Air Force Manpower, Personnel, and Training System

Describes evaluation of two subsystems for enlisted force management: a short-term or "programming" subsystem and a long-term or "planning" subsystem. The short-term subsystem is evaluated by comparing personnel assignments in about two hundred occupational specialties over a three-and-one-half-year period. The statistical methods employed should be useful in developing more detailed comparisons within occupations (i.e., authorization-assignment agreement according to skill level, pay grade, command, etc.). The long-term subsystem is evaluated by reviewing its logical and operational structure. While its many strengths are apparent, the subsystem is somewhat lacking in integration, largely because it lacks effective focus on cost and productivity characteristics associated with different types of people (e.g., experienced vs. inexperienced people within different occupations). We recommend that practical mechanisms be developed which will permit (1) identification of multiple manpower/personnel force structures (within occupations and forcewide) capable of meeting mission requirements and (2) evaluation of and selection among these alternatives.