SWOPATH: an interactive network flow model simulating the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer Career Paths

Abstract

This thesis presents an interactive computer model designed to examine the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) Career Path. The model called SWOPATH is designed to provide the manpower managers with a fast, user friendly analytical tool. The model is derived from a network representation of a SWO career path, the rows representing the billet activities, the columns the tours of duty. Career paths are represented by arcs connecting the nodes of the network. The model allows the manager to display current data and evaluate the effect of altering career paths by changing assignment tour lengths, transfer percentages from assignments to assignments, and accessions to the SWO community. The model's speed allows the manager to evaluate several scenarios, providing an ability to quickly forecast results of policy changes on the SWO community.