The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) administered the chief petty officer examination to 262 eligible first class petty officers while underway, Jan. 15.
Sailors taking the exam have three hours to complete the test, which consists of 100 Navy knowledge questions and 100 job specific questions. Sailors who pass the examination will then proceed to a chief selection board.
Chief Personnel Specialist Brian Kentosh, Educational Services Office leading chief petty officer, said:
Well we had 230 take it last time and about 26 got advanced. The test is by no means easy, but it isn’t as hard as the board, which comes after.
Becoming a chief petty officer in the Navy is an enlisted career landmark and is the first senior leadership position open to enlisted Sailors.
Exam results typically come out in March. Those who pass the exam have their records reviewed by the chief petty officer selection board two months after that.
After selection a first class petty officer becomes a chief (select) for a period lasting approximately two months. During the two months current chiefs test and train the chief (selects) in preparation for the Navywide pinning ceremony in September.
Press release, Image: US Navy