The PACT Program

Prior to the development of the PACT program, the Navy relied upon the General Detail (GENDET) program to provide flexibility in filling gaps the School Guarantee (SG) program may have not manned effectively. The GENDET program was basically a "fire and forget missile" -- the applicant would join the Navy as a GENDET as either an Airman, Fireman, or Seaman Apprentice, and after boot-camp and a four week apprenticeship school, they would be assigned to various commands around the fleet. Once on board their new command, the hope was that they would receive guidance and assistance from their new command career counselor and chain of command to "strike" into a rating they enjoyed working in that was in the apprenticeship they enlisted. Sometimes, it worked, most times it did not. The GENDET program lacked time lines and fixed expectations. The GENDET program, and rightfully so, became the program that applicants to the Navy would try and avoid like the plague.

Effective June 1, 2018, PACT Sailors will be designated based on their selection of a prioritized job in a rating for which they are qualified. Twelve months prior to the projected rotation date (PRD) of the PACT Sailor, they may begin the designation and assignment selection process. As outlined in MILPERSMAN 1306-611, PACT Sailor PRDs are set at 24 months from arrival at their first permanent duty station.

Enlisted Community Managers (ECM), working closely with detailers and command career counselors (CCC), will begin designating PACT Sailors starting with those who have been in the PACT program the longest. Commands will continue to use the Career Waypoints-PACT (C-WAY-PACT) Designation module for applications. The use of C-WAY as a means for PACT designation will be phased out over time as an updated Information Technology (IT) solution will be implemented using Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS-ID). Until an IT solution is fully implemented, ECMs will continue to retrieve PACT designation applications from C-WAY and will directly interface with commands, PACT Sailors and detailers.

PACT Sailors willing to obligate service to complete the sea tour for their new rating, or a minimum 24 months of additional sea time, whichever is greater, may be authorized immediate advancement to E4 with commanding officer approval.

The PACT program has addressed the deficiencies of the old GENDET program. PACT, much like the old GENDET program, provides male and female applicants a United States Navy enlistment without guaranteed Navy Class “A” School assignment.

PACT is designed to enlist Sailors into a monitored general apprenticeship program that provides apprentice level formal training and on the job training leading to a viable career field within two years on board their first permanent duty station.

According to NAVADMIN 199/15, effective 31 August 2015, all PACT Sailors, regardless of pay grade, must have a minimum of 12 months time on board their permanent duty station (PDS) to be eligible to submit a PACT designation application.

Additionally, applicants guaranteed the PACT Program are subject to having their apprenticeship career track changed if, and only if, during recruit classification, they request and are eligible for a Navy Class “A” School that is available.

PACT has a three year enlistment requirement. Once the Sailor finishes boot-camp, then they will attend the core apprenticeship training program for the pipeline they enlisted, either Seaman Professional Apprentice, Aviation Professional Apprentice, or Engineering Professional Apprentice.

Note: if currently a Future Sailor in the Delayed Entry Program, and you are reclassified into the PACT program from another program or rating, the minimum enlistment remains four years -- for further information, contact your recruiter.

The Navy's computerized personnel system associates the rating name with an alphanumeric Navy Navy Enlisted Manning Code (EMC). For Seaman, the EMC is D140; for Engineering, D120; for Airman, J090.

Navy PACT Program Matrix [1]

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM	ASVAB		NCP	NSI	USCIT
AIRMAN PROFESSIONAL	AR+AS+MK+VE≥161		Yes	No	No
			NH	SCE	VIS
			Yes	Yes	Yes
ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL	ASVAB		NCP	NSI	USCIT
	AR+MK+MC+VE≥185 -OR- AR+AS+MK+VE≥180		Yes	No	No
			NH	SCE	VIS
			Yes	No	No
SEAMAN PROFESSIONAL	ASVAB		NCP	NSI	USCIT
	VE+AR≥80		Yes	No	No
			NH	SCE	VIS
			No	Yes	No

• VIS = Vision must correct to 20/20. When specified, uncorrected visual acuity must not be greater than 20/100, and must be correctable to 20/20.
• NCP = Normal Color Perception. Must correctly identify 12 of 14 plates during PIP test or pass FALANT.
• NH = Normal Hearing. Defined as PULHES Code of “1” under the Hearing Section “H” of the MEPS physical.
• NSI = No Speech Impediment.
• SCE = Must be eligible for Security Clearance. Permanent Resident Aliens may be classified into PACT Program only if SCE in all other aspects and will be expected to obtain US Citizenship while on Active duty at the earliest opportunity. This applies only to PACT.
• USCIT = U.S. Citizenship required.

PACT Homeport Guarantee Program

The PACT Homeport Guarantee Program has been discontinued as of May 2017.

The program provides enlistees in the PACT Program guaranteed assignment to one of six homeports upon successful completion of Recruit and Apprenticeship Training. The homeports are geographical area guarantees rather than specific locations and are subject to availability. PACT homeport choices are:

• Norfolk
• San Diego
• Jacksonville/Mayport
• Pacific Northwest
• Hawaii
• Japan

Note: Applicants with pre-service conduct waivers (drug, alcohol, or criminal) are disqualified from overseas assignment, including Hawaii, for their first duty station. No exceptions.

Page written and maintained by NCCM Thomas Goering, USN (Retired).

If you are seeking information about joining the Navy, feel free to contact me.