Bureau of Naval Personnel

The United States Navy Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) is similar to the human resources department of a corporation. The bureau provides administrative leadership and policy planning for the US Navy..

As of 2009, the office of the Bureau of Naval Personnel serves as a parent command to the Navy Personnel Command (NPC). The duties of NPC are nearly identical to the former office of BUPERS and the command's logo even incorporates the name of the latter's office. BUPERS is also the overseeing authority for Navy Recruiting Command. Most of the BUPERS offices are located in the cities Millington, Tennessee and Arlington, Virginia.

History

"Naval personnel matters were originally handled by the Secretary of War until the establishment of the Navy Department on April 30, 1798. It was not until 1815 that the Secretary of the Navy took control of personnel matters. In 1861, the Office of Detail was created and functions related to the detailing of officers and the appointment and instruction of volunteer officers, as well as the purchase of ships and related matters were transferred. The Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting was concurrently established to handle enlisted recruiting and service record maintenance.