US Navy Announces Rating Conversion Opportunities to Navy Counselor

The Navy seeks motivated first and second class petty officers with career counselor experience to consider applying for a rating conversion to Navy Counselor (NC), officials said Jan. 23.

“The Navy’s goal is to make 81 active-duty Navy Counselors this fiscal year,” said Master Chief Navy Counselor Darryl Blackmon, NC technical advisor, Bureau of Naval Personnel, enlisted community management division.

Unlike other ratings, NC is not open to incoming recruits and the rating must attract experienced Sailors from the fleet.

Applicants must be active duty first and second class petty officers with six to 14 years of active Naval service; have no marks below 3.0 in the previous three years performance evaluations; have an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test score of VE+AR=105, minimum 50 AR; have at least 12 consecutive months experience as a command, departmental or divisional career counselor during the previous three years prior to application date. Additional guidance is outlined in MILPERSMAN 1440-020.

 “This rating requires a thorough knowledge of the Navy’s personnel and administrative procedures and policies. Any Sailor who intends to apply for the NC rating should be ready to accept the responsibility as Command Career Counselor and provide a positive lasting impact to the Navy’s greatest asset; its Sailors,” said Blackmon.

The NC rating assists commands in planning and implementation of the enlisted command career development and retention program. NCs are the commands’ principal advisors on policies and regulations related to Navy career planning matters.

Responsibilities include execution of enlisted retention programs of the Navy and counseling Sailors and their families on active duty and post-retirement incentives, opportunities and benefits.

 “Successful NCs work hard to develop strong counseling techniques, as well as exemplary organizational and administrative habits,” said Blackmon. “The community relies on strong oral and written communication skills to keep our Sailors informed, and ensure the right Sailor fills the right billet.”

There are currently more than 600 NCs providing career management services to Fleet Sailors. Opportunity for advancement consistently exceeds the Navy advancement average. Sailors competing for first class petty officer typically have 100 percent advancement opportunity.

The NC rating was established in 1972 to assist in managing retention and augmenting recruiting with subject matter experts in the all volunteer force.

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Naval Today Staff, January 24, 2013; Image: US Navy