Do you think evaluations are fair in the Navy?

I've written evaluations in each of the services' systems. Objectively the best system is the Marines' then the Army's then the Navy's and lastly, the Air Force's. Though I do hear that military civilians' are even worse than the AF's.

Is the eval system perfect? No. Fair, yes, if it is done right. Most times I would say the GOBC is simply the figment of imagination in personnel to explain why they didn't break out. Does it exist? Yes at some level, "Ducks promote ducks" as LCDR Snodgrass wrote in his "Keep a Weather Eye on the Horizon" paper. Most people see being involved in the command as sucking up, however this is what you are here for, The Navy. This isn't a 9-5 Job at Starbucks. When everyone shows up to work and does there job, it is not enough to break out. Someone who gets involved, does the Command collateral duties, gets their degree, makes sure the packouts happen, gets the Duty Sections organized, Get involved with their sailors careers (not just the ones below them but outside the workcenter too) and represent the squadron day in and day out WILL be recognized and break out from their peers.

Now to say there is a GOBC in some commands that they protect each other no matter what when they screw up, yes that exists sparingly. Unfortunately it comes often times at other personnels careers, and if you feel you are getting mistreated because you're not one of the Ducks, The Navy has a grievence system and the Investigator General to address those issues, as they will not be tolerated.

For non-Navy folks what is an EP and P as far as evaluations go?

If the comments block went away and all you had to go by was a check in a block and an average I feel it would be more accurate. That comment block is where the GOBC comes into play. That block should only be used for special circumstances where the sailor has to explain a specific answer...such as a mast or adverse mark on a trait.

I would say that the eval system is fair in that it looks at various aspects of an individuals preformance. The problem I've seen over the years is that the people writing the eval are the ones who need to be more fair. Giving someone an EP simply because they're eligible for the next paygrade or because the reporting senior likes the sailor is BS. That sailor should be getting an EP becuase they know their rate, they're an outstanding sailor, and they'rere an asset to the command.

I think it depends on the evaluator, if you have an evaluator, CPO, PO1, whatever, who has a grudge against you, you might not get as far of a shake as if you have an evaluator that is unbiased

What's an EP?