Minuteman Missile Maintenance and Enlisted Career Progression Problems.
Abstract
The Minuteman missile weapon system is an important component of the Triad, our nation's deterrent forces. Effective maintenance of this system is important to ensure it is able to meet mission requirements. Maintenance includes inspection, testing, servicing, classification as to service-ability, repair, modification, and reclamation. The key to successful maintenance is a stable, weapon system-experienced maintenance work force. The enlisted personnel responsible for performing the maintenance actions are part of a three-tier enlisted force organization and progress through the Air Force promotion system. Through career progression in this system, personnel are required to move from technically oriented hands on work to supervisory and management oriented positions. Previous research has indicated that this transition is a problem area in aircraft maintenance. This research examined the responses of 143 Minuteman maintenance personnel when asked what can be done to improve missile maintenance. The statements they made were used to develop a problem scheme and were analyzed for relevance to the technician to supervisor transition. This forced transition was only mentioned by a few of the personnel and appeared to be of relatively small significance in the total Minuteman maintenance environment. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA134336
Entities
People
- Donald R. Forbes
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology