TRAINING AND PROFICIENCY OF AVIATION STRUCTURAL MECHANICS. II. PROFICIENCY OF FIRST ENLISTMENT AVIATION MECHANICS

Between July and November 1959, 242 first enlistment aviation structural mechanics and their immediate supervisors were interviewed to provide information on the training, utilization, performance and progress of AMs during their first enlistment. The sample included personnel from 32 squadrons representing 11 squadron types. The primary indications were that fleet training facilities were commonly utilized to prepareAMs for their squadron duties AMSs and AMHs were assigned to billets with overlapping structures and hydraulics duties throughout their first enlistment AMEs were utilized within the scope of their service rating and as AMs progressed in time and rate they performed more duties, better, with less supervision, often reaching a level of independent trouble shooting performance within the last year of their first enlistment. Author