2015 is set to be a big year for sailors.
Four new uniforms will be decided upon. Physical Fitness Assessment changes are on the table. And advancement rates are projected to rise.
Sailors will start moving aboard the future aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, while fleet flattops sail on 10-month deployments. Navy leaders hope to bring the standard deployment down to seven months by 2016, unless massive sequestration cuts derail that plan later in 2015.
The fleet bids farewell to the last 10 frigates, as three more littoral combat ships enter service.
Female officers will report to attack subs for the first time, and officials will make a much anticipated decision on whether to integrate the Navy SEALs.
The Pentagon is getting a new boss as the brass weighs far reaching changes to the retirement system.
The Navy will get a new chief of naval operations, who will have to navigate budget cuts and help the force balance the heavy demands for ships, squadrons and subs from the bustling Asia-Pacific to the tensions in the Persian Gulf and now in Europe, where allies look to the U.S. Navy to counterbalance Russian threats.
The things you need to know for the new year:
ADVANCEMENT RATES ON THE UPSWING
AVIATION MILESTONES
DEPLOYMENTS
FITNESS TEST CHANGES
ONE RATING'S GROWTH
FEMALE SEALS?
YOUR NEXT CNO
NEW UNIFORMS
