PROGRAM  COMPONENTS The basic thrust of the QA program is to make sure you  comply  with  technical  specifications  during  all work on ships of both the surface fleet and submarine force. The key elements of the program are as follows: -  Administrative.  This  includes  training  and qualifying  personnel,  monitoring  and  auditing programs, and completing the QA forms and records. -   Job   execution.   This   includes   preparing   work procedures,  meeting  controlled  material  requirements, requisitioning  material,  conducting  in-process  control of fabrication and repairs, testing and recertifying, and documenting any departure from specifications. A  properly  functioning  QA  program  points  out problem areas to maintenance managers so they can take appropriate  action  in  a  timely  manner.  The  following goals are common to all Navy QA programs: 1.   To   improve   the   quality,   uniformity,   and reliability of the total maintenance effort. 2.   To   improve   work   environment,   tools,   and equipment used in the performance of maintenance. 3.  To  eliminate  unnecessary  man-hour  and  dollar expenses. 4.  To  improve  the  training,  work  habits,  and procedures of all maintenance personnel. 5. To increase the excellence and value of reports and   correspondence   originated   by   the   maintenance activity. 6.   To   distribute   required   technical   information more  effectively. 7.  To  establish  realistic  material  and  equipment requirements in support of the maintenance effort. THE QUALITY ASSURANCE ORGANIZATION The QA program for naval forces is organized into different   levels   of   responsibility.   For   example,   the COMNAVSURFPAC  QA  program  is  organized  into  the following  levels  of  responsibility:  type  commander, readiness support group/area maintenance coordinator, and the IMAs. The QA program for the submarine force is  organized  into  four  levels  of  responsibility:  type commander,  group  and  squadron  commanders,  IMA commanding   officers,   and   ship   commanding officer/officers in charge. The QA program for the Naval Surface Force for the Atlantic Fleet is organized into five levels   of   responsibility:     force   commander,   audits, squadron commanders, IMAs, and force ships. The QA program organization (Navy) begins with the  commander in chief of the fleets, who provides the basic  QA  program  organization  responsibilities  and guidelines. The  type   commanders   (TYCOMS)  provide instruction,   policy,   and   overall   direction   for implementation  and  operation  of  the  force  QA  program. TYCOMs  have  a  force  QA  officer  assigned  to administer the force QA program. The commanding officers (COs) are responsible to the  force  commander  for  QA  in  the  maintenance  and repair of the ships. The CO is responsible for organizing and implementing a program within the ship to carry out the provisions of the TYCOMs QA manual. The CO ensures that all repair actions performed by ship’s force conform to provisions of the QA manual as well as other pertinent technical requirements. The  quality  assurance  officer  (QAO)  is responsible   to   the   CO   for   the   organization, administration,  and  execution  of  the  ship’s  QA  program according to the QA manual. The QAO is responsible for coordinating the ship’s QA  training  program,  for  maintaining  ship’s  QA records, and for test and inspection reports. The QAO conducts  QA  audits  as  required  and  follows  up  on corrective  actions  to  ensure  compliance  with  the  QA program. The   ship   quality   control   inspectors   (SQCIs), usually the work center supervisor and two others from the work center, must have a thorough understanding of the QA program. Some of the other responsibilities an SQCI will have are as follows: 1.   Inspect   all   work   for   compliance   with specifications. 2.   Maintain   ship   records   to   support   the   QA program. 3.   Ensure that only calibrated equipment is used in acceptance testing and inspection of work 4. Witness and document all tests. 5. Ensure that all materials or test results that fail to meet specifications are recorded and reported. 1-27