The Effect of CNATRA Student Production Goals on Required Manning Levels in Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Military units are continually expected to do more with less. This is especially true in the Naval Aviation Training Commands. Military forces are globally committed now, while training commands are producing a product for the future. As such, both the operationally committed forces and the Shore Training Commands need experienced Fleet Aviators. Practically, however, Operational Commanders get priority and Training Commands are forced to provide qualified officers to fill compulsory Individual Augment (IA) billets. Eventually, this policy of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ will adversely impact the flow of newly qualified officers to back-fill the Fleet. The objective of this study is to determine a realistic manning level for a single squadron in the Naval Aviation Training Command and use that information to provide leadership with a quick estimate manning ratio of students to instructors. This ratio will allow leadership to quickly estimate potential production shortfalls if student requirements change unexpectedly.