Subject Matter Experts Trained
NAVAIR Logistics Certification Program Developed

December 17, 2009: LAKEHURST, NJ – The Industrial & Logistics Maintenance Planning/Sustainment Department (AIR-6.7) of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is reshaping its logistics workforce by implementing a formal Certification Program for all 6.7.1 employees.

The Department noticed a need for improving the standardization of policies, processes and procedures which had deteriorated over the years following the discontinuance of many military standards supporting or guiding systems acquisition. Within the Design Interface & Maintenance Planning (DI/MP) Division (AIR-6.7.1), new challenges were being encountered, particularly the lack of experienced logisticians, skill-specific training, standardized procedures and defined certification levels necessary to support the acquisition needs of the Fleet.

In 2006, AIR-6.7.1 Division established a National Design Interface and Maintenance Planning Steering Committee comprised of NAVAIR experts and commodity/program representatives. The Committee was tasked to determine what personnel resources were required to accomplish the tasks, identify the required knowledge, skills and abilities, and establish processes, policies and standards. This was done to ensure standardized tasks were accomplished and to improve the logistics workforce by recognizing the expertise of key DI/MP personnel and establishing Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) at NAVAIR sites.

AIR 6.7.1 defines areas of Technical Authority, where the process owner has the responsibility to establish, monitor and approve technical standards, tools and processes in conformance with higher authority policies. These areas of technical authority include:
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Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM)
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Level of Repair Analysis (LORA)
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Design Interface (DI)
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Maintenance Planning (MP)
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Integrated Maintenance Concept (IMC)
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Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortage (DMSMS)
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Environmental Logistics

Perhaps the single most significant accomplishment for the Committee is establishing a certification program. NAVAIR leadership seeks to gain maximum efficiency of personnel by defining the knowledge, skills and abilities required for each level of certification, i.e., Level I; Level II; Level III and Subject Matter Expert. Utilizing this training, logisticians working in all AIR-6.7.1 have an excellent opportunity to hone their skills and progress through the various levels of certification, to include both acquisition and in-service roles. This ensures that all NAVAIR programs have well trained and skilled personnel supporting their teams.

The DI/MP Certification Plan is designed to serve as the primary method of career development within the competency. It establishes education, training and experience guidelines and updates them to ensure continued applicability.

Career development for DI/MP logisticians consists of the certification program, coaching and mentoring, the opportunity to gain experience in logistics proficiency within DoD, and command sponsored training in leadership, teaming and industry partnering. It will result in the identification of new skills and responsibilities for the DI/MP workforce.

David Swanson, AIR-6.7.1 Division Director at NAVAIR Patuxent River, MD, recognized the accomplishments of three individuals from NAVAIR Lakehurst, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and designated them as SMEs. Mary Goertz-Mey of Bayville, NJ and Charles (Bud) Kyle of Toms River, NJ were both designated as Maintenance Planning SMEs and Walter Brzostowski, also of Toms River was designated as a Design Interface SME. All three will train and mentor over 20 junior level logisticians at NAVAIR Lakehurst.

Chris Reymann, NAVAIR Lakehurst 6.7.1 Division Head, was instrumental in having his employees recognized for their efforts. He submitted the 3 aforementioned employees for SME approval to NAVAIR Headquarters. Lakehurst is the first field activity to have approved SME’s across the National 6.7.1 competency.