(1) Promotion of duly qualified sailors as Commissioned Officers of the Branch List shall be made by the Chief of the Naval Staff by selection from the roster of eligible sailors.
(2) All candidates for Branch Rank must pass the prescribed examinations and must possess the other qualifications which are specified below.
(3) The character of all candidates must be such as would, if continued, qualify them for the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The award at any time of a character inferior to “Good” will disqualify a sailor.
The particulars of candidates who are considered exceptionally deserving or who have distinguished themselves by meritorious or special services but who have not attained the requisite standard of character, may be submitted to the Chief of the Naval Staff, for consideration.
(4) A report on form I. N. 708, specified in Appendix III shall be rendered on 31st May and 30th November to the Chief of the Naval Staff, through the Captain, Naval Barracks (Drafting Office), in respect of candidates for Branch Rank as indicated in sub-regulation (7).
If, however, the candidates become fully eligible as indicated in sub-regulation (7) prior to 31st May or 30th November, a report on form I. N. 708 is to be rendered on them without waiting for the half-yearly reports.
(5) Reports on form I. N. 708 shall also be rendered on the sailors when they leave ships or establishments, in addition to those rendered half-yearly.
Sections I to IV and Section VI form I. N. 708 are not to be completed unless the candidate has served for at least 3 months in a ship. Where no recommendation is made, the words “under 3 months” are to be inserted on the form. On the first occasion of a candidate being recommended for Branch Rank, a notation of the fact shall be made on his Service Certificate and a copy of his Service Certificate and of the Trade History Sheet, where applicable, shall accompany the first return on the form.
If a candidate is not recommended, a report shall never the less be rendered, the reasons for his non-recommendation being briefly stated.
(6) A separate form shall be used for each candidate.
(7) The reports shall be rendered on form I. N. 708 and shall commence, as indicated in the following table: - Branch Rank When to commence Commissioned Gunner After passing the educational Commissioned Gunner Torpedo and Anti-Submarine test and the examination in Seamanship Commissioned Boatswain for Branch Rank.
Commissioned Boatswain (Diving) Commissioned Boatswain (Plotter Radar) Commissioned Physical Training Officer Commissioned Communication Officer After Passing the educational test and And the preliminary professionally For Yeoman of Signals or Petty Officer Telegraphist.
Commissioned Master – Art –Arms After Passing the educational test and the Commissioned Airman preliminary professional examination.
Commissioned Bandmaster Commissioned Shipwright Officer After passing the educational test and the Commissioned Engineer professional examination.
Commissioned Ordnance Engineer Commissioned Air Engineer Commissioned Electrical Officer (Power) After passing the educational test and (Radio) (Air Electrical) (Air Radio) preliminary professional examination.
Commissioned Wardmaster After passing the educational test Commissioned Writer Officer and the professional examination.
Commissioned Stores Officer Commissioned Stores Officer (Catering)
(8) If a candidate for Branch Rank should misconduct himself in a manner which would disqualify him for the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, his misconduct shall be reported individually to the Chief of the Naval Staff through the Captain, Naval Barracks (Drafting Office), to whom form I N 708 “half-yearly report of candidates for Branch Rank” is forwarded and his name shall be removed from the roster for promotion.
If a candidate is found unsuitable for promotion, this fact shall also be reported to the Chief of the Naval Staff through the Captain, Naval Barracks (Drafting Office), whether or not he has previously been recommended.
(9) Before a candidate for Branch Rank is discharged to undergo qualifying courses for promotion to Branch Rank, he shall be medically examined in the ship or establishment in which he is serving, and a certificate that he is in all respects physically fit shall be forwarded to the Captain of the establishment in which the courses are to be held. All candidates shall be medically examined before promotion to Branch Rank and such promotions will be dependant on medical fitness.
(10) A candidate for branch Rank may be given the acting rank on promotion. At the expiration of one year’s service, an acting commissioned officer of the Branch List may be confirmed in his rank provided his conduct and qualifications have been satisfactory and he is recommended by his Commanding Officer. This recommendation shall not be forwarded until the officer has completed one year in the acting rank. His seniority shall reckon from the date of his acting appointment. An acting commissioned officer of the Branch List who is invalided before completing one year’s service as such, may, at the discretion of the Chief of the Naval Staff, be confirmed in his rank before retirement, provided his record is satisfactory.
An acting commissioned officer of the Branch List, who, on completion of one year’s service as such is not recommended for confirmation in his rank, for reasons of unsuitability, inefficiency or misconduct, may be given the option of discharge from the service or reversion to the lower deck. In the event of reversion, he shall revert to the Chief Petty Officer’s rank unless his reversion is due to misconduct or inefficiency in which case the time served as acting capacity shall count as time in the rate held prior to appointment as Acting Commissioned officer of the branch list.
(11) To be eligible for confirmation in rank, an acting Commissioned Gunner, an acting Commissioned Gunner (Torpedo & Anti-Submarine), an acting Commissioned Boatswain, an acting Commissioned Boatswain (Diving) and an acting Commissioned Boatswain (Plotter Radar) shall also be required to be in possession of a watch-keeping certificate certifying that he has kept watch at sea and in harbour under a commissioned officer and has a sound knowledge of the duets of the Officer of the Watch, including measures necessary for the safely of the ship.
(12) To eligible for confirmation in rank, an acting Branch Rank Officer shall also be required to pass a Divisional Course.