W. Thomas Ballew
Published: 1984
Total Pages: 116
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This thesis presents an analysis of the professional career development of Naval Aviation Officers with respect to their Permanent Change of Station (PCS) movements. A network of representations of both successful and unsuccessful career paths of aviation officers is presented. Actual aviation assignment tour length time-on-station statistics showed decreasing officer tour lengths and, as a result, increased personnel turbulence within the Aviation Community over the period 1980 to 1984. Aviation officer retention rates were varied, along with Fleet Squadron tour lengths in a sensitivity analysis using the manpower model, 'Aviation Officer Requirements'. This analysis showed the optimal tour lengths for the Fleet Squadron tours with respect to aviation officer PCS requirements. Recommended alterations to the aviation officer career development paths were made to reduce the number of officer PCS movements without penalty to individual members' careers. Originator-supplied key words include: Career Development Naval Aviation Officers, Career paths, Permanent Change of Station Movement, Time-on-Station, Aviation community, Career path network, Turbulence, and Aviation manpower model.