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Masso Provides IA and GSA Updates at Surface Navy Association Symposium

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080116-15
Release Date: 1/16/2008 3:31:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Trevor Andersen, Navy Personnel Command Communications

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel spoke to members of the Surface Navy Association (SNA) Jan. 16, about the road ahead as the Navy transitions individual augmentees (IA) assignments to Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Support Assignments (GSA).

In his speech at the SNA's 20th annual national symposium, in Arlington, Va., Rear Adm. Sonny Masso discussed the significant improvements the Navy has made in fulfilling IA requirements for the GWOT.

"Through GSA detailing we will improve the predictability of GWOT assignments for our Sailors and their families, better enable volunteerism, improve manning stability at the unit level and add detailer involvement for professional development and career progression," said Masso.

GSA detailing increases predictability by allowing Sailors to negotiate eight or 14-month PCS orders to an Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) for a follow-on assignment in support of GWOT. GSA folds the GWOT requirements into the normal PCS distribution process so the Navy can avoid pulling a Sailor in the middle of their tour.

In an effort to encourage volunteerism, Sailors who take a GSA orders over for over 365 days receive coast selection preference following their tour and priority on choice of follow on duty assignments and location.

NAVADMIN 336/07 Administration of the Navy-wide Advancement Exam for Sailors in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn Of Africa announced unique advancement guidance for Sailors in serving in those regions which includes automatic E-7 selection board eligibility for time-in rate and command endorsed eligible E-6s. Sailors may also earn extra points for advancement and special pay while serving on an IA or GSA.

GSA detailing has improved on the previous IA system by including centralized support services and advocacy for families through the ECRC while their Sailor is deployed. Sailors may move their dependents to San Diego or Norfolk or let them stay at their current permanent duty station during the GSA.

"The GSA process helps Sailors engage with their detailers to serve these tours of duty when it best fits their needs and the needs of their families. We want to reduce the need to pull Sailors from other assignments mid-tour in order to fill an IA," said Masso.

To date, nearly 1,000 Sailors have applied for orders under GSA. GSA billets are currently available on Career Management System-Interactive Detailing (CMS-ID), the program enlisted Sailors use to apply for orders. The Web address is https://www.cmsid.navy.mil.

Billets are listed under the category code 90GS. Officers should contact their detailer directly for information on GSA billets.

More guidance is available in NAVADMINs 002/08 Individual Augmentee Manpower Management Business Rules and 003/08 GSA Detailing Business Rules at www.npc.navy.mil.

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/npc/.