Integrating Naval Aviation Maintenance Training with Sailors' Proficiency Qualification and Its Correlation with Improved Weapon System Readiness

A core role for human systems integration is providing support of weapon systems operational effectiveness with optimal human performance (HP). When applied to the readiness of an aviation squadron, this focus on enhanced operational HP translates into ensuring that highly trained and proficient maintenance technicians are resident in these warfighting units. A key objective of the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Total Force Readiness program is to bridge Core Capabilities to Missions. This is accomplished through the linking of Navy Mission Essential Task Lists (NMETLs) to Skill Sets and Performance Standards for its future workforce. These goals can be accomplished from Initial Development to Deployment of a weapons system through its operational and support phases of the Department of Defense acquisition process using a mission/task-centric approach to Manpower, Personnel, and Training (MPT) requirements, with NMETLs as the operational thread. This paper will describe a life-cycle MPT analytic environment with its task-level links to systems and human engineering disciplines. A systematic approach to accessing and training a proficient maintenance workforce is presented, focusing on task-based maintenance training solutions for optimal unit readiness and mission capabilities. An innovative analytic framework from various skills-based manpower analysis studies will be cited as a means to transform system and unit MPT performance for Total Force Readiness. Enhanced by a Qualified and Proficient Technician methodology, a capability (missions) and competency (proficient) future workforce with skills-efficient maintainers will be best suited to achieving optimal readiness of weapons systems within the NAE.