Improvements to water distribution, effective and innovative recycling efforts and implementation of a sound Water Management Plan have saved more than 41.6 million gallons of water in the last 18 months. Twice a year, annually for those wanting to make chief petty officer, Sailors gather in drill halls, dining facilities and conference rooms around the fleet to take a rating exam. Four hours and 150 questions later, their futures are sealed by little dots filled in with the infamous No. 2 lead pencils. Rate training manuals are the main source of information. Updated regularly, the correspondence courses are a primary source of the latest information.
Supplemental information is listed in the Bibliography for Advancement.
The answers to some exam questions can only be found in these resources. Some communities are large and rate training manuals are hard to get, so waiting until just before the deadline to complete courses is a bad idea. They may not be available and waivers are rarely given. Order courses as you complete the last one or very soon after you get promoted. Keep ahead of the process so you don't fall behind.