job   may   call   for   skills   that   none   of   your personnel   have.    These  and  similar  problems require that you be a training specialist who can conduct training programs and train individuals and  groups  in  executing  their  tasks. You  will  have  increasing  responsibilities  for working  with  others.  As  you  advance  to  HM  1 and then to HMC, you will find that many of your plans   and   decisions   affect   a   large   number   of people,  including  some  who  are  not  members  of the  Medical  Department.  It  is  therefore  im- portant  that  you  understand  the  duties  and responsibilities   of   personnel   in   other   ratings, especially  those  with  whom  you  have  interdepart- mental dealings. Every petty officer in the Navy is  a  technical  specialist  in  his  or  her  own  field. Learn  as  much  as  you  can  about  the  work  of others   so   that   it   will   fit   in   with   the   overall mission  of  the  organization. As your responsibilities increase, your ability to  communicate  clearly  and  effectively  must also increase. The basic requirement for effective communication   is   a   knowledge   of   your   own language.  Use  correct  language  in  speaking  or writing. Remember that the basic purpose of all communication is understanding. To lead, super- vise,  and  train  others,  you  must  be  able  to communicate  in  such  a  way  that  others  can understand  exactly  what  you  mean. A   second   requirement   for   effective   com- munication  in  the  Navy  is  a  knowledge  of  the Navy way of saying things. Some Navy terms have been  standardized  to  ensure  communication. When  a  situation  calls  for  the  use  of  standard Navy  terminology,  use  it. Another requirement of effective communica- tion is precision in the use of technical terms. A command  of  the  technical  language  peculiar  to the  Medical  Department  allows  you  to  receive  and convey  information  accurately  and  to  exchange ideas  with  others.  Persons  who  do  not  understand the  meaning  of  terms  used  in  connection  with the  work  of  their  own  rating  are  at  a  dis- advantage   when   they   try   to   read   official publications.   They   are   also   at   a   great   dis- advantage when they take the written examination for  advancement.  Although  it  is  always  important for   you   to   use   technical   terms   correctly,   it is   especially   important   when   you   are   dealing with  lower  rated  personnel;  sloppiness  in  the use   of   technical   terms   is   likely   to   be   very confusing  to  them. You  will  have  increased  responsibilities  for keeping  up  with  new  developments.  Practically everything   in   the   Navy—policies,   procedures, systems—is subject to change and development. You must keep yourself informed of all changes and  new  developments  that  might  affect  your rating  or  your  work. Some  changes  will  be  called  directly  to  your attention,  others  you  will  have  to  look  for.  Try to  develop  a  special  alertness  for  new  information. Keep  up  to  date  on  all  available  sources  of technical information. Publications of continuing interest  to  supervisors  in  the  Medical  Department are  U.S.  Navy  Medicine   and  all  notices  and instructions,   especially   those   from   NAVMED- COM. Advancement in rating is not automatic. Meet- ing all requirements makes you eligible but does not  guarantee  your  advancement.  The  factors  that determine  which  persons,  out  of  all  those  who take the examinations, will actually be advanced are the scores made on the written examination, the  length  of  time  in  service,  the  performance marks  of  the  individual,  and  the  quotas  set  for the rating. Remember  that  the  requirements  for  ad- vancement   may   change   from   time   to   time. Check  with  your  division  officer  or  training officer   to   be   sure   you   meet   the   most   recent requirements   when   you   are   preparing   for advancement  or  helping  others  to  prepare  for it. 1-2