Each enlisted rating has its own unique skill sets that must be represented during the AERR process,” said Pappas. “This cannot be accomplished without the chiefs in the fleet volunteering to attend. It is crucial that every chief should view the AERRs as a way to give back to their community. It’s Sailorization at its finest.”
The application to volunteer as an FSME for advancement exam development must be endorsed by the volunteer’s commanding officer or officer in charge, as well as their command master chief, senior chief or chief of the boat prior to submission to NETPDTC. Potential applicants should contact the NETPDTC POC to request a waiver if needed.
For application forms, details and additional requirements, visit https://www.nko.navy.mil/group/navy-advancement-center.