The effect of USMC enlisted aviation maintenance qualifications on aviation readiness

Abstract

In an environment where U.S. military readiness is increasingly critical, this thesis investigates the effects of Marine Corps aviation maintenance qualifications on Marine aircraft readiness. The sample population used in this thesis includes flightline, avionics, and airframe mechanics from heavy, light/attack, and tiltrotor Marine squadrons. The study focuses on three specific qualifications believed to have the most impact on readiness. The methods used to analyze these relationships include descriptive statistics, multivariate linear regression, and Monte Carlo simulations, using two independent databases (a time-series file containing readiness and basic qualification information from 2012–2015, and a cross-sectional file containing a snapshot of qualifications and other human characteristics, from 2015). The time-series linear regression models suggest a positive effect of qualifications on readiness. The cross-sectional linear regression models suggest a positive effect of individual characteristics such as rank, years of service, and marital status. The Monte Carlo simulations extended the regression model’s findings by injecting controlled variability from the distribution types. The Monte Carlo simulations are also used to formulate a recommended number of qualifications a squadron would need when provided with a target readiness score.