Fourteen Sailors on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) were advanced to their next higher pay grade by Capt. Jeff Ruth, Nimitz’ commanding officer, this week.

 

With the command advancement program (CAP) going away, this is one of the last opportunities available for Sailors to be advanced through CAP.

 

Sailors eligible for CAP must have at least one regular competitive evaluation, meet all the advancement requirements for the next higher pay grade and meet physical readiness requirements for advancement. Non-designated Sailors must meet all those requirements but cannot be nominated for a rate that requires an “A” school or a special selection process.

 

“It feels like an honor and it’s a humbling experience,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fueling) 3rd Class (AW) Donovan Neely, one of the people advanced through CAP. “I’ve passed the test every time but wasn’t picked up because of how closed up my rate has been.”

 

Sailors are selected by their chain of command for CAP. Once selected, a nomination form is filled out. The nomination consists of the Sailors’ qualifications, their time in rate, their time on board, collateral duties, warfare pins, evaluations, college courses taken, community service, previous exam scores, any disqualifiers, personal awards and what rank they are advancing into.

 

“My division saw I was fit to do the job and had already taken on the responsibilities of a petty officer plus my qualifications exceeded that of an airman,” said Neely. “I went TAD (temporary assigned duty) to the Bush (USS George W. Bush (CVN 77)) and got put into PRIFLY (primary flight control) and just excelled from there.”

Once advanced to the next pay grade, Sailors will take on more responsibilities. It’s essential for these Sailors to continue to excel in their positions and lead junior Sailors to do the same.

 

“I went TAD during DPIA (docking planned incremental availability) to the berthing team,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class (AW) Britney Gardner. “When I came back to my division, I received a rush of new responsibilities so I took them and ran.”

 

Being dedicated, both professionally and personally, will help Sailors to stand out above the rest.

 

“Prioritize yourself,” said Gardner. “Look where you are at now and where you want to be in the future. Find a mentor to talk to about work stresses and seek advice from