Posted on Jan 24, 2021
MSgt Electrical Power Production
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I have been told by a friend that in the Navy the top three enlisted ranks are appointed by Presidential authority similar to Commissioned Officers. That this is a policy that goes back to the birth of the Navy and is still used today. And subsequently is the only branch that does this with there top three enlisted rates/ranks. Is this true or an old Wise tale? Thought some of you old Navy salts could shed some light on this subject. MCPO Roger Collins

Update:
After talking again with my friend he actually meant by Act of Congress but still believed the Navy is the only branch that receives Congressional appointment for the top three E-7 thru E-9.

I’ve always been under the impression that Congress dictated how many E-7 to E-9 slots each Service will have. And also they all must go through the boards. I have always understood that it would take a special or general court-martial to reduce the rate/rank of any services E-7 thru E-9. Many just use the term Act of Congress (because it can be difficult) even though that is not really the case.
Posted in these groups: Enlisted logo EnlistedChief petty officer %28cpo%29  e 7 CPOSenior chief petty officer %28scpo%29  e 8 SCPOMaster chief petty officer %28mcpo%29  e 9 MCPOStar Promotions
Edited 3 y ago
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Responses: 18
LTJG Richard Bruce
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Your friend is incorrect.

Individual O-1 through O-4 are automatically approved by Congress as a practical matter. Congress accepts the nominations of each service heads. Individual O-5 and up are not automatically approved en masse. Members of Congress can object to nominations for a variety of reasons.

Individual senior enlisted members, E-7 to E-10, are not submitted to Congress for approval. What Congress does is limited their numbers. Each service head approved those on a promotion list.

Commissioned officers serve indefinitely, at the pleasure of the President. Enlisted members serve per contract with a definite end period.

As of March 2019, the Navy had 273,823 enlisted members on active duty. Here's how it breaks down, by enlisted rank.

• Seaman Recruit (E-1) - 12,398
Seaman Apprentice (E-2) - 15,021
• Seaman (E-3) - 43,070
• Petty Officer Third Class (E-4) - 52,904
• Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) - 69,067
• Petty Officer First Class (E-6) - 50,997
• Chief Petty Officer (E-7) - 21,165
• Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) - 6,579
• Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) - 1,584

Promotion Boards
Navy-wide Promotion Boards are used for promotion to Chief Petty Officer (E-7), Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) and Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9). Those that are qualified for selection board consideration are considered “Selection Board Eligible” (SBE). E-7 candidates are designated SBE by completing the advancement exam and meeting the final multiple requirements for their rate; E-8 & E-9 are designated SBE on the basis of their CO / OIC Advancement recommendation.

Time in Rate (TIR) requirements for promotion to E-8 and E-9 are:

• Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) - 36 months TIR
• Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9) - 36 months TIR

Each selection board consists of a captain (O-6) who serves as president, a junior officer from BUPERS advancement section, who serves as a recorder, and officers and master chief petty officers who serve as board members.

Additionally, a sufficient number of assistant recorders ensure the smooth handling of records. The exact size of a board varies, but each board usually consists of about 78 members. The board meets in Washington, D.C., and officer board members are generally drawn from the D.C. area. The enlisted members are usually from out of town.

The recorder, assistant recorders, officer of the Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) enlisted advancement planner and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy may consult with the entire board on any matter concerning selections. With the board president's concurrence, the recorder divides the board members into panels, which are responsible for reviewing the records of individuals in one general professional area, i.e., deck, engineering, medical/dental, etc. Each panel consists of at least one officer and one master chief.

A maximum select quota for each rating is established by BUPERS planners and is provided to the board. This quota is filled by the "best-qualified" candidates. Quotas may not be exceeded but may remain unfilled if the panel determines there is an insufficient number of best-qualified candidates in a rating.
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LTJG Richard Bruce
LTJG Richard Bruce
3 y
Interesting fact - There are more E-3's in the Navy than all active duty numbers in the Coast Guard. There are about 4,300 E-7 to E-9's in the Coast Guard compared to about 32,000 in the Navy.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
3 y
One small correction, no such thing as an E-10, perhaps a typo?
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SCPO Geary Long
SCPO Geary Long
3 y
MCPO Roger Collins - 1 E-10 per branch. Such as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. Or called MCPON
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SPC Chris Ison
SPC Chris Ison
2 y
SCPO Geary Long - No. They are still E-9's. Tehre is no E-10.
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MCPO Roger Collins
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No, nothing that extravagant. The processes and boards are tough, but no Presidential attention. I had the advantage of liking to be tested, written and boards. BTW, unless things have changed, these processes only applied to E-8/9 pay grades. If the process has changed over past years, I’m sure someone will correct me.
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MCPO Daniel Meffen
MCPO Daniel Meffen
3 y
I never did a face to face with any comissioned officer board served 1971-1995 retired as a MMCM(SW)!
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
3 y
MCPO Daniel Meffen So, I retired eleven years before you made MCPO and was face to face boarded by three Officers. As I noted things change.
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SCPO Geary Long
SCPO Geary Long
3 y
There is a Chief selection board. Same for Senior and Master.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
3 y
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SFC Melvin Brandenburg
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I would think not. That doesn't seem to be my recollection.
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
MSgt (Join to see)
3 y
Thanks for the response brother!
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