Final answer:
E8-E9 candidates designated SBE (Selection Board Eligible) are senior enlisted personnel being considered for promotion by a selection board, which evaluates various indicators of their suitability for advancement in rank.
Step-by-step explanation:
The designation SBE for E8-E9 candidates stands for 'Selection Board Eligible.' This term specifically refers to the eligibility of senior enlisted personnel, typically in the U.S. Navy or other military branches, who are in the paygrades of E8 (Senior Chief Petty Officer) and E9 (Master Chief Petty Officer), to be considered for promotion by a selection board.
To be designated SBE, the candidates must meet certain pre-requisites which include time in service, performance evaluations, and leadership roles. Once designated, their records are reviewed by a promotion board, which considers various factors such as professional performance, military decorations, and competency in their field. Candidates who are successful are then placed on a promotion list based on their selection board ranking.