By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) LaTunya Howard, Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The Navy's Total Force fleet career counselors and Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) hosted a training conference in Millington, Tenn., Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.

The Navy Counselor (NC) Professional Training Planning Conference drew 20 fleet and force NCs, as well as senior NC leadership, who discussed career topics including what the fleet is saying about Perform-to-Serve (PTS) and Fleet Rating Identification Engine (RIDE).

"Commands are reporting much higher application numbers since the October (2010) merger of PTS/Fleet RIDE," said Master Chief Navy Counselor (SW/AW) Pollyanna Neely, fleet NC, Navy Total Force.

According to Neely, the most appreciated feature to the merged program is the automatic running of Fleet RIDE on each Sailor to determine what ratings the Sailor's ASVAB scores and other factors will qualify him or her for.

"The daily interaction between Sailors and counselors is the cornerstone for completion of the command mission," said Neely.

During the conference, NC leadership utilized their time to establish a standard format for future career counseling training and plan updates to career development instructions and requirements.

"The conference was designated as our annual review and update to Navy Operation Instruction 1040, enlisted retention and Career Development Program and Naval Military Personnel Manual article 1440-020," said Master Chief Navy Counselor (SW/AW) Tom Albert, NC technical advisor, BUPERS.

The proposed plans were directed as courses-of-action for fleet and force level training, as well as for the 2011 Navy Counselor Association Symposium to be held in Dallas.

In addition to the PTS/Fleet RIDE merger, official military personnel files and NC conversions were topics covered due to fleet-wide interest and feedback.

"This mid-year conference was comprised of decision makers," said Albert. "Updates and changes were proposed for the NC conversion requirements to align with the experience and expectations needed to succeed as a NC today."

For more career information from Navy Personnel Command, visit http://www.npc.navy.mil/CareerInfo/CMC_CCC/, call the customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672) or email your questions to CSCMailbox@navy.mil.

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.