Plan would expand active-duty billet process

[unhappycamper]

Plan would expand active-duty billet process
By Mark D. Faram and Philip Ewing - Staff writers
Posted : Monday Mar 2, 2009 16:34:19 EST

Reservists could begin competing with active-duty sailors for active-duty billets within the next two years if personnel officials succeed in creating what they hope will be a close new alignment between the active and reserve sides of the Navy.

If changes go as planned, a reservist could log into the current detailing system and apply — just as active sailors do — for an open position. If picked by the detailer and the command, he would move back to the active side, possibly sign a multiple-year agreement to take the orders, and report for duty.

It would all take place in a Navy without the traditional barriers to moving freely between the active and reserve sides of the service, leading to a major change in how sailors spend their Navy careers.

Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson hopes the first step could take place later this year, when officials want to be able to move a sailor from active to reserve status — and back again — in as little as 72 hours per transfer.

The vision is to make the move routine and not need a wartime mobilization authority or require a sailor to visit an active or reserve recruiter, which is how it’s done today.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/03/navy_reserves_030209w/%2e