FITNESS REPORTS

1. FITNESS REPORTS

2. Fitness Reports • Single most important personnel management tool - impacts all personnel decisions. • Performance documentation from entry to separation - continuity. • Performance is everything! Make the best of every situation. • Boards select based on the written record - the written record IS the individual.

3. Fitness Reports Narratives • Do not write a job description in block 41- already in block 29. • State performance with outcomes and metrics. • Does the narrative match the grades? • Is there a written promotion recommendation? • If you have questions/concerns regarding your FITREP, discuss with reporting senior before signing.

4. Fitness Reports Narratives • Reporting Seniors must clarify marks/also break out MP and P officers if large groups. • Forced distribution. “My #1 MP, would have been EP but ranked against highly competitive senior officers”. • “My #1 LCDR out of 25 of all designators” • Headquarters commands—large pool of “stars”—comments especially important. • Reporting Seniors should clarify any “blanket command policies regarding ranking” in the narrative (i.e. newly promoted officers do not receive “EP” rankings).

5. Fitness Reports Sample Narrative Format • Short opening statement – Breakout! • #3 of 15 LCDRs regardless of designator (esp. if 1/1 billet) • “If not for forced distribution and being junior LT…” White space • Several bullets with most important listed first • Cause and effect (impact) bullets White space • Closing statement with promotion recommendation. • Command recommendation if up for CAPT. • Statement is critical when serving in 1/1 assignment. EP marking is not a stand alone if the narrative is weak/marginal.

6. Fitness Reports Other Important Blocks • Block 29: 14 character/space primary job abbreviation—use your leadership role, e.g., Director, DH, etc. rather than specialty. • Include job scope - # of people supervised, budget oversight if applicable (optional for operational billets). • Block 40: Don’t leave blank! Milestones should be consistent with rank and specialty. Be realistic—don’t recommend a brand new O-4 for MTF CO.

7. Fitness Reports • Don’t repeat bullets from previous fitness reports—each FITREP should present new material. If each FITREP sounds the same during a tour, it doesn’t show growth and development—can be a negative factor. • Be smart and know the BUPERSINST 1610.10A—don’t depend on others to know it. It is your career, manage it.

8. Fitness Reports Detailer perspective when reviewing Failure to Select (FOS) Fitness Reports: - Narratives - not written for impact, too technical, job descriptions rather than performance, no demonstrated growth or increasing responsibility, no further job/promotion recommendations, stock comments or phases—not meaningful comments, and too much repetition from report to report. - Did not break out from the pack either in EP or MP ratings or in the narrative. - Accomplishments/contributions as a Naval officer, MSC officer, and a professional--must be addressed in the narrative.

9. Fitness Reports Summary • Performance, performance, performance! • Diversity of assignments and responsibilities. • Remember – no specialty-specific jargon…write so ALL board members will understand • Write cause and effect bullets • Not just a list of what you did; emphasize IMPORTANCE of accomplishments • Lastly, do spell check—sounds like a no-brainer but it happens and it reflects poorly on both the command and the officer………