Professional Military Education (PME)

Required and recommended PME courses by paygrade, including Enlisted Leader Development (ELD) program requirements.

Enlisted Leader Development (ELD): Describes all aspects of enlisted leadership skills training, character development, decision making, self-awareness and ethics. ELD occurs through formal training, self-directed study, and practical leadership experience.
E1-E3 (Seaman Recruit to Seaman)
Required PME:
  • Foundational Leader Development Course (NELD-03) - 2.5 days
  • Navy Military Training (Life Skills) - 2 days
  • PMK-EE for E4
  • Ethics Training (Command Delivered)
Required Community PME:
  • SCI Security and Emergency Destruction
  • Naval Cryptology in National Security
  • USSID Training (CR1400, CR1501, SG5000, SP0018)
  • NEETS MOD 13 (Numbering Systems and Logic)
  • CWT Job Specific JQR/PQS
E4 (CWT3)
Required PME:
  • Foundational Leader Development Course (NELD-03) - 2.5 days
  • PMK-EE for E5
  • Ethics Training (Command Delivered)
Recommended PME:
  • Introductory Enlisted Professional Military Education (IEPME) - 18 hrs
  • Military Requirements for Petty Officer Third and Second Class
  • Personal Financial Management - 8 hrs
  • PREVENT - 24 hrs
E5 (CWT2)
Required PME:
  • Intermediate Leader Development Course (NELD-04) - 3 days
  • PMK-EE for E6
  • ADAMS for Supervisors - 8 hrs
  • Ethics Training (Command Delivered)
Recommended PME:
  • Basic Enlisted Professional Military Education (BEPME) - 20 hrs
  • Military Requirements for Petty Officer First Class
  • Cultural Awareness - 45 hrs
E6 (CWT1)
Required PME:
  • Advanced Leader Development Course (NELD-05) - 4 days
  • PMK-EE for E7
  • ADAMS for Supervisors - 8 hrs
  • ADAMS for Facilitators - 16 hrs
  • Ethics Training (Command Delivered)
Required Community PME:
  • Mission Related Area Studies
  • Individual Language Training Plan
  • IPTR: Information Operations (IO) Coordination
  • CyberLaw 1 & 2
E7 (Chief Petty Officer)
Required PME:
  • Chief Petty Officer Selectee Leadership Course - 5 days
  • Chief Petty Officer Leader Development Course (NELD-06) - 5 days
  • Ethics Training (Command Delivered)
Required Community PME:
  • Mission Related Area Studies
  • Individual Language Training Plan
  • Operational Stress Control - Senior Enlisted - 2 hrs
Recommended PME:
  • Primary Enlisted Professional Military Education (PEPME) - 60 hrs
  • Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) - 40 hrs
  • Senior Enlisted Academy, Newport RI
E8-E9 (Senior/Master Chief)
E8 Required PME:
  • Senior Enlisted Academy, Newport RI (3 weeks)
  • Ethics Training (Command Delivered)
E9 Required PME:
  • Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) - 40 hrs
  • Senior Enlisted Academy (if not completed as E8)
Required Community PME:
  • Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) - 2 hrs
  • IPTR: Information Operations (IO) Coordination
  • Operational Stress Control - Senior Enlisted - 2 hrs
Senior Enlisted Academy Requirement: Starting FY2026, all Senior Chief Petty Officers (E8) must complete SEA or equivalent service academy to be eligible for advancement to Master Chief (E9).
Common Military Training (CMT): Annual requirements include DoD Cyber Awareness Challenge, SAPR, Suicide Prevention, OPSEC, and other mandatory training determined by command.

Enlisted Leader Development (ELD) Program

Foundational (E-3/4)

HONOR, COURAGE, COMMITMENT - 2.5 days focused on self-awareness, ethics, and basic leadership principles.

Intermediate (E-5)

Builds on foundational concepts with increased focus on leading others and operational leadership skills.

Advanced (E-6)

ONE NAVY TEAM - 4 days covering advanced leadership, team building, and preparing for chief responsibilities.

Chief (E-7)

Comprehensive 5-day program covering ethics, decision-making, influence, and building winning teams.

ELD Focus: Effective leader development includes both formal training and self-directed study and reflection. Navy leaders progress through learning rapidly, making high-quality decisions, and controlling the high end of maritime conflict.