R 240300Z APR 07 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// UNCLAS //N01300// NAVADMIN 102/07 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/APR// SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF NAVAL EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TECHNICIAN CRITICAL SKILLS RETENTION BONUS PROGRAM// RMKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN ANNOUNCES THE NAVAL EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL CRITICAL SKILLS RETENTION BONUS (EOD CSRB) FOR QUALIFIED MASTER EOD TECHNICIANS (NAVY ENLISTED CLASSIFICATION (NEC) 5337) AND IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. THIS NEW RETENTION BONUS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF NAVY S OVERARCHING EFFORT TO SIZE, SHAPE, STABILIZE THE FORCE AND ENCOURAGE SAILORS TO STAY NAVY. 2. PROGRAM OVERVIEW. THE EOD CSRB IS INITIALLY TARGETED TO E-7 THROUGH E-9 QUALIFIED MASTER EOD TECHNICIANS (NEC 5337) SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST 19 BUT LESS THAN 25 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE. A. QUALIFIED MASTER EOD TECHNICIANS WILL RECEIVE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $150,000 FOR A SIX-YEAR ACTIVE DUTY OBLIGATION. SEE PARA 7 FOR DETAILS ON PAYMENT AMOUNTS AND REQUIRED SERVICE COMMITMENTS. THE MINIMUM CONTRACT LENGTH IS TWO YEARS EXCEPT AS NOTED BELOW IN PARA 3. ELIGIBLE PERSONNEL MAY ENTER INTO SUCCESSIVE EOD CSRB CONTRACTS NOT TO EXCEED 25 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE. UNDER CURRENT DOD GUIDANCE, A MEMBER MAY RECEIVE A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF $200,000 IN CSRB/SRB PAYMENTS OVER AN ENLISTED CAREER. B. MEMBERS WHO REENLISTED BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS EOD CSRB PROGRAM WILL COMPLETE THE TERM OF THEIR EXISTING CONTRACT BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR AN EOD CSRB. C. COMMANDING OFFICERS SHALL ENCOURAGE QUALIFIED MASTER EOD TECHNICIANS (NEC 5337) TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR EOD CSRB AND MUST ENDORSE ALL REQUESTS IN WRITING. COMMANDS MUST ENSURE APPLICATIONS ARE ACCURATE AND VERIFY APPLICANTS MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE NO PENDING ACTIONS WHICH MAY RENDER AN APPLICANT INELIGIBLE FOR EOD CSRB. 3. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE OBLIGATIONS. APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE THE TERM OF THEIR EXISTING CONTRACT BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR AN EOD CSRB. APPLICANTS MUST ALSO COMPLETE AN EOD CSRB CONTRACT BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR A SUBSEQUENT EOD CSRB. A. EOD CSRB APPLICATIONS, AS OUTLINED IN PARA 6, MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE PROGRAM MANAGER 30 TO 120 DAYS PRIOR TO ATTAINING 19 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE. B. REENLISTMENTS SHALL BE FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS AND SHALL BE IN WHOLE YEAR INCREMENTS. AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE MINIMUM TWO- YEAR CONTRACT, MEMBERS WITH 24 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MAY BE OFFERED A PRORATED CSRB CONTRACT UP TO 25 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE (IN THIS CASE THE ADDITIONAL ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE OCCURING AFTER COMPLETION OF 24 YEARS OF SERVICE UP TO 25 YEARS OF SERVICE WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE EOD CSRB CALCULATION). MEMBERS WITH 24 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE HAVE THE OPTION OF EITHER: (1) REENLISTING FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS AND BE PAID FOR ONLY THE PORTION OF TIME SERVED PRIOR TO COMPLETING 25 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY OR; (2) EXTEND THEIR ENLISTMENT TO COVER THE EOD CSRB PERIOD PROVIDED THE MEMBER MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF MILPERSMAN 1160-040 FOR CONDITIONAL EXTENSIONS. 4. ELIGIBILITY. APPLICANTS MUST BE QUALIFIED MASTER EOD TECHNICIANS (NEC 5337) AND MEET THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: A. BE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE REGULAR COMPONENT (FTS PERSONNEL ARE INELIGIBLE FOR EOD CSRB); B. BE IN PAY GRADE E-7 OR ABOVE; C. WILL HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST 19 BUT LESS THAN 25 YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE AS OF THE MEMBER S CURRENT END OF ACTIVE OBLIGATED SERVICE (EAOS) DATE; D. BE ELIGIBLE TO REENLIST OR EXTEND THEIR ENLISTMENT FOR TWO OR MORE YEARS IN THE REGULAR NAVY (SEE PARA 3 FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE MINIMUM TWO-YEAR REQUIREMENT). E. HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR AN OFFICER PROCUREMENT PROGRAM. F. HAVE THE COMMANDING OFFICER S FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION FOR RECEIPT OF EOD CSRB. 5. PROGRAM EXECUTION A. SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE EOD ENLISTED COMMUNITY MANAGER (PERS-4011D7) USING THE FORMAT IN PARA 6 WITHIN 30 TO 120 DAYS OF THE DESIRED REENLISTMENT DATE TO ENSURE TIMELY PROCESSING. B. COMNAVPERSCOM (PERS-4011D7) IS DESIGNATED AS THE EOD CSRB PROGRAM MANAGER AND IS DELEGATED THE AUTHORITY TO: (1) EVALUATE THE ELIGIBILITY OF EOD TECHNICIAN AGREEMENTS TO REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR THE STATED PERIOD IN EXCHANGE FOR AN EOD CSRB; (2) ACCEPT EOD CSRB AGREEMENTS TO REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR THE STATED PERIOD IN EXCHANGE FOR AN EOD CSRB; (3) APPROVE EOD CSRB SERVICE AGREEMENTS, CONDUCT PAYMENT PROCESSING, AND PROGRAM TRACKING; AND (4) ADMINISTER THE EOD CSRB PROGRAM PER APPLICABLE LAWS, DOD DIRECTIVES, DOD INSTRUCTIONS, AND THIS NAVADMIN. C. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE-YEAR CONTRACTS, MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE 50 PERCENT OF THE CSRB AWARD AMOUNT AT THE TIME OF REENLISTMENT AND THE REMAINING 50 PERCENT WILL BE PAID IN EQUAL ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS EACH OCTOBER OVER THE CONTRACT PERIOD. FOR EXAMPLE, A SIX-YEAR REENLISTMENT CONTRACT WOULD HAVE ONE LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF 50 PERCENT AND FIVE ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS. CONTRACTS FOR ONE-YEAR OR LESS WILL RECEIVE ONE LUMP SUM PAYMENT. D. IF THE FINAL YEAR OF A TWO-THROUGH SIX-YEAR EOD CSRB SERVICE AGREEMENT CANNOT BE COMPLETED BEFORE AN ELIGIBLE MEMBER COMPLETES 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, THEN THE FINAL YEAR SHALL BE PAID AT A PRO-RATED AMOUNT FOR EVERY MONTH UP TO 25 YEARS OF SERVICE. E. UPON ACCEPTANCE OF A MEMBER S AGREEMENT BY THE PROGRAM MANAGER, THE AMOUNT OF THE BONUS BECOMES FIXED AND THE MEMBER INCURS A FIRM SERVICE OBLIGATION. F. CSRB REQUESTS FOR PERSONNEL WHO ARE BEING PROCESSED FOR NEC REMOVAL OR RESTORATION WILL BE HELD IN ABEYANCE PENDING FINAL RESOLUTION OF THE ACTION IN QUESTION. 6. APPLICATION PROCESS A. ELIGIBLE MASTER EOD TECHNICIANS MAY APPLY FOR EOD CSRB VIA THEIR COMMANDING OFFICER. SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO: COMMANDER, NAVY PERSONNEL COMMAND ATTN: PERS-4011D7C 5720 INTEGRITY DRIVE MILLINGTON, TN 38055-4160 B. SUBMISSION OF SIGNED ORIGINAL APPLICATIONS AND CO ENDORSEMENTS ARE REQUIRED, BUT ADVANCE COPIES OF APPLICATIONS FOR EOD CSRB MAY BE FAXED TO THE EOD COMMUNITY MANAGER AT (901) 874- 2987/DSN 882. C. EOD CSRB PAYMENTS WILL BE AUTHORIZED UPON VERIFICATION OF THE MEMBER S EXECUTED REENLISTMENT CONTRACT FOR THE TERMS REQUESTED IN THE EOD CSRB APPLICATION. D. SAMPLE APPLICATION FORMAT FOR EOD CSRB FOLLOWS: *************************BEGIN FORMAT*************************** 7220 DATE FROM: (RATE, ELIGIBLE SERVICE MEMBER S NAME, USN, SSN) TO: COMMANDER, NAVY PERSONNEL COMMAND (PERS-4011D7) VIA: (CHAIN OF COMMAND) SUBJ: REQUEST FOR FY-07 NAVAL EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TECHNICIAN CRITICAL SKILLS RETENTION BONUS (EOD CSRB) REF: (A) 37 U.S.C. 323 (B) NAVADMIN XXX/07 EOD CSRB PROGRAM 1. I HEREBY APPLY FOR THE CRITICAL SKILLS RETENTION BONUS AUTHORIZED BY REFERENCES (A) AND (B). I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO THE PROVISIONS OF REFERENCE (B) INCLUDING ALL PROVISIONS RELATING TO RECOUPMENT OF PAYMENTS TO BE MADE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH RECOUPMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF SUMS PAID IS REQUIRED PER TITLE 37, U.S.C., SECTION 303A(E). I ALSO CERTIFY THAT I MEET ALL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN REFERENCE (B). 2. CONTINGENT UPON ACCEPTANCE OF MY APPLICATION FOR THIS BONUS, I AGREE TO REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY AS A MASTER EOD TECHNICIAN FOR (ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, OR SIX) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ACCEPTANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. I UNDERSTAND I AM NOT ELIGIBLE TO REQUEST REMOVAL OF MASTER EOD TECHNICIAN (NEC 5337) DESIGNATION. I FURTHER AGREE NOT TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR RETIREMENT WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE THAT IS PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF MY EOD CSRB AGREEMENT. 3. I UNDERSTAND THAT RECOUPMENT OF THE UNEARNED PORTION OF THE CRITICAL SKILLS RETENTION BONUS IS REQUIRED ON A PRO-RATA BASIS PER TITLE 37, U.S.C., SECTION 303A(E), IF I FAIL TO MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY OR FAIL TO COMPLETE THE FULL CONTRACTUAL PERIOD OF OBLIGATED MILITARY SERVICE OF THIS AGREEMENT EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: A. SEPARATION BY OPERATION OF LAWS OR BY OPERATION OF MILITARY SERVICE OR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE POLICIES. B. DEATH OR DISABILITY WHICH IS NOT THE RESULT OF MISCONDUCT, WILLFUL NEGLECT, AND NOT INCURRED DURING A PERIOD OF UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE. 4. I ALSO UNDERSTAND MY ACCEPTED APPLICATION IS BINDING AND I WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE (NOTE 1) IN SPECIAL PAY AS DESCRIBED IN REFERENCES (A) AND (B). 5. ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING MY APPLICATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO: DSN/COMM PHONE NUMBER: (###) ###-####, OR E-MAIL ADDRESS: XXX.XXXX(AT)NAVY.MIL. (SIGNATURE) TYPED NAME ***************************END FORMAT*************************** NOTE 1: ENTER RATE OF $150,000 FOR A SIX-YEAR CONTRACT; $120,000 FOR A FIVE- YEAR CONTRACT; $80,000 FOR A FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT; $60,000 FOR A THREE- YEAR CONTRACT; $40,000 FOR A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT; AND $20,000 FOR A ONE- YEAR CONTRACT. 7. BONUS AMOUNTS A. EOD CSRB TERMS AND AMOUNTS ARE: YEARS OF ADDITIONAL SERVICE TOTAL PAYMENT SIX $150,000 FIVE $120,000 FOUR $80,000 THREE $60,000 TWO $40,000 ONE $20,000 (NOTE 2) NOTE 2: ONLY MEMBERS WITH 24 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE 8. RECOUPMENT AND REPAYMENT POLICY A. EOD CSRB PAYMENTS WILL BE STOPPED FOR MEMBERS WHO BECOME INELIGIBLE FOR THIS INCENTIVE OR FAIL TO COMPLETE THE FULL PERIOD OF ADDITIONAL OBLIGATED SERVICE PER TITLE 37, U.S.C, SECTION 303A(E). SERVICE MEMBERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE UNITED STATES THE PERCENTAGE OF THE BONUS REPRESENTING THE UNEXPIRED PORTION OF THE OBLIGATED SERVICE UNDER THE EOD CSRB. SITUATIONS REQUIRING RECOUPMENT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: (1) APPROVED REQUEST FOR VOLUNTARY RELEASE FROM WRITTEN AGREEMENT IF, DUE TO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS DETERMINED BY COMNAVPERSCOM (PERS-4011D7) SUCH RELEASE WOULD BE CLEARLY IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF BOTH THE NAVY AND SERVICE MEMBER CONCERNED; (2) REFUSAL TO ACCEPT ORDERS TO AN EOD BILLET COMMENSURATE WITH THE MEMBER S PAY GRADE; (3) APPROVED VOLUNTARY REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF MASTER EOD TECHNICIAN DESIGNATION (NEC 5337); (4) DISABILITY RESULTING FROM MISCONDUCT, WILLFUL NEGLECT, OR INCURRED DURING A PERIOD OF UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE; (5) DISCHARGED FOR PARENTHOOD OR OTHER REASONS AS DETERMINED BY HIGHER AUTHORITY; (6) SEPARATION FOR CAUSE, INCLUDING MISCONDUCT. (7) INVOLUNTARY REMOVAL OF MASTER EOD TECHNICIAN DESIGNATION (NEC 5337); (8) SEPARATION BY REASON OF WEIGHT CONTROL AND/OR PHYSICAL READINESS TEST FAILURE; AND (9) SELECTION FOR, AND ACCEPTANCE TO, A PROGRAM LEADING TO A COMMISSION OR WARRANT APPOINTMENT. ANY UNPAID PORTION OF THE BONUS IS SUSPENDED AND SHALL TERMINATE ON COMMISSIONING OR APPOINTMENT; ANY UNPAID PORTION OF THE BONUS SHALL BE PAID ON A PRO-RATA BASIS IF THE SERVICE MEMBER IS NOT COMMISSIONED OR APPOINTED AND RETURNS TO AN ENLISTED STATUS IN THE SAME BONUS SKILL. B. IF A SERVICE MEMBER BECOMES INELIGIBLE FOR EOD CSRB FOR ANY OF THE REASONS BELOW, PAYMENTS WILL STOP, BUT RECOUPMENT OF PAYMENTS ALREADY RECEIVED WILL NOT BE REQUIRED: (1) DISABILITY, INJURY, OR ILLNESS NOT THE RESULT OF MISCONDUCT OR WILLFUL NEGLECT, OR NOT INCURRED DURING A PERIOD OF UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE. (2) SEPARATION FROM NAVAL SERVICE BY OPERATION OF LAWS OR REGULATIONS INDEPENDENT OF MISCONDUCT. (3) DEATH (SEE PARA 8C BELOW). (4) WHERE SECNAV DETERMINES REPAYMENT WOULD BE AGAINST EQUITY AND GOOD CONSCIENCE, OR WOULD BE CONTRARY TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES. C. FOR SERVICE MEMBERS WHO DIE BEFORE RECEIVING THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE BONUS DUE (INCLUDING CONTRACTED FUTURE YEAR ANNIVERSARY PAYMENTS) AND DEATH IS NOT CAUSED BY THE MEMBER S MISCONDUCT, THE REMAINING EOD CSRB UNPAID BONUS BALANCE IS PAYABLE AS A LUMP SUM FOR INCLUSION IN THE SETTLEMENT OF THE DECEASED MEMBER S FINAL MILITARY PAY ACCOUNT. IF DEATH IS DETERMINED TO BE THE RESULT OF THE MEMBER S OWN MISCONDUCT, TERMINATION OF FUTURE PAYMENTS AND PRORATION OR RECOUPMENT OF THE BONUS, AS APPLICABLE, WILL BE MADE PER PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED FOR MEMBERS WHOSE INABILITY TO COMPLETE A CONTRACTED PERIOD OF SERVICE IS VOLUNTARY OR THE RESULT OF MISCONDUCT. 9. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND UPDATES REGARDING THE EOD CSRB PROGRAM ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BUPERS WEBSITE: WWW.NPC.NAVY.MIL/ENLISTED/COMMUNITYMANAGERS/SPECIALWARFARE/EOD. 10. POINT OF CONTACT: EODCM (EWS/SW) SIEGEL, EOD ENLISTED COMMUNITY MANAGER/TECHNICAL ADVISOR, (901) 874-2827/DSN 882 OR EMAIL AT JOHN.SIEGEL(AT)NAVY.MIL. 11. RELEASED BY VADM J. C. HARVEY, JR., N1.// BT NNNN