Commissioned Gunner, Commissioned Gunner (Torpedo & Anti-Submarine). Commissioned Boatswain, Commissioned Boatswain (Diving), Commissioned Boatswain (Plotter Radar) and Commissioned Physical Training Officer. – (1) To be eligible for promotion, a candidate must:
(a) be not more than 37 years of age on the date of promotion; this age limit may be relaxed by the Chief of the Naval Staff upto a maximum of one year in exceptional cases;
(b) Be a Petty Officer or an acting Petty Officer with not less than one year’s service in the actual performance of the duties of such sailors;
© have qualified in the prescribed course of instruction.
(2) Before a candidate is selected to undergo the prescribed course referred to in clause © sub- Regulation (1)he must:
(a) be qualified under Regulation 181.
(b) Be qualified for advancement to acting Petty Officer;
(c) have passed the educational test for Branch Rank;
(d) have passed the seamanship examination for Branch Rank. Prior to taking the seamanship examination a candidate will be required to produce a certificate to the effect that he is in all respects medically fit. This examination is to be held by a Board to be constituted under the authority of the Chief of the Naval Staff;
(e) have qualified in the Radar Plotting 1st class specialist qualification course, if a candidate for Commissioned Boatswain (Plotter Radar).
(f) be a Diver-I qualified in deep sea diving if a candidate for Commissioned Boatswain (Diving).
(3) On passing the seamanship examination for Branch Rank, a candidate’s name shall be placed on a roster for selection to undergo the course referred to in clause © sub-regulation (1).
The date of passing of candidates examined during the six monthly periods ending 31st May or 30th November shall be regarded as 31st May or 30th November respectively. The order on the roster shall be determined by those dates, the relative order in each half-yearly batch determined by seniority as sailor on that date.
(4) The educational test may be taken either before or after the seamanship examination, but a candidate who has not passed this test before passing is seamanship examination shall be required to do so within 3 years of the date of passing in seamanship examination. If he does not do so, his name shall be removed from the roster. A candidate whose name has been so removed, and who subsequently passes the educational test, may have his name replaced on the roster, but his position thereon shall be determined by the date of passing the latter examination.
(5) Before taking the seamanship examination, a candidate must:
(a) be either a Petty Officer or a leading rate passed professionally for Petty Officer who holds a certificate from his Captain that he has a reasonable chance of passing the examination.
(b) Have served for 4 years in sea-going ship, the actual period being stated on his certificate of passing seamanship examination;
(c) State whether he elects to qualify for Commissioned Gunner, Commissioned Gunner (Torpedo & Anti-Submarine), Commissioned Boatswain commissioned Boadswain (Diving), Commissioned Boadswain (Plotter Radar) or Commissioned Physical Training Officer. The election made by a candidate on passing the seamanship examination for Branch Rank as to the branch in which he desires to qualify for promotion shall, as a general rule, be regarded as final; but transfers to the other branches may be allowed at the discretion of the Chief of the Naval Staff according to the requirements of the Service. The position on the roster of a candidate for under going the qualifying course who has been transferred from the roster of another rank, will be determined by the date of his transfer.
(6) Candidates who satisfy all the requirements of Sub-regulation (1) may be considered for promotion to Branch Rank.
(7) A candidate for the Branch Rank who fails in the prescribed qualifying course may, on the expiry of 2 years from the date of failure, be allowed a further opportunity to qualify, if still otherwise eligible, and may be given his original position on the course roster, provided he satisfies the following conditions: -
(a) Recommended for a further trial by the Captain of the ship or establishment concerned, and
(b) Continuously recommended for Branch Rank under Regulation 181.
If accepted for the course, he shall be required to take all the courses and examination and on qualifying he may be considered for promotion along with other eligible sailors.
(8) Candidates qualified for Commissioned Gunner, Commissioned Gunner (Torpedo & Anti- Submarine) Commissioned Boatswain, Commissioned Boatswain3 (Diving), Commissioned Boatswain (Plotter Radar) and Commissioned Physical Training Officer shall be sent to sea as soon as possible, candidates holding the rank of Leading Seaman being given the rating of acting Petty Officer immediately on completion of the qualifying courses.
(9) A leading Seaman given the rank of acting Petty Officer may be confirmed as Petty Officer at the expiration of 12 months if recommended in all respects for Branch Rank. If not so recommended, or if found unsuitable for Branch Rank at any time before the expiration of 12 months, he shall revert to his substantive rate, being eligible for subsequent advancement to Petty Officer rate in the ordinary course.
183. Promotion as commissioned Communication Officer. (1) A Candidate to be eligible for promotion, as a Commissioned Communication Officer must –
(a) be not more than 37 years of age on the date of promotion; provided that the Chief of the Naval Staff may relax the age limit up to a maximum of one year in exceptional cases;
(b) have qualified in the prescribed course of instruction.
(2) Before a candidate is selected to undergo the course referred to in clause (b) of subregulation (1), he must:
(a) be qualified under Regulation 181;
(b) have not less than 2 years service as Leading Signalman or Leading Telegraphist or as Leading Signalman and Yeoman of Signals combined, or as Leading Telegraphist and Petty Officer Telegrphist combined:
(c) have passed professionally for Yeoman of Signals or Petty Officer Telegraphist.
(d) Have passed the educational test for Branch.
(3) In forwarding the half-yearly recommendations, the recommending officer shall pay particular attention to a candidate’s administrative ability, and power of exercising control over his department and the men under his orders.
(4) Candidates shall be selected to undergo the prescribed course from or roster of eligible men, due regard being paid to recommendation, service qualification and seniority.
(5) Candidates who satisfy all the requirements of sub-regulation (1) may be considered for promotion to Branch Rank.
(6) Before promotion to Branch Rank, a candidate must have served one year at sea as Yeoman of Signals or Petty Officer Telegraphist. A Leading Signalman or Leading Telegraphist shall be granted, after the qualifying course, the rank of Acting Yeoman of Signals or Acting Petty Officer Telegraphist in sufficient time to ensure his having served in that capacity for a year before his turn of promotion is expected.
(7) A candidate for the Branch Rank who fails in the prescribed qualifying course may, on the expiry of 2 years from the date of failure, be allowed a further opportunity to qualify if still otherwise eligible and may be given his original position on the course roster, provided he satisfies the following conditions: -
(a) Recommended for a further trial by the Captain of the ship or establishment concerned, and
(b) continuously recommended for Branch Rank under Regulation 181.
If accepted for the course, he shall be required to take all the courses and examination and on qualifying he may be considered for promotion along with other eligible sailors.