PERSONNEL  ADVANCEMENT  REQUIRE- MENTS (PARS).—PARS are skills and abilities that can  best  be  demonstrated  (shown)  by  actual performance.  Generally,  each  PAR  contains  one  or more OCCSTDs on the same or similar subject and is written  in  on-the-job  rating  language.  PARs  aren’t competitive; that is, no mark is assigned. Completion indicates that you can perform the tasks. C o m p l e t i o n    o f    PA R s    i s    m a n d a t o r y    f o r advancement.  Commands  should  make  sure  you complete  PARs  before  you  are  recommended  for advancement.  Because  of  limitations  in  command equipment, mission, and operations, you may not be able  to  demonstrate  all  PARs.  In  that  case,  actual demonstration  of  ability  isn’t  mandatory.  However, your being recommended for advancement must be based on the command being satisfied that you have the necessary  ability  to  perform  properly  at  the  higher paygrade  at  the  present  command  and  at  other commands. PARs are not designed to replace other qualification programs,  such  as  PQS.  However,  PAR  items  that duplicate “sign off” items in other programs can be signed off as PAR items if they have already been signed off under any other program. PARs and BIBS are available in electronic format from: NETPDTC Web Site: Get PARS, www.cnet.navy.mil/netpdtc Streamlined Automated Logistics Transmission System (SALTS), www.salts.navy.mil BIBLIOGRAPHY  (BIB)  FOR  ADVANCE- MENT-IN-RATE  EXAM  STUDY.—The  BIB  is developed by exam writers (chief petty officers) to help Sailors  study  for  advancement-in-rate  examinations. The BIB is a list of references that includes training courses (TRAMANs/NRTCs), instructions, technical manuals,  guides,  and  other  publications  commonly used in a rating. BIBs are posted (issued) three times a year and are only available in electronic format. You can find the BIB at  the  same  Internet  addresses  as  the  PARs.  The E-4/E-5/E-6 BIBs are posted in March and September; and E-7 BIBs are posted in July. The BIBs posted in March are for the exam given the following September; the BIBs posted in September are for the exam given the following March. TRAINING  MANUAL  INFORMATION.— Training manuals (TRAMANs) and their associated nonresident training courses (NRTCs) are prepared as self-study packages to help you develop the knowledge required for your rating. You may also use them when preparing to take an advancement examination. The information  in  some  TRAMANs  is  considered mandatory. You  must  complete  certain  courses  (mandatory courses) to meet advancement eligibility requirements. For example, if you’re going up for E-3 and didn’t attend the Apprenticeship Training Program (ATP), you must complete Basic Military Requirements (BMR) and either the Airman (AN), Fireman (FN), or Seaman (SN) (depending on your rate) TRAMANs. If you graduated from the ATP, you have satisfied the requirement for completion  of  the    AN,    FN,  or    SN    apprenticeship TRAMAN. However, you still must complete the BMR. Remember, you are responsible for the information in training manuals concerning the rating in which you wish to be advanced and the appropriate apprenticeship and general rate training manuals. C O M M A N D I N G O F F I C E R ’ S ( C O ’ S ) RECOMMENDATION.—This  eligibility  require- ment is, perhaps, the most important of all. For your CO to recommend you for advancement, he/she must be satisfied that you are fully qualified for advancement. To  a  great  extent,  your  CO  relies  on  the recommendations  of  the  people  in  the  chain  of command  to  decide  if  you  are  fully  qualified  for advancement.  Your  supervisor  constantly  evaluates your performance to see if you can handle the duties and responsibilities of an advancement. In addition, your CO can add requirements to the eligibility requirements shown here. These additional requirements should be met for you to receive your CO’s recommendation. Check with your supervisor or personnel  office  to  see  if  your  command  has  local requirements. ADDITIONAL  ELIGIBILITY  REQUIRE- MENTS.—In addition to the eligibility requirements 16-6 Student Notes: