Overhauled rotations to fit career goals

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Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launching and Recovery Equipment) 3rd Class Edwardo Villagomez signals as an F/A-18 Hornet prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier Nimitz. A new rotation plan would make ABE deployments more predictable.


Overhauled rotations to fit career goals
By Mark D. Faram - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Mar 30, 2008 8:43:05 EDT

ABOARD THE CRUISER ANZIO — Joe Gonzalez has been onboard this ship for six years, longer than anyone in the crew. Not only did it give him bragging rights, it also netted him an extra $6,000.

“It gave me a bonus and allowed me to take some extra time and think about what I wanted to do in the Navy,” the second class fire controlman said. “Now my goal is college, which I will be able to do while on shore duty in Dahlgren, ”

Gonzalez took the extra year at sea — his initial tour was supposed to last five years — and it’ll pay off beyond the sea duty incentive pay he earned. He now expects to make first class during his shore tour and wants to become a limited-duty officer.

That’s just one way officials hope the Navy’s proposed sea-shore rotation overhaul will work for sailors. Simply put, it’s a plan that creates predictable sea-tour and shore-tour lengths tailored to every rating, while rewarding those who agree to stay at sea longer with bonuses, choice of home ports and other perks.

As a result, today’s rigid sea-shore rotation scheme — an outmoded structure based on available sea and shore billets and a sailor’s paygrade, which made it unpredictable — is about to go away.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/03/navy_customtours_032908w/