USA: VSDP Provides Sailors New Opportunities

According to NAVADMIN 043/12, released Jan. 31, the Navy is asking Sailors to volunteer for sea duty under a new initiative called the Voluntary Sea Duty Program (VSDP).

Volunteering to return to sea duty under this program offers two key benefits.

“The Voluntary Sea Duty Program’s goal is to improve manning levels at sea, while providing motivated Sailors the benefits of geographic choice and stability as well as the deferment of their Perform-to-Serve window,” said Rear Admiral Tony Kurta, Director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division. “This opportunity allows Sailors a chance to improve their record and increase their competitive edge in PTS through sustained superior performance at sea.”

This program does not change eligibility or benefits for the Sea Duty Incentive Pay Program and Sailors may take advantage of both programs concurrently.

Under the program, Sailors may apply to extend their enlistment in their current sea duty billet beyond their prescribed sea tour, terminate their shore duty early in order to extend their enlistment to obtain new orders to a sea duty billet, or accept back-to-back sea duty orders. The sea duty assignment may be onboard ships, squadrons, or other qualified sea duty assignments.

Volunteers will be assigned to commands within the same geographic location as the current command if available, providing the benefit of geographic stability for Sailors and family members. The Navy will also consider Sailors’ requests for out-of-area moves.

Volunteers will not be required to accept a billet they do not desire. The detailers will work with volunteers during two CMS/ID cycles to find desirable orders. If no match is found during this time period, Sailors can reapply.

To be eligible to apply for a short term extension to defer PTS, Sailors must meet eligibility criteria to ensure competitiveness in their next PTS window. However, Sailors who do not meet these criteria, but have enough obligated service time can still apply for geographic stability or choice.

Requests will be accepted until Sep. 30, 2012. All 1306/7 requests should be forwarded to Navy Personnel Command via the Chain of Command.

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Naval Today Staff , February 01, 2012; Image: navy