For a Sailor not at high year tenure (HYT) but approved for Fleet Reserve, what should be placed in Block 21 of their performance evaluation?

The correct choice for Block 21 of a performance evaluation for a Sailor who is not at high year tenure (HYT) but has been approved for Fleet Reserve is "APPROVED." This is because approval for Fleet Reserve indicates that the Sailor is recognized for transitioning out of active duty under the established guidelines, which is a noteworthy factor in evaluating their performance. Properly documenting this status reflects the Sailor’s career progression and acknowledges the approval, which is significant in evaluating their readiness for retirement.

In contrast, the other potential choices do not accurately represent the status of a Sailor with Fleet Reserve approval. "NOT APPROVED" would indicate that the Sailor does not have the necessary approval for Fleet Reserve, which is not the case. "PENDING" suggests that the approval is still awaiting finalization, which does not apply once the approval has been granted. Similarly, "EXEMPT" implies a different set of circumstances regarding an active duty status or commitment level, which does not relate to the context of Fleet Reserve approval. Therefore, "APPROVED" is the most accurate descriptor for record-keeping and performance evaluation purposes.