The Navy's rating modernization will continue into 2017, as Navy officials press forward with reforms that will broaden career fields and allow sailors to qualify to work, advance and take duty assignments in more than one skill within a related field.
The modernization is expected to take three to five years to totally complete, but sailors should start seeing parts fall into place in 2017.
Multiple, parallel efforts are underway to make this happen. First up is the expected request for proposal to create a new personnel mega-database considered the keystone of the effort. Without this in place, the ability of the Navy to track sailors' skills and training won't be possible. The Navy was expected to request proposals in very late 2016, and let the contract begin sometime in 2017.
Meanwhile working groups are evaluating all Navy skills, formerly known as ratings, to see where those with like skills can be combined into broader career fields that promote cross training. That review is expected to extend into 2017 and could wrap up by the fall or year's end.
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
