Chief Petty Officer Preparation Checklist

THE U.S. NAVY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER TOOLBOX

- A Step-by-Step Approach to CPO Advancement Preparation -

STEP ONE:

Read "Factors for Selection" from the FY2008 Chief Petty Officer Selection Board - Click here

STEP TWO:

Log-on to Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) - Click here - to start reviewing your records to see what documentation, qualifications, etc. may be missing or needing update. Check the following two major sections:

1) Electronic Training Jacket (ETJ) at Learning > Electronic Training Jacket and print out the entire ETJ and review each section and click on "Data Problems" on bottom of each page on guidance on how to make corrections or updates.

2) BUPERS Online at Career Management > BUPERS Online and click on the following 4 sections -
          a) "FITREP/Eval Reports" (and review all reports listed are correct),
          b) "ESR" (Enlisted Summary Record - to review all information is correct),
          c) "PSR" (Personal Summary Record - to review all information is correct), and
          d) "Request Record on CD" (to receive your complete Service Record on file at
                BUPERS on CD-Rom for review). ADVICE: If corrections or updates are made,
                order your CD-Rom again after a few months to confirm. This should be done at
                least 3 months prior to the next CPO advancement exam cycle.

STEP THREE:

After reviewing your service record - such as evaluations, awards, qualifications, etc. - start reviewing what you can do to improve yourself in the following areas and utilizing other tools at your disposal, such as:

1) Request a Career Development Board (CDB) through your chain of command - Click here for details - for advice on what you may need to do to improve your record and career.

2) Learn and get involved in writing of your own Enlisted Evaluations; this should begin as a PO2 and become an integral part for all sailors the rest of their career. Visit NavyFITREP.com - Click here - for further advice.

3) Take a good, hard look at the type of Collateral Duties you are assigned - Click here - for a comprehensive listing of duties available and applicable instructions. Take the tough command duties that provide the most involvement in the command, as a whole, and direct sailor support.

4) Review your current education status: how far are you along in earning a college degree? have you accomplished some non-resident Navy courses to expand your level of knowledge? have you completed the Navy e-Learning courses required for the Advanced Leadership Development Program (ALDP) and for selection to Chief? Go to NKO - Click here - at Learning > Navy eLearning, and Learning > SMART Transcripts, and Learning > Navy College Office to review all these programs. ADVICE: Additionally utilize the Navy Storekeeper.com COLLEGE DEGREE Toolbox - Click here.

5) Have you completed the required Leadership Development course for your job position? Go to NKO - Click here - at Leadership > Advanced Leaders for LDP quotas and dates.

6) Navy Policies and Programs - recommend reading the "Becoming a Chief" Toolbox links listed below to keep abreast of changes and updates to provide information for yourself, and provide knowledge in supporting sailors assigned to you. This is a much ignored leadership tool.

7) Check out OTHER Learning Opportunities to add to your service record, such as:
          a) USA Learning - Click here - the official learning site for the U.S. Federal
               Government.
          b) CANTRAC Volume I (Training Facilities) and CANTRAC Volume II (Course
               Descriptions) - go to NKO - Click here - at Learning > Learning Opportunities for
               automatic log-in to both sections.

STEP FOUR:

To review qualifications, and determine the schedule for the next CPO Advancement Exam and Selection Board - Click here. Read the applicable NAVADMIN for additional dates and information, and previous selection board details as well.

STEP FIVE:

And finally, if qualified, recommend preparing for the next CPO Advancement Exam cycle in January for Active Duty & February for Reserves - as soon as the Bibliography References are posted the previous month of July. Use the following links to develop your study calendar:

          a) Navy Advancement Center - Click here - to log-in for your specific rating's
               Bibliography Reference.
          b) Enlisted Advancement Exam Strategy Guide - Click here - to review your specific
               rating's Exam Strategy Guide
          c) For CPO Professional Military Knowledge (PMK) study material, go to Navy
                Storekeeper.com - Click here - Active Duty and Click here - Reserves.
          d) For Occupational Ratings, go to Navy Storekeeper.com - Click here - for listing of
               ratings currently provided (12) by either our site or a rating's Volunteer Editor.
          e) Quiz Sites - Check out Navy Storekeeper.com's list of quiz sites created by fellow
               sailors - Click here and incorporate into your study plan.
          f) Also check out at Navy Storekeeper.com, 2 informative How-To Toolboxes: The
                   Exam Study Tips Toolbox - Click here, and the Advancement Tools Toolbox -
               Click here.