Scheduling Marine Corps entry-level MOS schools

Abstract

Each year the United States Marine Corps suffers excessive loss of man years from Marines awaiting entry-level schools. During fiscal year 2001 (the most recent complete time-awaiting-training data), Marines exceeded 2,800 man years of time awaiting training. Non-infantry personnel comprise 80% of the more than 30,000 recruits shipped to Marine Corps Recruit Depots each year, but they constitute almost 95% of the 2,800 man-year loss. Marine Corps manpower planners consider the current level of loss unacceptable and believe significant improvement can be gained by optimally scheduling courses at Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) schools. This thesis uses an integer linear program, Entry-Level Course Scheduler (ELCS), to optimize a course schedule that includes recommended seat assignments by MOS and gender. ELCS seeks to minimize the time awaiting training while successfully meeting yearly classification requirements. ELCS results using fiscal year 2003 data indicate time awaiting training can be reduced to only 1,700 man years (a 1,100 man-year improvement, when compared with fiscal year 2001 data).