Since   the   SERT   has   the   knowledge   and   training capability, it is uniquely qualified to assist the ship’s training  officer  in  identifying  the  topics  and  content of  necessary  training  for  both  officers  and  enlisted personnel. As  an  FC  supervisor,  you  will  periodically  eval- uate the operational readiness of your personnel. You should ensure that they are familiar with the follow- ing  topics:     Intended purpose of all switches, indicators, controls,  and  the  impact  each  has  on  other subsystems  or  combat  systems  equipments.    Communications links available at the station and with the other stations. Compliance   with   specified   communications disciplines. Knowledge  that  the  lack  of  communications discipline is an internal hazard to the combat systems or to the ship. SERT Test Selection and Scheduling The  integrated  approach  to  testing  is  based  on defining all functional test requirements and subject- ing  them  to  a  critical  examination.  The  examination involves   an   engineering   analysis   in   which   each function,  parameter,  and  characteristic  is  examined for  (1)  its  importance  to  mission  or  mode  perform- ance, (2) its reliability based on the circuit elements that  affect  the  function,  and  (3)  its  expected  mean time between failures. This  approach  places  a  test  periodicity  (daily, weekly,  monthly,  quarterly,  semiannually,  annually, and  cyclically)  on  the  functions.  Critical  functions are  assigned  a  high  periodicity,  regardless  of  relia- bility;  while  less  critical  functions  may  be  assigned a lower periodicity based on their reliability. Related functions are grouped by periodicity and functional interdependency so that they can be tested during   appropriate   periods.   The   tactical   situation governs how and when maintenance is scheduled. Scheduling   is   a   critical   element   of   preventive maintenance  management  and  requires  a  thorough knowledge of the intent and conditions of each main- tenance  requirement  card  (MRC). Important  conditions  include in-port  and  at-sea  requirements, outside  service  requirements, navigational  support  requirements, combat  systems  operational  usage, ship  control  requirements, emission  control  conditions, computer  program  requirements, subsystems  interdependency, impact  on  computer  program  capability, adverse  weather  conditions, time  requirements,  and manpower  requirements. From these conditions, the quarterly schedule can be developed, based on the ship’s employment sched- ule.  Heavy  maintenance  is  usually  scheduled  during in-port periods and independent ship exercises during nonthreat  conditions  (particularly  for  those  proce- dures  requiring  long  periods  of  operational  equip- ment  downtime). If  the  employment  schedule  changes,  the  PMS schedule may require modification. Daily and weekly schedules are based on the ship’s readiness condition and  operational  situation.  Subsystem  interdepend- ence and manpower usage are also critical in sched- uling. Preventive  maintenance  management  includes  the following  requirements: 4-16