Award ceremony highlights busy day for Navy Reserve

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kevin Chandler
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  The Navy Operational Support Center Moreno Valley hummed with activity Sunday as reservists tested for promotion in the morning and held an awards formation in the afternoon. The highlight of the day was the presentation of the Colonel Millett Unit Excellence Award to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Detachment B.

From 8 to 11 a.m., the majority of the 600 assigned reservists tested for promotion to the next pay grade. Naval reservists test for promotion to grades E-4 through E-7 twice a year, said executive officer Lt. Ed Giron. The Sailors' test scores and performance reviews are compiled to create a ranked list for each pay grade and job specialty. To even be considered eligible for promotion testing, Sailors must pass their fitness test and have solid performance evaluations. The Navy then decides how many Sailors to promote based on needs within the fleet.

"If the Navy only needs 200 Sailors in a rate, only 200 promote," explained NOSC commanding officer Cmdr. Dan Burns.

According to Petty Officer 1st Class Bradley Hurshey, educational services officer, approximately 25 to 30 percent of those testing progressed to the next rank last year. He expects this year's promotion rate to be similar, meaning some Sailors will have to start hitting the books to be ready for the next round of testing in August.

Once the stress of testing passed, the reservists gathered to recognize the NOSC's out standing performers, culminating with the presentation of the unit's top award, the Colonel Millett Unit Excellence Award.

The award, named for the local Medal of Honor recipient who passed away Nov. 14, honors the unit exhibiting the greatest level of mobilization readiness.

Lieutenant Giron explained the scoring is based on training, medical readiness, administration and overall professionalism.

"It recognizes the performance of the unit that outshines the rest," he said.

Commander Burns agreed, pointing out that with the many demands put on reservists, maintaining high levels of readiness is particularly impressive.

The winning unit, CBMU 303, Det B, not only maintained superior mobilization readiness, but also excelled while providing support to active-duty units in the fleet and completed a Habitat for Humanity project in the local community.