Robotics Warfare Specialist Rating Conversion Fact Sheet POC

Robotics Warfare Specialist Rating Conversion Fact Sheet

POC : RWCM Christopher Rambert/RWCOMMGR.FCT@Navy.mil

March 2024

BLUF

NAVADMIN 036/24 announces the establishment of the Robotics Warfare Specialist Rating (RW). RW Sailors will

serve as operators, maintainers, and managers who plan and control operations of robotic systems.

Who needs to know?

 Active Duty and Selected Reserves (SELRES) Sailors

 Command Career Counselors

 Triads

What you need to know – key points

 Sailors will retain special pay following conversion if they continue to have the same responsibility as their

previous rating and an Exception to Policy (ETP) is submitted by their command

 The first active duty RW Navy-wide advancement exams will begin in the fall of 2024.

 Rating conversions will be accepted on a rolling basis, but there are cutoff dates for the Navy-wide active duty

RW advancement exam.

 Sailors will be released to the RW community upon completing their current assignment if they are not already

serving in a converted billet.

Sample POD/POW Notes

 Are you interested in being part of the future of warfighting? The Navy announced the establishment of the

Robotics Warfare Specialist Rating (RW). Sailors interested in submitting a cross-rating application should

review NAVADMIN 036/24 and contact the RW ECM.

FAQ

Q. What does a conversion application look like?

A. Sailors can submit a request to convert through the C-Way application process outlined in MILPERSMAN 1440-010.

Q. When will Sailors begin taking RW Navy Wide Advancement Exams?

A. The first active duty RW Navy-wide advancement exams will begin in the fall of 2024. The active E-5 and E-6 exams

will be given in September 2024. The active E-7 exam will be offered in January 2025.

Q. When will Sailors be released to the RW community?

A. Sailors will be released to the RW community upon completing their current assignment if they are not already serving

in a converted billet.

Q. Is there a Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB)?

A. Currently, there is no SRB for RW. Sailors who were authorized a SRB and have started to receive it in their parent

rating will continue to receive their SRB payouts.

Q. Is there any special pay, such as sub or flight pay?

A. Currently, there is no special pay for RW Sailors. RW Sailors may qualify for sub or sea pay when supporting specific

missions.

Q. What if I am already receiving special pay? Will I be able to keep it?

A. The Navy will support retention of any special pay provided that Sailors who convert continue to

have the same responsibility as their previous rating and an Exception to Policy (ETP) is submitted

by their command. For example, if a Sailor was getting flight pay or SDAP as a UUV operator, they

would continue to receive it if they continue to do the same job. If a Sailor converts and their job

duties change, then they are not meeting the intent of SDAP or flight pay and the ETP request would likely be

recommended for disapproval.

Q. What are the requirements for SELRES conversion to RW?

A. SELRES specific requirements and conversion and advancement dates will be published at a later date.

Q. When are the first RW advancement exams?

A. The first Navy-wide active duty RW advancement exams will be as follows:

 E-5 and E-6 (Active Duty) – September 2024 (Cycle 264)

 E-7 (Active Duty) – January 2025 (Cycle 266)

The following is the first E-7 and E-8/E-9 RW selection/screening board schedule:

 E-8 and E-9 (Active Duty): March 2025 (FY26 Board)

 E-7 (Active Duty): July 2025 (FY26 Board)

All Sailors that have successfully screened to compete for a higher paygrade billet in the Senior Enlisted Marketplace will

have the remaining portion of the two-year screened status honored in the RW rating. Sailors that have been selected for

advancement but have not yet incremented will be accessed into the RW rating at the higher paygrade.

Q. When will conversion packages be accepted?

A. The RW rating will not be established in Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) until July 2024. Until

then, the RW Enlisted Community Managers will coordinate with commands on Sailors selected for conversion to RW.

Initially, to align with the first E-5/6/7 exam cycles and E-8/9 selection board eligibility timelines, Active Duty Sailors

competing for advancement in the Navy-wide advancement exam cycles will be converted to RW within the timelines

listed below:

 September 2024 (Cycle 264)

E-5 and E-6 (Active Duty) – 25 March to 4 April 2024

 January 2025 (Cycle 266)

E-7 (Active Duty) – 22 July to 1 August 2024

 FY-26 Spring 2025 (Cycle 265)

E-7 and E-8 (Active Duty) – 26 August to 5 September 2024

Q. What should be included in a conversion package?

A. Sailors should include a completed EPAR 1306/7, their last three evaluations, command history, PRIMS report, and

list of awarded NECs.