PERS42 Offers Reserved NEX Parking Spot to Those Signing DH Contract

New Incentive Expected to Increase Falling JO Retention Numbers

In the latest issue of their Drumbeat newsletter, PERS42 announced that they will begin offering a special parking spot at the NEX to submarine junior officers who agree to sign a department head contract. This added incentive comes with the $35,000 yearly bonus for 4- or 5-year contracts and special preference in shore tour detailing.

When asked for comment, the DH detailer at PERS42 said they took feedback from JOs into account when deciding what additional benefits would make a department head tour a more attractive career path than getting out of the navy: “The responses were overwhelmingly focused on quality of life, and we thought what better way to improve the lifestyle of submarine DHs than to shorten their walk across the NEX parking lot. We believe this parking spot will tip the scales and make them feel assured in their decision to spend 4+ years of their late twenties/early thirties standing 3 section duty as an ENG in the shipyard.”

He added that they considered other initiatives, including protecting sleep hours, abolishing the audit and surveillance program or home port guarantees, but ultimately decided in favor of the parking spots. They initially planned to find a way to allow DHs to schedule an appointment at medical sooner than the typical 2-month minimum but gave up after waiting on hold for 2 hours with Tricare.

Managers for the Navy Exchange say they expect the new reserved spots to be painted in at NEXs across the world within the next few days. The spot will be closer to the entrance than those for disabled veterans and gold star families, but further than the ones reserved for O-5s, O-6s, and flag officers. PERS42 was only able to negotiate spots at the home goods store, so JOs on contract will have to continue using general parking at the commissary.