In March 2020, the Navy Advancement Center (NAC) conducted a PMK-EE Advancement Examination Readiness Review (AERR) in Pensacola to review and update exam questions and bibliographies.
“We gathered Fleet Subject Matter Experts (FSMEs) from across the Navy to ensure that rating advancement and promotion eligibility exams were valid and that the bank item content was current, relevant, and correct,” said NAC PMK-EE Team Leader Doc Wallach, Ph.D.
Numerous references were also updated to match current policy, programs, standards and recent modernizations to Navy systems and processes.
“PMK-EE is now more current, relevant, valid, and incorporates Sailor 2025 initiatives,” said Wallach.
In addition to the content update, Sailors will see increased functionality with version 2.7.3.
“Sailors will find the improved app to be more user-friendly,” said Wallach. “It will also save progress as Sailors complete each module and provide completion certificates directly to the Sailor’s records.”
It is recommended that Sailors continue to save their completion certificates electronically as a backup, said Wallach.
In order for Sailors to get the latest version of the PMK-EE mobile app, Sailors must download the update onto their mobile device.
“It’s important to note that current course completions will not be affected, and Sailors will not need to repeat already completed courses now that the new content is released,” said Wallach. “That said, if they are in the middle of a module and have not yet completed it, say 15 out of 20 questions, it will not save that progress in the new version of the app.”
PMK-EE still consists of 100 questions spread across five sections: Career Information, Leadership and Character, Naval Heritage, Professionalism, and Warfighting and Readiness.
“Sailors must take and pass the exam once per pay grade in order to advance to the next-higher pay grade,” said Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) Command Master Chief Gregory Prichard. “Failure to complete the PMK-EE by the established deadline will result in the Sailor being ineligible to advance.”
The current advancement eligibility deadlines for PMK-EE completion are outlined in NAVADMIN 201/20:
- January AD/FTS E7 NWAE cycle – prior to Dec. 1 of the previous year
- February SELRES E4/5/6/7 NWAE cycle – prior to Jan. 1 of the same year
- March AD/FTS E4/5/6 NWAE cycle – prior to Feb. 1 of the same year
- August SELRES E4/5/6 NWAE cycle – prior to Jul. 1 of the same year
- September AD/FTS E4/5/6 NWAE cycle - prior to Aug. 1 of the same year
The mobile app update took several months to complete and included the combined efforts of multiple entities to include NETPDC, PMW-240, Tracen Tech, and the Navy Training Management and Planning System (NTMPS) team.
As part of the MyNavy HR Force Development team, NETPDC provides products and services that enable and enhance education, training, career development, and personnel advancement throughout the Navy. Primary elements of the command include the Voluntary Education Department, the Navy Advancement Center and the Resources Management Department.
Additional information about NETPDC can be found at https://www.netc.navy.mil/netc/netpdc/Default.html.
Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.
Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.
Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.
Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.
Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.
Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.
Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.