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CVN 77: First Class Factory

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080611-12
Release Date: 6/11/2008 11:21:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dominique J. Moore, Pre-Commissioning Unit George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- For the past two Navy advancement cycles, Fall 2007 and Spring 2008, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) has promoted twice as many first class petty officers than the fleet average.

Last fall, PCU Bush promoted 49 Sailors to first class petty officer for a promotion percentage of 29.2 percent, doubling the fleet average of 13.6 percent. In this recent spring cycle, PCU Bush did it again, promoting 47 Sailors for a 24 percent promotion rate, again doubling the fleet average of 11.9 percent.

Recently frocked Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Nekeia R. Borders, an 11-year U.S. Navy veteran, took the test four times before being selected for petty officer first class.

"I screamed when I found out because I was so excited," Borders said. "People in my office thought it was an emergency and came running."

Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW/SW) Dennis D. Taylor led a team of chief petty officers who instructed classes twice weekly covering the Professional Military Knowledge (PMK) references listed on each bibliography.

For the first class petty officer exam, there are 80 PMK questions out of the total 200 questions. Taylor's team offered more than 60 hours of intense instruction.

A bibliography is a study reference that is given to all Sailors up for advancement which consists of all the information projected to be on the test and where it is located.

Many of PCU Bush's Sailors, including Borders, who attended the chiefs' classes said they found the classes to be very useful.

"Our chiefs taught me to carry notes with me and study every chance I get. This helped me out a lot," Borders said.

With the Fall 2008 cycle just around the corner, people are beginning to take advantage of the time they have to prepare. PCU Bush chiefs are scheduling their classes to resume in July and run through August for the September 2008 exams.

For more news from Pre-Commissioning Unit George H.W. Bush, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.