Navy exceeds retention goals, will reduce ranks By Bradford Betz The U.S. Navy said last week that, despite the coronavirus pandemic upending its recruiting efforts, it has exceeded its retention targets for the fiscal year 2020 and will now reduce its ranks in overmanned ratings. In a Dec. 23 NAVADMIN, Vice Adm. John B. Nowell Jr. said the Navy "remains committed to retaining the right talent and experience in the right pay grades and ratings" and will continue to build "upon the retention gains in the last few years. For members with up to six years of service, the retention rate was nearly 70%. For those with between six and 10 years of service, the retention rate was 76%. And for those who have been serving between 10 and 14 years, the retention rate was nearly 90%.