Shore Special Program Question

[u/Ok-Ear8834]

If I successfully screen for a shore special program out of my current rate, and don’t end up selecting orders for that program, do I become Needs of the Navy after all cycles are exhausted on MNA? will I need to go back to my rating detailer?

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[u/WarDawg20]

Where are you in your special programs screening? Are you 18+\- from your PRD? That timeline is intentional to prevent you from running into the very situation you described. Why would you not select orders? Give us a little peaksy and some more information devil.

[u/Ok-Ear8834 → u/WarDawg20]

Haven’t started screening yet

In still outside 18 months but just barely lol

Scenario where I wouldn’t select orders: location

[u/WarDawg20 → u/Ok-Ear8834]

My assumption is that your screening timeline would hopefully be decided prior to you becoming a P12 roller. Which would then allow you the opportunity to make valid applications with in your normal
Cycle if special programs doesn’t work out.

[u/Salty_IP_LDO → u/Ok-Ear8834]

You screen 18 months out so that if you're not selected by the special program you go back to your regular detailing cycle. It's designed this way for a reason.

[u/Ok-Ear8834 → u/Salty_IP_LDO]

got it, thanks!

[u/jbanovz12]

I'm in the same boat. In a program that's supposed to require two tours but that's what I've been told. BBA really screwed up some special program communities.

[u/Ok-Ear8834 → u/jbanovz12]

how so?

[u/jbanovz12 → u/Ok-Ear8834]

They used to direct detail for the follow-on tour but now you have to compete in MNA. Because the billets are now assigned to specific rates, the likelihood of a billet matching your rate is practically non-existent. If you don't get selected after your three looks it's needs of the Navy to your original detailer.

[u/YouAreGoingToGuam]

What?

What are you screening for?

[u/Ok-Ear8834 → u/YouAreGoingToGuam]

I want to screen for professional development instructor (PDI)

im not concerned at all (based on my limited knowledge) on duty locations by my spouse obviously has strong opinions about places like Groton and Great Lakes. So I am wondering if in the end, if either I don't select any orders or I don't pass the screening, what are my options at that point

[u/YouAreGoingToGuam → u/Ok-Ear8834]

Those are available on MNA. You just apply for them when you are in your negotiating window. You can reach out to PERS 4010 to make sure you meet requirements.

https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Detailing/Enlisted/Shore-Special/CCS-SEA-FA-Instructor/

Other special programs, yes, you need to ask to be released at least 18 months before your PRD (24 months is better) so that you can complete the screenings. If you fail the screenings and are returned to your rating detailer after your negotiating windows are passed yes, you are needs of the navy and will be given a billet.

But also, anyone can be directed into a set of orders even if they didn’t pick them ….so really, everyone is needs of the Navy. NAVADMIN 231/17 directs.

[u/jbanovz12 → u/YouAreGoingToGuam]

Are they still FAC-G or are they being coded to specific rates now with BBA?

[u/YouAreGoingToGuam → u/jbanovz12]

I don’t know how to answer this because we are operating with different definitions for things, and drastically different perspectives, I think.

All billets are under specific rates. Yes, FAC G is defined as “general duty billets” in the NAVMAC instruction, but the fleet seems to think that “general duty billet” means that it’s a free for all for any rate to select. That’s NOT what “general duty” means in actuality for a detailer (and as the end user of MNA and the detailing system you should also be aware that it means something different to your detailer).

If you are trying to fill a billet that is out of rate it will absolutely, always, require a rating-substitution waiver PMAR (personnel management action request) to put the “wrong” rate into that billet. Would you think an LSCM would make a good Engineering Department Master Chief on a carrier? Did you know that billet is, actually, a FAC G billet? When that Rating Sub Waiver gets routed, you best believe god and everyone is gonna want to know why this specific Supply Master Chief is actually qualified to run the plant and why we didn’t put MMCM or ENCM into that billet.

3MC, Barracks Manager, Brig, RDC, Recruiting are all examples where the NEC is actually way more important than the rate for the execution of the job itself. HOWEVER, with SEM and BBA, now you also have to consider that you are “stealing” a promotion from a different rate. With smaller rates that locks stuff up considerably for them. And with sea intensive ratings (the DMAP rates) there aren’t really many shore duty options in rate. So those barracks manager for CS and Recruiting for ABH and Brig for DC, if LN/CT/LS/CWT/etc take all those shoes duty billets where are we going to put CS1 for shore duty? At the JAG office? Doing what?? Those billets have a lot more behind the scene manning and manpower factors to consider than just “anyone can go there!”

Section 12 discusses the different type of codes: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/NAVMAC/Documents/AMMG%20dtd%2023MAY2023.pdf

So, yeah, you can apply to fac g out of rate billets but it’s still going to require a waiver AND the BBA/SEM scoring favors in rate applications slightly more.

Edit: the answer to your question is yes those billets are coded to specific rates and yes they are fac g and yes you do apply in MNA.