CHAPTER THREE

 CADET/ADULT ADVANCEMENT REQUIREMENTS

A. NSCC Rate Structure. The NSCC cadet rate structure and terminology generally parallels that of the Navy and Coast Guard, from NSCC Seaman Recruit (E1) to NSCC Chief Petty Officer (E7 – NSCC only). Cadets enroll as Seaman Recruits and advance through the ranks when they satisfy promotion requirements.

1. General Cadet Advancement Requirements. The specific training and academic requirements for advancement through the rate NSCC CPO are indicated in the table below.

a. Cadets must meet all requirements listed in the table below for each advancement in rate (including the minimum time in rate) before advancement is made. The unit must also adhere to the Table of Cadet Petty Officer Allowances, paragraph 0520.1 in the NSCC Regulations for advancement to PO2, PO1, and CPO.

b. The Record of Cadet Advancement NSCADM 009 is used to record completed correspondence courses, annual training, and advancements.

c. Cadets must score 3.2 or higher to pass each assignment of the correspondence course. An aggregate score of 3.2 or higher is required to pass the course.

d. Scores required to pass the Petty Officer Leadership Exams (PO3/PO2/PO1).

(1) PO3 – 60 percent.

(2) PO2 – 60 percent.

(3) PO1 – 63 percent.

e. Cadets must complete an Advanced Training (AT) for advancement to E3 through CPO. Advance Training’s will be listed on the Summer Training Schedule. Cadets who successfully complete an advanced training will be given credit for “one” Advanced Training, regardless of the number of days. Credit for Locally Arranged Training will be discussed below.

f. Cadets may “bank” up to three (3) advanced trainings per year.

g. Cadets recruited early in the school year may not have the opportunity to attend NSCC Recruit Training until after the minimum 3 months time in rate for E2. In this case, unit commanding officers may effect a temporary advancement (E2-T) by an entry on the NSCC/NLCC Administrative Remarks form NSCADM 008. As a result cadets may wear E2 stripes. However stripes will not be worn while attending NSCC Recruit Training unless specifically approved by NHQ, as requested from the RT COTC. The following requirements must be met.

1. Cadets have completed the Basic Military Requirements Course (BMR)

2. Cadets have been enrolled for at least 3 months

h. NLCC Cadets who transfer to the NSCC program may be advanced to E2-T under the following criteria. Unit commanding officers record an entry on the NSCC/NLCC Administrative Remarks form NSCADM 008.

1. A minimum of one year in the NLCC program with no break in service between programs.

2. Successfully completed NLCC Orientation Training scheduled by NHQ.

NOTE: As a motivational tool, former NLCC cadets and highly motivated NSCC cadets who complete the BMR prior to attending NSCC Recruit Training, Time in Rate for E3 starts on the date the cadet is advanced to
E2-T.

**NOTE:
(1) Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA) may be completed at any time after being advanced to E3 but prior to advancement to CPO. (2) The Junior Petty Officer Development (JPD) Course is not a requirement for advancement. (3) The Airman Course may be done in lieu of the Seaman Course when assigned to a Squadron.

2. NSCC Cadet Advancement Procedures. The advancement criteria for NSCC Sea Cadets are referenced above. ALL requirements must be met prior each advancement. The unit commanding officer (CO) is the advancement authority for Sea Cadets from Recruit through the rate of E5 (PO2). Advancements are recorded on the Record for Cadet Advancement NSCADM 009. CO’s may not advance cadets to “acting” or “temporary” E3 or above. MERIT/EARLY advancements are NOT authorized.

a. Advancement Procedures for PO3. Upon completion of the requirements listed below the Unit Commanding Officer may advance the cadet to the rate of PO3.

1. Score a 3.2 or higher on assignments 1 and 2 of the PO3/PO2 Correspondence Course graded by CNET.

2. The PO3 exam may be administered after passing assignments 1 and 2. A passing score of 60 percent or higher on the PO3 exam must be achieved.

3. Complete an Advanced Training (AT) authorized by NHQ.

4. The cadet “must” successfully complete the “entire” PO3/2 Correspondence Course.

5. Meet the minimum time in grade according to the above table.

b. Advancement Procedures for PO2. Upon completion of the requirements listed below the Unit Commanding Officer may advance the cadet to the rate of PO2.

1. Score a 3.2 or higher on the remaining assignments 3 through 5 of the PO3/PO2 Correspondence Course graded by CNET.

2. Receive a passing score of 60 percent or higher on the PO2 exam.

3. Complete an Advanced Training (AT) authorized by NHQ.

4. Meet the minimum time in grade according to the above table.

5. As of 01 SEP 2008 Completion of POLA will be required. (See Action Letter 01-07, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph d)

NOTE : Cadets may choose to complete the entire PO3/2 Correspondence Course and receive an aggregate score of 3.2 before taking the PO3 and PO2 exam.

c. Advancement Procedures for PO1: The Executive Director retains sole authority to advance Sea Cadets to the rate of PO1. Upon receipt of the below documents NHQ will process an Advancement Certificate (NSCADM 026) and a new ID card indicating the new rank of PO1.

1. Cover Letter of Recommendation from unit commanding officer addressing the cadets addressing the cadets abilities, contributions and potential.

2. Record of Cadet Advancement (NSCADM 009).

3. A letter from the NHQ Representative indicating the cadet passed the PO1 exam.

4. A copy of the Certificate of Completion for the PO1 Correspondence Course signed by the CNET representative.

d. Advancement Procedures for CPO: The Executive Director retains sole authority to advance Sea Cadets to the rate of CPO. Upon receipt of the below document NHQ will process and Advancement Certificate (NSCADM 027) and a new ID card indicating the new rank of CPO.

1. Cover Letter of Recommendation from the unit commanding officer addressing the cadets abilities, contributions, and potential.

2. Record of Cadet Advancement (NSCADM 009).

3. Copy of Advancement Certificate to PO1 (NSCADM 026) issued by NHQ.

4. Copy of Completion Certificate for Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA).

5. Copy of Completion Certificate for the CPO Correspondence Course signed by the CNET Representative.

6. As of 01 SEP 2008 as a Staff Cadet at RTC or NLCC Orientation after completion of POLA will be required. (See Action Letter 01-07, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph d)

B. NSCC PO3 through PO1 Advancement Examination Guidelines. The Petty Officer exams are derived from the current Petty Officer Correspondence Courses. Proper accountability of exams and answer keys is the responsibility of the NHQ Representative. (See Action Letter 04-06)

1. NHQ Representative.

a. Maintain accountability of the exams and answer keys.

a . Upon request provide unit commanding officer the appropriate randomly selected “paper test” rate exam.

b. Grade the exam and inform the unit commanding officer in writing of the results. This letter is required documentation when units submit cadets for advancement to Petty Officer First Class. If the cadet does not pass the exam they must wait 30 days. When requested by the unit commanding officer a different version (A, B, C, D) of the applicable exam After 30 days a new randomly selected “paper test” will be forwarded.

c. Destroy the answer sheet. Do not return the answer sheet to the unit.

2. Unit Commanding Officer. Unit commanding officers have the same responsibility as the NHQ Representative as to the proper handling, controlling and safe guarding exam material. Additionally, when administering the exam every effort must be made to maintain and protect the integrity of the exam.

a. Unit commanding officers with “no” computer/internet access within their unit, complete Advancement Examination form NSCTNG 014 and forward to NHQ Representative to request Petty Officer Exams.

b. Notify NHQ Representative of receipt of the exam.

c. Select an appropriate location to administer the exam. This location should afford the cadet adequate lighting and ventilation. If more than one cadet is taking an exam, the location should be large enough to maintain integrity of the exam. (Cadets should not sit next to each other.) The location should be away from the flow of traffic to minimize distractions.

d. As the commanding officer, you may designate someone to proctor the exam. Assign only NSCC Officers or Instructors. Midshipman and Cadets are NOT allowed to proctor exams.

e. Return ALL exam(s) and answer sheet(s) to the NHQ Representative for grading. IF someone accidentally spills something on or writes on the exam, return the exam to the NHQ Representative for handling.

f. Destroy all scrap paper used by the cadet(s) during the exam.

g. Upon notification the cadet has passed the exam; annotate the Cadet Record of Cadet Advancement (NSCADM 009).

3. Exam Proctor.

a. Inform cadets that food; snacks and beverages are not permitted in the exam room. This means NO EATING OR DRINKING throughout the exam.

b. Distribute the exam materials consisting of exam, answer sheet, two pieces of letter size plain white bond paper and two sharpened pencils to each cadet. Instruct cadets DO NOT WRITE ON EXAM!!

c. Inform cadets how to properly complete the answer sheet. Cadets must print clearly. After erasing an answer make sure the new answer chosen is clearly marked.

d. Inform cadet(s) of the time given to complete the exam; i.e., 3, 4, hours. Time from start to completion should be closely monitored, and the as the proctor you should periodically announce the current time and time remaining.

e. Maintain silence and order throughout the period of the exam. Maintaining exam integrity is paramount. Cadets should be directed not to discuss the contents of the exam with anyone outside of the exam room.

f. At the end of the exam period, make sure cadets have put their name on the answer sheet.

g. Collect the answer sheet and all exam material.

h. If proctor is someone other that unit commanding officer, return the all exam material to the unit commanding officer.

i. If the proctor is the unit commanding, follow steps above in paragraph 3-b for handling of completed exams.

C. NLCC Advancement Requirements. The NLCC Training Syllabus is the source document for NLCC cadets. The syllabus contains activities and exams required for advancement. During the summer NLCC Orientation and NLCC Advanced Orientation is available for cadets to attend to augment the syllabus. Although this training is available it is NOT a requirement for advancement. The table below indicates the rate structure for NLCC cadets LC-1 through LC-6. The unit commanding officer is the advancement authority for NLCC cadets through all rates.

D. Adult Advancement Requirements. Adults are required to perform Escort Duty (EO) for a continuous period of 5 days in support of summer or winter training for advancement. Adults are also designated as Commanding Officer of Training Contingent (COTC) for each training evolution. These duties coupled with OPDs; Time-In-Grade and Time-In-Service are requirements for advancement and promotion. See Appendix 2 for guideline chart.