The Department of Defense has approved the Navy’s request to increase tour lengths for first-term sailors heading to the forward deployed naval forces.

The move, which is effective immediately, was announced on May 1 and applies only to initial sea duty tours in Japan, Guam and Spain.

Navy officials told Navy Times in February that shorter sea duty tours overseas have led to constant turnover and gaps in billets on forward-deployed ships.

Manning issues were identified as impacting readiness in the two separate Navy reviews of the fatal collisions involving the destroyers Fitzgerald and McCain.

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In February, the Navy offered perks for all FDNF sailors — regardless of whether they were first-term or not — who would volunteer to extend current tours.

Under that offer, sailors approved for a one-year extension are eligible to receive either additional pay of $80 per month, a 30-day R&R leave of absence during the extension or 15-days R&R and round-trip transportation at the government’s expense to the United States.

For more details on these perks and how to apply, see NavAdmin 042/18.

About Mark D. Faram

Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.

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