Division Quarterly Forecast of Activity

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