Quick Efforts Saved Sailors' Data During Flood

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Christina Yager, Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

May 6, 2010 - MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- While many of the Navy's web-based manpower and career management systems are temporarily offline due to flash flooding at the Navy's personnel headquarters in Millington, Navy officials said May 6 that the personnel records contained on the servers are safe.

"When the flood hit and the water started rising, we shut down key personnel systems to limit long-term damage. Our singular goal was to save personnel data," said Force Master Chief (AW/SW/NAC) Jon D. Port, Navy Personnel Command force master chief. "Contractors and government civilians and even the Coast Guard, based in downtown Memphis on the Mississippi River, joined the duty crew. Together, they pulled critical disks and drives from personnel systems that track the entire Navy." He said their quick action saved key personnel data that will allow NPC to be operational sooner.

BUPERS online (BOL), Physical Readiness Information Management System (PRIMS), web enabled record review (WERR) for looking at your Official Military Personnel File, and the NPC website are offline as the facilities that housed those systems are being cleaned and sanitized and new equipment is installed.

"We were lucky because no one was hurt and many unsung heroes acted quickly. In the meantime, we appreciate the outpouring of support, patience and understanding we are receiving from the fleet," said Port.

Sailors' Electronic Service Records were not affected by the flooding. Perform to Serve (PTS), FLEETRIDE, and Career Management System/Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID) are working but the processing of applications and results will be delayed.

Officials estimate it may take several weeks before these systems can be fully restored.

Navy Personnel Command's Customer Service Center has relocated to a temporary facility and is processing emergent calls. The number is 1-866-827-5672.

"Our customer service center is operating but at a limited capacity, and we ask that the fleet call only for more urgent situations until we restore operations," said Port.

"We have significant technical talent at NPC, both with our Sailors and civilians and will keep Sailors informed of our progress," said Port.