E5 Evaluations are Coming Up — Here is what you must know

E5 Evaluations are just around the corner. As per BUPERS INST 1610.10D they are scheduled to be completed and signed not later than March 15. After they are signed each command has 30 days to debrief them and submit the signed Petty Officer Evaluations to BUPERS.

Since your Navy Evaluation must go through your LPO, your Chief, your Division Officer, then be boarded by the Chiefs Mess this means that your Chief or LPO will probably start asking for them a month or two months prior to March 15.

In order to be ready, and get the best Evaluation markings possible here is what you need to know.

12-4 months Prior:
Most Evaluation rankings are based on three things: How are you doing in your primary job? are you taking any extra collateral duties or extra jobs? And are you a good sailor and staying out of trouble? If you are doing well on all three counts you have little to worry about. However; if you are doing poorly in your primary job, don’t have any collateral duties, or are getting into trouble being 12-4 months out from your Evaluation gives you enough time to turn things around.

Open up your Brag Sheet and start updating things. As you volunteer for projects, do exceptionally well on an inspection or get a BZ on a task note it in your brag sheet. It will keep you from forgetting.

2-3 Months Prior:
While your chain of command may not yet be asking for your Eval or Brag Sheet yet now is the time to start working on them. Most people let their Eval catch them buy surprise, don’t let this happen to you. . Plan ahead and be ready to present your LPO or Chief with a good product.

1-2 Months Prior:
Four to Eight weeks prior to the required signing date is generally the time period your Bragsheet and Draft Eval is due to your LPO or Chief. Your LPO/Chief/Division Officer generally have a few weeks to review before they are boarded by your Command Master Chief with all the Chiefs. This means that its not just your LPO and Chief that you need to impress. Rather it is all the Chiefs in your command that will be voting on your Navy Eval. Be sure none of them have reason to give you low marks.

How to be Debriefed
Most people have no idea how to be debriefed. They generally quickly look over their Navy Eval, get a few positive words from their Chief, sign the Eval and go on with their day. For a document that is so critical to your career this is a poor strategy, below are a few things you must check:

Dates: Verify your dates of the last Evaluation and the current Evaluation match up exactly; if not this will create problems with your record down the line.

Recommended next Assignment: You want something more challenging that what you are doing now.

Promotion recommendation: Ideally you should be progressing from Promotable to Must Promote to Early Promote. Not progressing or moving backwards is a red flag that you need to ask about.

Additionally, if you are serious about your career you need to be armed with a few questions. Be sure to show your Chief you are serious about the Navy and Serious about getting better. Ask some of the below questions.

•  How could I do better next time?
• What would you suggest for improvement?
•  What additional responsibilities could I take on?
• I would like to do _______ in the Navy; What steps can I take to do that?
• Would you suggest I apply for an Officer program?
• What can I do to get an Early Promote recommendation next time?

If you disagree with your Evaluation and Want to Submit a Statement?
First of all do not become argumentative or bring up you issues during the debrief. Simply thank your debriefer for his/her time and request a few days to review your Navy Eval before signing. By instruction, you have up to 5 days after debriefing before submitting a statement. Review the instructions, talk to your mentor and consider carefully if you wish to make a statement. I’ve never seen a statement make a real difference in someone’s record.