Sailors in war zones get more flexibility in advancement exams

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Sailors in war zones get more flexibility in advancement exams
By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes online edition, Saturday, December 15, 2007

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has announced a series of changes in how enlisted sailors serving on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa can take their advancement exams.

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Navy officials said 252 E-4 candidates are currently in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, along with 658 E-5 candidates, 872 E-6 candidates, and between 550 and 830 E-7 candidates.

One change gives commanding officers the authority to allow individual sailors to take the advancement exams instead of having an entire unit do so, the officials said in an e-mailed response to questions Friday.

“This gives CO’s who have a wide variety of sailors, with varying levels of active missions to support, the flexibility to give the exam to only those sailors that have the time and resources to take the exam while allowing those sailors with greater operational commitments or lack of resources the chance to take the exam later,” officials said.

In another move, the Navy has waived the advancement exam for all eligible E-7 candidates in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, officials said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50987