CHAPTER 1 NAVAL AVIATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (NAMP)

Chapter Objective: Upon completion of this chapter, you should have the knowledge to recognize the structure of the Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Rating, identify the three levels of aircraft maintenance, and recognize the organizational structure of the aircraft maintenance department.

This training manual (TRAMAN) is designed as a self-study text for personnel of the Navy and Naval Reserve who are preparing to meet the professional (technical) qualifications for advancement to petty officer third class and petty officer second class in the Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) rating. It can also be used as an aid for the AZ3 or AZ2. The minimum professional qualifications for advancement in all ratings are listed in the latest revision of the Manual of Navy Enlisted Manpower and Personnel Classifications and Occupational Standards, section 1, NAVPERS 18068.

Since AZs perform administrative, management, and clerical duties required in implementing and supporting the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP), it is only natural that the advancement career of the AZ parallel these duties. Clerical duties are usually manual functions. They are repetitious in nature and basic to the rating. Administrative duties require more initiative, experience, and responsibility for their effective performance than clerical duties require. Management duties involve supervision of the administrative and clerical elements of the AZ rating as well as planning, scheduling, and coordinating of the aircraft maintenance workload. Personnel who have demonstrated outstanding management capabilities are often selected for further advancement to warrant or commissioned status in the field of aviation maintenance.

The assignment possibilities of an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman cover a wide range of duties and responsibilities. The specific duties that you might perform depend largely upon the type of organization to which you are assigned. Duty assignments available to the AZ are limited only by the location of operating aircraft and maintenance activities. Assignment possibilities range from the Headquarters, Naval Air Systems Command all the way down to the smallest type of aircraft operating or maintenance activity. Billets for AZs exist on most aircraft carriers, and the AZs assigned aboard a carrier may be attached either to the ship or to one of the embarked squadrons. Regardless of the billet you are assigned, you will be working with aviation maintenance personnel to assist in keeping aircraft flying.

Many interesting overseas shore billets exist for AZs. If married, some third class and all second class petty officers may qualify to bring their dependents to overseas locations at government expense. Shorter duty tours usually prevail at the few overseas stations where dependents are not allowed or where they choose not to go. Between sea tours, the AZ third or second class may be assigned to one of the many naval air stations along the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and West Coast. In addition, the Naval Air Training Command has a few naval stations located inland, and AZs maybe assigned to them.

One of the shore duty billets available to AZs is assignment to the Naval Technical Training Center, NAS, Meridian, Mississippi, as an instructor in the Aviation Maintenance Administrationman school. Another possibility is that of an instructor at one of the Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group (FASOTRAGRU) training site detachments located in the U.S. and abroad. Instructor duty is normally reserved for highly qualified second and first class petty officers.

Other possible duty assignments include staff duty with one of the major fleet (Atlantic or