These  military  requirements  are  called  naval standards. The  advantages  of  developing  your  career  and getting ahead are not yours alone. The Navy also profits. Highly trained personnel are essential to the  functioning  of  the  Navy.  By  each  advance- ment, you increase your value to the Navy in two ways.   First,   you   become   more   valuable   as   a specialist  in  your  own  rating.  And  second,  you become more valuable as a person who can train others and thus make far-reaching contributions to the entire Navy. Many  of  the  rewards  of  the  Navy  life  are earned  through  the  advancement  system.  The basic  ideas  behind  the  system  have  remained  stable for  years,  but  specific  portions  may  change  rather rapidly. It is important that you know the system and follow the changes carefully. One handbook that will normally keep you up to date regarding the   basic   advancement   requirements   is   the Advancement   Handbook   for   Petty   Officers, NAVEDTRA  71365.  The  handbook  outlines  the Navy   Advancement   System   in   general   and provides  you  with  information  about  advance- ment paths, eligibility requirements for advance- ment,  professional  development,  exams,  and exam scoring. It contains naval and occupational standards with their supporting bibliographies and also  personnel  advancement  requirements  (PARS) certification. One of the most useful things you can learn about a subject is how to find out more about it. No   single   publication   can   give   you   all   the information you need to perform the duties and responsibilities  of  the  EA  rating.  You  should learn  where  to  look  for  accurate,  authoritative, up-to-date information on all subjects related to the  naval  and  occupational  standards  of  your rating. Some  publications  are  subject  to  change  or revision   from   time   to   time—some   at   regular intervals, others as the need arises. When using any   publication   that   is   subject   to   change   or revision, be sure that you have the latest edition. When using any publication that is kept current by means of changes, be sure you have a copy in which  all  official  changes  have  been  made. Studying  canceled  or  obsolete  information  will  not help you to do your work or to advance; it is likely to be a waste of time and may even be seriously misleading. PERSONNEL  READINESS CAPABILITY   PROGRAM The Personnel Readiness Capability Program (PRCP)  provides  a  standard  means  of  identifying, collecting,  processing,  and  utilizing  information on all members of the Naval Construction Force, both active and reserve. This information can be used  by  all  levels  of  management  and  supervision to   determine   a   unit’s   readiness   capability   by comparing it to actual or planned requirements. The  majority  of  PRCP  information  consists of   an   inventory   of   individual   skills   acquired through  formal  or  on-the-job  training.  A  record of these skills, combined with other data from the service record, such as expiration of enlistment, rotation  data,  and  so  forth,  provides  a  ready means   of   predicting   future   capabilities   and requirements.   Some   of   these   may   be   the following: a.  Construction  and  military  capabilities b.  Personnel,  logistics,  and  training  require- ments c.  Berthing,  messing,  and  housing  require- ments d.   Contingency   requirements Your initial PRCP skill inventory will be based upon  an  interview  with  your  crew/squad  leader or  another  senior  petty  officer  of  your  rating. Special  PRCP  Interviewer’s  Standards  and  Guides have been prepared to assist persons conducting interviews.   Each   “Guide”   contains   a   detailed explanation of every skill identified in the PRCP. These  definitions  are  standard  throughout  the entire Naval Construction Force, and any person, regardless of duty assignment, can turn to these standards and know what is expected in a given skill area. During an interview, it is imperative that you discuss  your  capabilities  openly  and  honestly. Remember,  if  you  exaggerate,  you  may  be depriving  yourself  of  valuable  and  needed training. Then too, you may be the one selected to  do  that  special  job  all  on  your  own.  Will  you be  ready? A  more  detailed  discussion  of  the  Personnel Readiness  Capability  Program  may  be  found  in chapter   2   of  Engineering   Aid   1   &   C, NAVEDTRA   10635-C. 16-13