I’ve been getting a lot of traffic again lately to a few pages on Navy Advancement Results with most of the traffic coming from searches like “When do Navy advancement results come out?”, “Navy Advancement Results for cycle XXX”, and “E-x Navy Advancement results”.

First of all, c’mon people! Do you really think a site named “Gear Adrift” is going to have the latest advancement results? Secondly, why do you think google would lead you to the right place? It’s a great search engine but if you don’t know about the results, why would google? It’s not like google is in the Navy, after all.

So, here’s my bright idea to help you fellow rate-grabbers out. I’m going to compile a tracker of exactly when the various Navy advancement results have come out.

Navy Advancement Results Tracker

• Jan 2008, CYCLE 198 Chief (E7) Advancement Results - 01 AUG 2008
• Mar 2008, CYCLE 199 (E4, E5, E6) Advancement Results - 22 MAY 2008
• Sep 2007, CYCLE 195 (E4, E5, E6) Advancement Results - 16 NOV 2007

Meet the Navy’s two newest ships, both aircraft carriers and both named after former presidents. In fact, the only thing in common between the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Bill Clinton are the fact that they are named after former presidents. See our side-by-side comparison of these 2 mighty (ok, really 1 mighty) warships, the different characterisitics of each ship, learn their different purposes in wartime, their standing orders, and welcome the newest additions to the fleet.

Read the full story

So, an old friend of mine has been deployed for a little while and I heard a joke today that made me think of him and his Louisiana ways (I’m from LA, too). I haven’t heard a good ole’ Boudreaux joke in a while but my dad sent me this one:

Subject: Fw: Boudreaux and Thibodeaux

Two Cajun hunters get a pilot to fly them to Canada to hunt moose.

They bag six. As Boudreaux and Thibodeaux start loading the plane for the return trip, the Pilot says “The plane can only take four of those.”

The two Cajuns object strongly. “Last year we shot six and the pilot let us put them all on board; he had the same plane as yours.”

Reluctantly, the pilot gives in and all six are loaded. However, even with full power, the little plane can’t handle the load and down it goes and crashes in the middle of nowhere.

A few moments later, climbing out of the wreckage, Boudreaux asks Thibodeaux , “Any idea where we are?”
“I think we’re pretty close to where we crashed last year.” says Thibodeaux.

Merry Christmas Mark!

Go to BOL and check them out!

https://www.bol.navy.mil/DefaultPub.aspx

The post office has released it’s deadlines for getting packages delivered to the APO/FPO addresses. The below is from the following link: http://www.usps.com/mailpro/2007/septoct/page8.html

1. EMMS is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO of address.

2. PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight and 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

3. SAM parcels are paid at Parcel Post rates with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

1. GXG is available to more than 190 countries via an alliance with Federal Express. See a retail associate at participating locations for a complete list of countries and money-back guarantee details, or go to pe.usps.com, and click International Rates and Fees, then Country Listing. You can also see the March/April 2007 issue of MailPro at usps.com/mailpro. Some restrictions apply. Free shipping supplies are available. Purchase postage online and receive a 10 percent discount.

2. EMS is available to more than 190 countries with delivery in three to five average business days. Guaranteed, money-back service is available to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea (Republic of South). Flat-rate shipping options and free packaging are available. Purchase postage online and receive an 8 percent discount.

3. PMI is available to more than 190 countries with delivery in six to 10 average business days. Flat-rate shipping options and free packaging are available. Purchase postage online and receive a 5 percent discount.

*Average number of days may vary based on origin and destination.

MailPro
News for Mailing Professionals

FYI

Keep in touch with our troops overseas. Go to usps.com/supportourtroops for mailing guidelines.

There has been a fairly substanstial increase in the Navy’s Uniform Replacement Allowance because of the new uniforms that are due to start rolling out next year. This increase is primarily because there is a Gortex parka and liner that are in the new seabag and combined retail for $236.18.

This parka, shown to the left, is part of the foul-weather working uniform.

How much extra money?

To replace an entire set of uniforms, Navy enlisted men in paygrades E-6 and below would pay $1,203.64, which is $28.99 more than last fiscal year. Navy enlisted women in the same paygrades would pay $1,432.15, which is $22.14 more than last year.

For male sailors (E1-E6), the Navy’s standard replacement allowance is $662.40, a jump of $270 from last fiscal year, and the basic allowance is $464.40, an increase of $190.80.

For female sailors (E1-E6), the new standard replacement allowance is $680.40, which is $277.20 more than last year, and the basic allowance is $475.20, up $194.40 from last year.

Navy chief petty officers in grades E-7s and above have their own seabag list. A complete set of uniforms costs $1,172.20 for male chiefs, an increase of $130.10 over last fiscal year, and $1,042.10 for female chiefs, an increase of $90.30 from last year.

As with lower-ranking sailors, chief petty officers will see large hikes in their standard annual clothing replacement allowances. The allowance for chiefs is now $871.20, an increase of $226.80 over last fiscal year, and $939.60 for women, up $270 from last year.

To get a head start on your seabag check out some Navy Uniforms for sale at places online.

Think the Navy is tough. Think again.

I’m proposing a new recruiting poster for the type of sailor the new Navy is attracting.

It’s a new Navy, everybody knows that. Today’s wars are no longer fought with two battleships, side-by-side, taking blows at each other with sailors swinging from the masts and fighting with swords. That’s for Hollywood movies and historical archives. Today’s wars are high-tech and most sailors are trained like technicians and don’t even know the difference between rope and line.

Consider the following brief article and feel free to comment below with your thoughts on “The New Navy”.

Read the full story

There has been quite a bit of buzz about the New Navy Uniforms and I’ve received several emails since making the post. To answer a couple of questions that were asked to me:

• As far as I know, the uniforms are supposed to be issued by Summer 2008. However, knowing how things sometimes go, it could possibly be delayed.
• Boot Camp is “supposed” to be issued these uniforms late this year, early next year.

And, as mentioned in the previous post, they DEFINITELY look like Marine uniforms and I’m DEFINITELY NOT the only one who feels this way.
//end rant

New Navy Uniforms

The New Navy Uniforms are set to roll out Summer 2008 and have already been tested in many areas.

From the official Navy website:

The new Navy service uniform for E-6 and below is comprised of a short-sleeve khaki shirt for males and an over-blouse for females, made from a wash and wear 75/25 polyester and wool blend, with permanent military creases, black trousers for males with belt less slacks for females and optional belt less skirt, and a black unisex garrison cap. Silver anodized-metal rank insignia will be worn on shirt/blouse collars and cap. The service uniform will also include a black relaxed-fit Eisenhower-style jacket with a knit stand-up collar and epaulets, on which petty officers will wear large, silver anodized-metal rank insignia. Those entitled to wear gold chevrons will continue to wear gold chevrons on the large metal rank insignia on the jacket.

And from MCPON Scott on the reason for the New Navy Uniforms:

“In our research, we found the group most dissatisfied with their present uniforms were E-6 and below,” Scott said.

Most sailors I’ve talked to disagree with this statement and are unhappy with the new navy uniforms appearance. This is either from a fear of change or a fear of not wanting to look like a Marine.

Myself, personally, I’m not a big fan of the khaki ones but the blue ones seem ok. I’m keeping an open mind on the subject.

It looks like the Navy Rating Advancement exams of September 2007 are at an end, with just the makeup exams to go, all that’s left is the waiting game.

For those of us who feel we were close, and are wondering when do Navy advancement results come out, the best thing for us to do is sit back and forget about getting advanced. For those who don’t think they made it, wait for the bibs and get a head start on March’s exam (yeah, right!). Honestly, the best part of getting advanced is not having to take the Navy Advancement exam for a few years.

Ok, maybe it’s not the best part, but it’s close.

Either way, we’ll get the Navy advancement results posted sometime around December probably. No names, of course, just the stats.