IA Business Rules
Breaking in a new mouse so I’ll comment on this later…
In the meantime:
Fellow Flag Officers,
I want to provide you with the latest IA Sourcing/Notification business rules, developed and coordinated through TFIA, and to solicit your feedback on these guidelines to help us better manage the IA effort for the long fight.
Background: As you may recall from Sonny Masso’s brief at AFOTS, Navy has provided over 46,000 IAs to GWOT operations since FY02. During that period, the RC has provided over 82% of total IAs, the majority of these in mobilized Reserve units. While the Reserves continue to provide the majority of Navy IAs, the percentage of Active Component IAs through the end of 3rd Quarter FY06 now exceeds 41% of total FY06 IAs. The following table provides a snapshot of the magnitude and sources of Navy IAs to date:
AC RC NAVY total
Fy02: 350* 9,934 10,284
Fy03: 435* 11,578 12,013
Fy04: 1,032 3,379 4,411
Fy05: 2,654 7,825 10,479
Fy06: 3,745 5,332 9,077
Total: 8,216 38,048 46,264
*Estimated figures. In FY02/03, AC orders were written by the IA member’s command and not specifically tracked by NPC.
As you can see, our Active Component number is trending up; I project the FY07 IA mission to exceed 10,000.
Here’s where we are on the draft IA Business Rules – a collaborative effort between the various OPNAV N-Codes, CFFC/Fleet Enterprises, CNRC, CNIC, NETC, and NPC:
Responsibilities:
Business Rule Development: Task Force IA (TFIA) has established the initial set of business rules. In order to sunset TFIA, MOU’s between stakeholders will be established to make these enduring processes.
Fleet Forces Command: FFC will assume the function of Global Force Management (GFM) for all IA functions early next year. In that role, they will recommend best AC/RC mix, and direct allocation of requirements among AC Navy budget submitting offices (BSO) utilizing established business rules. FFC GFM will coordinate closely with all major stakeholders and NAVRESFORCOM (NRFC) to ensure maximum commonality between AC and RC IA processes and best practice incorporation.
OPNAV N3/N5: Will coordinate with FFC GFM to conduct IA requirements demand planning reviews at least quarterly to assess Navy’s ability to meet anticipated Joint Task Force (JTF) and Request-For-Force (RFF) requirements for individuals. When these reviews uncover potential redline breaches, N3/N5 and FFC GFM will conduct risk assessments to determine Navy’s ability to meet requirements.
PERS-46: Will produce all IA orders. When FFC GFM assumes sourcing responsibilities, FFC GFM will coordinate with major stakeholders and provide required input for orders for AC sourced requirements and NRFC will provide required inputs for RC sourced requirements to Pers-46 for the production of orders.
Navy Reserve Forces Command (NRFC): Will review Manpower Availability Status (MAS) codes to determine if existing codes are sufficient to definitively establish RC capacity.
Sourcing and Notification business rules:
Sea duty capacity: Sea duty capacity is the number of sea duty personnel above a risk based redline applied by UIC, skill set, and pay band. Redlines are currently set at 90% of P9 BA. FFC GFM in coordination with OPNAV N1 and OPNAV N3/N5 can modify redlines by community and/or UIC when required and/or appropriate to change capacity. Currently excluded from capacity are: Type 3 and 4 sea duty; nuclear trained personnel assigned to CVN, SSN, SSBN, SSGN; SPECWAR assigned to USSOCOM. Personnel excluded from capacity may be available for assignment on a case-by-case basis (see AC assignment rules).
Shore duty capacity: Shore duty capacity is the number of shore duty personnel above a risk based redline applied by UIC, skill set, and pay band. Redlines are currently set at 75% of P9 BA, for units manned by mission, functions tasks documents and 90% of P9 BA for units manned by Fleet manning documents. FFC GFM in coordination with OPNAV N1 and OPNAV N3/N5 can modify redlines by community and/or UIC when required and/or appropriate to change capacity. Currently excluded from capacity are: Type 6 overseas duty; Joint Duty; non distributable manning (students, transients, TPPH); nuclear weapons (security, maintenance) billets; nuclear propulsion coded billets (available for assignment with N133 approval); a portion of MPT&E readiness billets (e.g., critical instructor, recruit division commander billets, and production recruiters). Personnel excluded from capacity may be available for assignment on a case-by-case basis (see AC assignment rules).
RC capacity: RC capacity is the number of RC personnel available for mobilization per current OSD and SECNAV mobilization policies. Personnel in RC units identified for unit level mobilization are excluded from capacity: – FFC GFM will maintain a list of excluded units; High Demand/Low Density (HD/LD) skill sets. Area community managers, where necessary, will propose to NPC and FFC GFM community specific business rules to establish RC capacity in HD/LD skill set area (currently Seabee, NCW, FMF, NAVELSG, SPECWAR, BUMED, CEC, supply, IP, and INTEL).
AC sourcing (allocation determination): The goal is to balance distribution of augmentation requirements equitably, not necessarily equally, to the sourcing BSO/MCA.
Distribution of requirements will be proportional to the BSO/MCA component of the net capacity (“net balance”). Requirements shall be managed by Pers-46 and FFC GFM through the BSO/MCAs. BSO/MCAs will manage their sub-claimants in the same manner. A one time rebalancing of requirements is required due to an imbalance created by the former practice of inventory-based distribution.
Pers-463 will provide BSO/MCAs a list of refill requirements after completion of the rebalancing. We anticipate rebalancing will result in the re-tasking of some refill requirements to new BSO/MCAs. Refills will generally be tasked to the same BSO/MCA as the original to maximize the benefits of advanced planning.
Optimize AC/RC mix:
FFC GFM and OPNAV N3/N5 will review available AC and RC capacity when determining mix construct. AC will normally be considered first. Nature of mission may suggest RC due to potential benefit from civilian job experience; however, involuntary mobilization cannot be based strictly on civilian skill sets.
Community managers may propose, when appropriate, unique AC/RC mix business rules for approval by major stakeholders. AC/RC mix will support sustainment for at least three years for deployable units/personnel (this provides opportunity to grow capacity if necessary through the POM process).
AC assignment business rules:
PRD management: If required, PRDs for personnel selected for an IA tour will be adjusted to the end of the month following the projected month of return. Parent commands will initiate a PRD change request citing the reason: “PRD change required to support Navy GWOT efforts as directed by higher authority.”
Back to Back Deployments: IAs will be afforded six months reprieve between deployments (i.e., if a member is selected from a sea unit, care must be exercised to ensure the member did not just return from a deployment or will return from the assignment to face an immediate deployment). When it appears there is no other viable alternative than to select a member whose GWOT deployment would be inside of six months prior to or following a unit deployment, the case may be referred to the BSO/MCA for waiver consideration.
Nomination Acceptability: E-1 or E-2 Sailors will only be accepted for service in a deploying Navy unit. BSO/MCA is final sourcing authority due to Fleet readiness issues. All by name calls, volunteers, or other selections will be referred to the BSO/MCA. If a by name fill is not agreed to, BSO/MCA will nominate a replacement. If a member submits a retirement request or resignation following verbal notification of an assignment but prior to orders issuance, the Chain of Command should indicate this action on the request.
Professional Development: Detailers and community managers will review IA assignments for professional development concerns once orders are written, retirement requests will not be accepted that would preclude completion of the assignment.
Notification time: If in danger of broaching the 30-day notification limit, at the 35 day point NPC in coordination with FFC GFM may assign the billet to an individual and will give the BSO/MCA two business days to accept or propose an alternative.
Volunteers: All volunteers from commands not included in capacity require command endorsement. Nuclear coded shore billets require OPNAV N133 concurrence prior to assignment.
Exclusions: Personnel within HD/LD skill set units (currently Seabee, NCW, FMF, NAVELSG, SPECWAR, BUMED, CEC, Supply, IP, and Intel) are excluded from “any Petty Officer/any Officer” assignments.
Professional Development: Detailers and community managers will review IA assignments for professional development concerns once orders are written, retirement requests will not be accepted that would preclude completion of the assignment.
RC assignment business rules:
Personnel within HD/LD skill set units (currently Seabee, NCW, FMF, NAVELSG, SPECWAR, BUMED, CEC, Supply, IP, and Intel) are excluded from “any Petty Officer/any Officer” assignments. Personnel serving in reserve units identified for imminent mobilization are not assignable. FFC GFM will maintain and publish a list of these units.
Personnel who affiliate with the NAVY reserve within 6 months of release from active duty qualify for and may request a 12 month deferment from involuntary mobilization, commencing on the date they affiliate with the Navy reserve if they were deployed during the last year of active service. E-1 or E-2 Sailors will only be accepted for service in a deploying NAVY unit.
Timeframes for filling IA requirements: Our objective is to increase notification time for identified IAs from 30 to 60 days and move demand planning from 120 to 180 days before the projected first report date.
Shifts of component: Shift of component source (i.e., AC-to-RC or RC-to-AC) will be treated as a refill not a new requirement. Each time a requirement is sourced, the assigned sourcing component (AC or NRFC) determines if the billet should shift for the next rotation. OPNAV N3/N5 will approve recommendations for change of component and coordinate for sourcing with FFC GFM and NPC for the next rotation. BSO/MCA sourcing process should allow for maximum time to identify right Fit for Fill while meeting notification requirements.
Existing Requirements (Refills): From the time the BSO/MCA receives tasking to refill an existing IA requirement, they have no more than 30 days to provide the nominee to FFC GFM.
New requirements: From the time the BSO/MCA receives tasking for a new IA requirement, they have no more than 14 days to provide the nominee to FFC GFM.
Emergent requirements: Emergent requirements are requirements that are received where the IA selection process is likely to result in delivery of orders to the selected IA less than 30 days prior to the first interim stop report date. Pers-46 in coordination with FFC GFM will assign individuals and notify the applicable BSO/MCA of the selections. The BSO/MCA must approve or nominate a different IA candidate within two business days of such a notification.
Changes to Orders: Once an individual receives orders, significant changes to those orders (greater than 30 day impact on departure from and return to parent unit) will be handled as follows:
If a billet is cancelled less than 30 days from first interim stop, member will have the option to be assigned to another billet provided one is available within rank and skill-set match. Member’s BSO/MCA will identify a new billet assignment, either working from the billets that have been tasked to the BSO/MCA, or coordinating with NPC and FFC GFM to choose from all open billets.
If a billet is cancelled greater than 30 days from first interim stop, the member will not have the option to seek automatic reassignment but can volunteer for a future assignment with a command endorsement.
Increases to billet tour lengths resulting from a billet revalidation will be reflected in subsequent rotations of the billet. Assigned IAs tour completion dates will not be adjusted, except when the extension is directed by SECDEF. BSO/MCAs will keep the IA’s parent command apprised of all ORDMODs.
Preparing alternate IAs: Non-embedded alternate IAs do not receive training in parallel with primary IAs. Embedded alternate IAs do receive training in parallel with primary IAs.
Non-embedded alternate IA: Alternates are not required for 0-5/0-6. Each BSO/MCA will maintain a listing of alternate IAs. Alternate IAs should be fully screened and prepared to deploy within 30 days of the orders notification date. Alternate IAs will be kept on a “tether” by the BSO/MCA until after the deployment of the primary IA. Primary IA assignment notification is via official orders. Alternate IA tethering notification is via email/message to chain of command. This notification will include the expected date of termination of tethering status. Primary IAs and tethered alternate IAs will receive identical Sailor and Family support services. Tethered alternate IAs will be cautioned against taking irreversible actions before receipt of orders (e.g., selling home, terminating lease). After the deployment of the primary IA, the alternate IA will no longer be tethered and will be officially notified of new status via email/message to the chain of command. Additionally, they will be made available for future assignment. If a primary IA “falls-out” prior to deployment, NPC will coordinate with FFC GFM to notify the appropriate BSO/MCA and source the requirement with the tethered alternate IA. The BSO/MCA will notify the tethered alternate IA via email/message to the chain of command advising of impending orders.
Embedded alternate IA: In some cases (normally for In Lieu Of forces(ILO)), alternate IAs may be required to complete en route training in parallel with primary IAs to mitigate the effect of losses of primary IAs prior to deployment. FFC GFM will determine an alternate IA planning factor based on historic fall-out data. The requirement for alternate IAs for ILO forces shall be identified in the tasking order. All embedded alternate IAs will be from the AC. Primary and alternate IAs will attend training together and receive identical Sailor and Family support services. Primary IA fallouts during the training track will be replaced by embedded alternate IAs. Alternate IAs will return to parent command following training and will be fenced from future IA assignment until rotation is complete. Embedded alternate IAs will be used to fill in-theater attrition.
Volunteer IA business rules: Rules are established to allow maximum participation by individuals wanting to volunteer for IA assignment. Volunteers are personnel that request assignment as an augmentee either via the NPC website or in response to a “call for volunteers message” prior to the fill being assigned to their command. Volunteers require command endorsement.
Non-Mission Specific Volunteers: Volunteer via a web application available at Navy knowledge online (www.nko.navy.mil). Volunteering for non-mission specific assignments is limited to a defined time period and requires command endorsement. The database of non-mission specific volunteers will be jointly maintained by NPC and NRFC. Volunteers can remove their name from the non-mission specific list via a request submitted through the chain of command.
Mission Specific Volunteers: Volunteers for mission specific assignments will be identified via a BSO/MCA generated standard “call for volunteers message” when requirements are levied.
HD/LD community volunteers: Personnel from HD/LD communities will not be used for IAs outside of their high demand skill set regardless of volunteer status. FFC GFM in coordination with NPC will develop and maintain agreed upon HD/LD community skill lists.
Based on recent feedback from IA Sailors and Families, we are developing additional sourcing and notification business rules:
Establishment of standard leave periods after completion of training track and prior to deployment based on total length of IA assignment (training period plus boots on ground period).
Use of ITDY orders for 365-day AC IA assignments to fund family moves to areas where more support may be available.
As the IA demand signal continues to grow over the next few years, it is important to standardize these business rules to sustain Navy’s role in the fight and to keep our Sailors and their Families informed. To that end, your views (and those of your staff experts) are important to me and I look forward to receiving them.
I believe TFIA has compiled an equitable and workable set of business rules for sourcing and notifying our Sailors who are selected fo the IA mission and their commands. Work continues on the corresponding efforts for IA Sailor and Family Support, IA readiness/training/equipment and IA “re-entry” for professional and personal development upon return.
All the best and v/r, John
