Long-Range Training Schedule
The ship’s training cycle is tied closely to the periods
of time between overhauls. The long-range training
plan, prepared by the training board, is the basic
instrument for planning and carrying out the ship’s
training requirements.
The long-range plan contains only information of
major importance needed to ensure that the overall co-
ordination and planning of the training effort are
effective. It is not concerned with minor details of the
ship’s training schedule.
In effect, the plan outlines the periods of time that
are to be considered as all-hands evolutions, during
which little personal training may be scheduled. These
events include major inspection, trial, and maintenance
periods; competitive exercises; off-ship team training;
general quarters, general drills; etc. This plan becomes
the framework for preparing the more detailed quarterly
forecast of all-hands evolutions and the weekly training
schedules.
Quarterly Forecast of All-Hands Evolutions
Based on the long-range training schedule and
general policy guidance from the commanding officer,
the training officer prepares a quarterly forecast, or
estimate, of the number of normal working hours re-
quired to carry out evolutions involving all hands. On
the basis of that estimate, the training officer also
forecasts the number of hours that are available for
individual division activities.
When the ship’s employment schedule is reasonably
firm, the training officer prepares the quarterly forecast
simultaneously with the long-range training schedule.
At other times, the training officer can forecast only
as far ahead as reliable estimates can be made, perhaps
monthly or biweekly.
The analysis is based on a normal work week of 35
hours per person, 7 hours per day for 5 days. Obviously,
shipboard personnel work many more hours a week
than 35. Watch standing, equipment repairs, general
quarters, off-duty studies, etc., take up much time
beyond the usual work week. The quarterly forecast
of all-hands evolutions, however, must be based on the
realistic assumption that most training takes place dur-
ing normal working hours.
In preparing the forecast, the training officer indi-
cates the total number of crew-hours that must be
reserved for each all-hands evolution. Thus, during a
week in which type training is to be conducted, 31
hours may be reserved for one all-hands evolution and
2 hours for another evolution. After the training officer
has completed the calculations, there may be 10 crew-
hours reserved for training. On the basis of this
computation, the training officer may then inform all
division officers of the number of hours available for
division activities (35 hrs -10 hrs = 25 hrs).
Division Quarterly Forecast of Activity
As a leading FC, you will generally be called upon
to assist the division officer with the division quarterly
forecast, at least the portion concerning FC personnel.
The division officer may prepare a quarterly forecast
to show how the time available for division activities
is to be divided among watch standing, lessons, drills,
and routine operations.
This forecast is optional because small divisions,
such as those on a destroyer, receive little benefit from
its use. It is most helpful in the control of large groups
of personnel participating in diversified activities.
The forecast is simply a weekly breakdown of total
hours available during the quarter. First, the hours
needed for watch standing are subtracted from the total.
The remaining hours are divided according to the exist-
ing situation. Some routine maintenance, for instance,
may have been included because of operational commit-
ments, quality monitoring, or inoperative equipment.
If so, the training cycle maybe adjusted to absorb the
extra time.
A good rule of thumb, however, is a 50-50 approach
to training versus maintenance, unless equipment
becomes inoperable or an operational emergency arises.
3-22
