SERT Operations

Figure 4-3.-Typical ship’s electronics readiness team organization. SERT Operations For the SERT to coordinate preventive and cor- rective maintenance efforts effectively, there must be extensive coordination and cooperation among the 4-11 major branches of the combat systems/weapons de- partment. The SERT members should have direct access to the leading petty officers of each subsystem group within the combat systems/weapons depart- ment. Additionally, because combat systems do not in- clude all maintenance and operational departments of the ship and because combat systems cannot operate without the support of other departments, all de- partments should be involved in implementing a system-level maintenance program. Both officers and enlisted personnel should participate in the sched- uling process for the plan. For the SERT to be held responsible for combat systems readiness, it must have clearly defined re- sponsibilities and authority. This is best done by a specific shipboard instruction. The SERT’s authority should be in the area of organization, as well as in materiel and personnel readiness. The knowledge that SERT personnel have must not be confined to a particular subsystem if the or- ganization is to function properly during condition III and in port. For all personnel to quickly understand combat systems availability during conditions I and III, and in port, the SERT should establish the following three lines of communications: 1. Condition I: The STO should be assigned a general quarters station in the combat information center (CIC). He should be able to inform the tactical control officer (TCO) of the present and changing status of combat systems availability on a threat basis. The rest of the SERT members should be as- signed as roving evaluators for subsystems with which they are most familiar. If possible, the duties of the roving evaluators should be rotated to ensure that SERT members become familiar with all areas without affecting the overall operation of the combat systems. 2. Condition III: At least one SERT member should be on watch in the CIC, with the responsi- bility of reporting combat systems status to the tactical action officer (TAO). The remaining SERT