Reviewed July 31, 2026. NAVADMIN 168/26 gives the current September 2026 Cycle 272 guidance for Active-Duty and Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) E5 and E6 Navy-Wide Advancement Exams (NWAEs) and Rating Knowledge Exams (RKEs). Use this as an early self-check before your command finalizes the Enlisted Advancement Worksheet (EAW).
1. Confirm whether you are in the RKE or NWAE path
NAVADMIN 168/26 says several Active-Duty E5 ratings and most Active-Duty E6 ratings are in the Billet Based Advancement (BBA) framework. Sailors in that framework take an RKE and follow the BBA path. Non-BBA Active-Duty and TAR Sailors take the NWAE and compete through the legacy advancement process. Start by asking your chain of command or Educational Services Officer (ESO) which path applies to your rating and status.
2. Put the Cycle 272 dates on your calendar
| Item | Cycle 272 date |
|---|---|
| PMK-EE completion deadline | July 31, 2026 |
| E6 ILDC completion deadline | August 31, 2026 |
| E6 exam administration | September 3, 2026 |
| E5 exam administration | September 10, 2026 |
| Authorized rescheduled administration, if approved | No later than September 30, 2026 |
The NAVADMIN says EAWs close one week after the exam date on the worksheet. Do not treat that close date as your personal deadline; commands need time to verify, correct, and finalize the worksheet.
3. Review the EAW before it is locked
MyNavyHR states that the electronic EAW in NSIPS is the official worksheet. NAVADMIN 168/26 calls the EAW the authoritative source of data used to determine Cycle 272 eligibility. Check the worksheet for rating path, paygrade, PMK-EE status, ELD or ILDC status where applicable, evaluations, awards, education points, security clearance if required, High-Year Tenure or waiver status, and any command-entered comments.
4. Verify eligibility items that commonly cause problems
- PMK-EE: NAVADMIN 168/26 says PMK-EE remains mandatory once per paygrade for E5 and E6 cycle participation, with waivers normally not approved except for extraordinary circumstances.
- E6 ILDC: The same NAVADMIN says ILDC completion is mandatory for all E6 candidates and is due August 31, 2026.
- TIR/TED: NWAE candidates use a Terminal Eligibility Date of January 1, 2027. The NAVADMIN lists minimum TIR dates of January 1, 2024 for E6 and January 1, 2026 for E5. It also says RKE candidates have no minimum TIR requirement, but must have a CO/OIC periodic or frocking evaluation with an advancement recommendation.
- Clearance: Ratings listed in the NAVADMIN that require a clearance must have the applicable adjudication or CO/OIC interim clearance dated before September 1, 2026.
- PMA: Confirm the evaluation periods used for PMA or RSCA PMA match the cycle guidance and the Advancement Manual.
5. Fix discrepancies through the official route
If the worksheet is stale or missing current ELD information, the MyNavyHR Advancement page says the EAW can be refreshed by checking the Refresh EAW box under Refresh Options and saving after applicable edits. Once worksheets are closed, NAVADMIN 168/26 says discrepancies may be handled through the Post-exam Administration Comment (PAC) process. Corrections require supporting documentation, and education-point corrections require the Joint Service Transcript degree-awarded page showing degree type and completion date.
6. Save the profile-sheet follow-up for results
NAVADMIN 168/26 says NWAE and RKE results will be available through NEAS profile sheets, and exam profile data is posted in NSIPS one week after Fleet release of NEAS profile sheets. For Sailors in BBA ratings, profile sheets only show Passed Not Advanced, Fail, Inval, or discrepancy status because advancement is handled through A2P and CA2P.
Official sources
- NAVADMIN 168/26 - September 2026 Cycle 272 Active-Duty and TAR E5/E6 NWAE/RKE guidance
- BUPERSINST 1430.16H - Advancement Manual for Enlisted Personnel of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve
- MyNavyHR - Enlisted Advancement Worksheet (EAW)
- MyNavyHR - Advancement
AxoNNexa is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of the Navy. This article is general administrative guidance based on official public sources; verify current requirements with MyNavyHR, your command, and your ESO.
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