Enlisted sailors who perform well during combat operations may now be promoted for their efforts. The Navy recently created a combat meritorious advancement program that allows commanders to promote sailors in ranks E-1 to E-5 to the next higher paygrade.

The promotions will be for “recognition of uncommon valor and extraordinary deeds demonstrated while engaged in, or in direct support of combat operations,” according to the naval administrative message announcing the program.

Sailors “must display exceptional leadership and performance that clearly distinguishes them from their peers, and is expected of the next higher paygrade,” the message said.

There are certain time-in-paygrade requirements and commanders can promote only a specific number of sailors in each paygrade each quarter.

The Navy already has an early advancement program for deployable units such as ships, aircraft squadrons and Seabee units.

Like the combat program, the advancement program allows commanders to promote a select number of sailors E-5 and below to the next higher paygrade.

Details on the combat meritorious advancement program are available here.

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