Navy Announces RC to AC Program for Reservists to Pursue Active Duty Careers

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120910-01
9/10/2012

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy is establishing a new augmentation program that will offer enlisted Reservists opportunities to convert to permanent active duty careers, as outlined in NAVADMIN 274/12, released September 9.

The Reserve Component to Active Component (RC to AC) augmentation program seeks to place qualified enlisted reserve members in specific rates and year groups to fill active community needs in the fleet.

Once released from their Reserve obligations and assigned to their new billets, RC to AC participants will become active duty Sailors in every respect, including being eligible for AC advancement, permanent change of station orders, and selective reenlistment bonus eligibility.

"The active Navy needs Sailors with talent and experience, and the Navy Reserve is a great place to find them," said Rear Adm. Anthony Kurta, director of military personnel plans and policy. "Through this program, we're aiming to leverage our Reserve Sailors' skill sets and experience to place select reserve Sailors in needed billets in the Fleet."

As part of the Navy's Continuum of Service initiative, the RC to AC program is designed to streamline Sailors' transition between Reserve and active service. Additionally, the RC to AC program complements the variety of initiatives Navy uses to fill needed operational billets, enabling Navy to manage its force so it is best prepared to meet current and future warfighting needs.

To improve the efficiency of Reserve to active conversions, the RC to AC program changes the application process.

Rather than meet with a recruiter to discuss active duty prospects, interested Reservists can apply to Navy Personnel Command (PERS-92) through his or her unit and Naval Reserve Activity commanding officer in response to advertised vacancies with specific proficiency, year-group and other requirements. Vacancies will be advertised via the GovDelivery system, and will specify available augmentation quotas by rate and year group. Reservists can sign up for GovDelivery notifications through the Navy Reserve Forces Command homepage at www.navyreserve.navy.mil.

Quotas and advertised vacancies will be reviewed regularly and updated based on needs of the Fleet.

Selections are made by AC enlisted community managers, who will consider each applicant's performance history, experience, proficiency, and time in grade. Sailors must also meet the eligibility criteria outlined in MILPERSMAN article 1326-021, including in-rate proficiency and physical and medical readiness requirements. Additionally, Sailors must be within the advertised year group and not within two years of their AC High Year Tenure (HYT) dates based upon their active duty service date.

Once selected, a Sailor will be given the opportunity to negotiate for a billet based on the needs of the Navy and his or her preferences. Orders to the new billet will include a projected rotation date and authorization for permanent change of station expenses, if appropriate.

To learn more about the RC to AC program, Sailors may speak with their chain of command, read the NAVADMIN and MILPERSMAN article at www.npc.navy.mil, or call the NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC, (1-866-827-5672) or e-mail at CSCMailbox@navy.mil.