September 2011 - Navy
By Yeoman First Class Jennifer Terry
Training Air Wing FIVE Reserve Component
NAS Whiting Field; Milton, Florida
“Go for the strong, tough jobs.... Strive to meet the
milestones in your careers and be aware of where you
are and what your record is,” stated an enthusiastic
CAPT Eric Stillwell of the Air War College. Stillwell,
along with three additional Navy Reserve Captains,
facilitated professional development training aboard
NAS Pensacola on April 16th.
Each year, the Association of the United States Navy
(AUSN) provides professional development seminars to
hundreds of Selected Reserve officers throughout major
fleet-concentrated areas in the U.S. The AUSN has
provided seminars since 2004 and has worked diligently
to refine the program. In past years, the seminar has
been offered in Denver, San Diego, Kansas City, Omaha,
Phoenix, Portland, Everett, Washington, Norfolk, Quincy
(Massachusetts), and now, in Pensacola. “We cater primarily
to reserve officers,” stated CAPT Bill Emslie, “and
we believe that leadership is a pillar of promotion.”
Captain Mark Hardy, one of the four instructors agreed
and added, “Command is the Navy’s most valuable prize;
it is bestowed only on those who demonstrate the
highest leadership potential. The key to career success
is sustained superior performance relative to peers in
positions of increasing responsibility. One must take
command of one’s own career and not leave success to
chance, for success is not a mystery — it results from
planning, hard work, and proven results.”
CAPT Emslie went on to say that the primary focus
of the seminars is to build professional development,
facilitate promotion and focus on fitness reports.
The training also guides officers on how to prepare
for promotion boards and encourages them to take
proactive measures to be involved in the Apply process.
Leadership and Joint Professional Military Education
(JPME) training options are also presented. Captain
Larry Weill, another experienced instructor, emphasized
this, “It was great to see so many junior officers present at
this program, because officers need to get involved with
the management of their own careers at a very early
stage. It’s no longer possible to ensure success by simply
being good at the duties of your assigned billet. Only
through continuous care, assisted by a knowledgeable
mentor, can you assure yourself of a long and successful
career.”
“In today’s Navy Reserve, officers are highly competitive.
Boards love demonstrated leadership, broad military
training such as JPME (Joint Professional Military
Education) and involvement in joint military exercises
and other joint-related training,” said Emslie.
The Pensacola seminar engaged 97 Navy Reserve
instructor pilots of Training Air Wings FIVE and SIX.
Officers in attendance ranged from ensign to captain.
“I got a better understanding of how the boards work,
what they’re looking for and how to manage my own
career. This seminar will help make me more competitive,”
said Ensign Eric Cunningham of Training Air Wing FIVE.
Cunningham began his military career as an Army
warrant officer helicopter pilot, where he served multiple
tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, he is a newly
commissioned ensign in the Navy Reserve currently
training in the Helicopter Instructor Training Unit at
NAS Whiting field. He will soon be qualified to instruct
students at Whiting in advanced rotary wing training.
In his day job, he is a deputy sheriff.
With over 23 years as an aviator in both, the Marine
Corps and Navy, CDR R. P. Nelson has a wealth of
knowledge and experience under his belt. “Here’s my
advice. Don’t just work in your specialty – branch out.”
For aviators, that means going out and doing staff work
or something else. CDR Nelson goes on to state, “The
big thing is to basically give yourself credibility in a
secondary career field. Regardless of your community,
having NOBC codes showing you have experience in
common areas such as staff gives everyone a common
frame of reference.”
Nelson’s take-away from the training: “Officers need
higher education – both in the form of a Master’s Degree
and JPME. Finally, they must be diligent in maintaining
their records. Make sure your qualifications are all up to
date and correct in your record.”
Another key component in selection for promotion is
taking on a Joint Individual Augmentee (IA) billet that
facilitates working with other branches of the Armed
Forces. “You have to do it for the right reasons,” says
CAPT Emslie. “An IA is NOT a precept for promotion,
but it is a tie-breaker. The more challenging the assignment,
the higher it will be regarded.”
Training Air Wing FIVE’s Reserve Component
Commander, CAPT(SEL) Guy Vilardi has this advice for
members vying for promotion, “Start early and diversify.
We are experts at what we do in our warfare qualifications
such as air, surface, subsurface, supply, engineering,
etc. You need to be valuable to the Navy outside of your
primary qualification – JPME, schools, selection board
participation, operational exercises, and IA. The key is
to do more than is asked of you. It is a leader’s sacrifice
and it will unlock the opportunity for promotion and
command. These are the activities that, if participated in
while you are in a Reserve billet supporting your supported
command, will build momentum professionally.”
CAPT(SEL) Vilardi believes that if officers can do
those things successfully, then they will impress the
selection board. “We need smart, well-rounded, aggressive
officers to take us into the 21st century.”
When asked about writing letters to the board, CAPT
Emslie recommends writing a letter only if necessary.
“After careful review of their Official Military Personnel
File (OMPF), members might need to write a letter to
the Board if they are missing key documents or need to
send a recent FITREP or award. Most often, members
try to ‘undo’ perceived wrongs and write long letters of
explanation.” He concludes with, “In short, if you do
have to write a letter, keep it brief and include the
necessary attachments. If properly maintained, your
record will speak for itself.”
One of the benefits provided by the AUSN is a records
audit for Navy personnel, E-6 and above. Price of the
audit is prorated based on the member’s rank, but the
cost is small compared to the impact it can have on a
person’s career.
CAPT Emslie’s final words of advice... “Get in leadership
roles and stay there!”
For additional information about the Association of
the United States Navy and the broad range of services
offered, including a review of your service record, go to
www.ausn.org.