SECTION 3

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION STANDARDS (PQS) PROGRAM

Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 3500.34 series

(b) CINCLANTFLTINST 5400.2 series

(c) CINCPACFLTINST 3500.16 series

(d) NAVEDTRA 43100-1 series (PQS Manager's Guide)

(e) OPNAVINST 3120.32 series (SORM))

(f) NAVEDTRA 43100-5 series (PQS Catalog)

(g) OPNAVINST 1412.2 series (SWO Qualification Program)

(h) OPNAVINST 1414.1 series (ESWS Qualification Program)

3301. General. This chapter provides policy and procedures for the management of the Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS) Program on ships and units of the Naval Surface Forces.

3302. Policy. The PQS program is the Navy's standard program for qualification of watchstanders. Use of PQS provides a trainee with references, theory, and practical application necessary to learn a specific watch station. It also provides the trainee's chain of command with a means to monitor qualification progress. References (a) through (h) and Subsections A through D provide guidance that is essential in administering a successful PQS program.

a. If a PQS has been developed and published by the Chief of Naval Education and Training as a NAVEDTRA document, its use in qualification of personnel is mandatory.

b. The PQS Program is a fundamental element of the ship's training program. PQS is to be incorporated in the ship's training program as the primary means of watch station qualification.

c. All watch station assignments must be made by formal watch bill or the Watch, Quarter and Station bill.

d. All watch bills will be prepared based upon review of the qualification documents in the member's service record such as Page 4 entries, letters of designation or interim qualification letters for each assignment.

e. Fleet units are authorized to develop local qualification standards modeled after PQS. These standards are to be titled "Job Qualification Requirements (JQR)," to distinguish them from PQS, and to allow the developing activity greater flexibility in tailoring the format, content, and use to a qualifier's needs. When an activity develops a JQR, the Commanding Officer will have final authorizing authority and will submit a copy of the approved JQR to his/her ISIC for informational purposes and the Type Commander for review for force-wide applicability. The TYCOM will forward copies of the JQR to the Chief of Naval Education and Training to determine whether the JQR should be included in a related course of instruction and to the Naval Education and Training Program Management Support Activity for possible PQS development. All units are encouraged to provide feedback via the chain of command on recommended changes or improvements to JQR/PQS.

f. Interim qualifications may be granted by the commanding officer on an individual basis and are temporary in nature. The commanding officer may determine minimum qualification accomplishment that will safely support the watch station. The commanding officer shall formally appoint a person who has completed those minimum requirements as "Interim Qualified" to stand the watch. Strict control will be kept on the use of interim qualifications. Every effort will be made to complete the final qualification as soon as possible, normally in no more than 6 months.

g. Commands having suitable ADP capability may track individual PQS progress by either conventional means (PQS charts) or automated means (ADP). Any ADP system used, at a minimum, will conform to the requirements for PQS management specified in references (a) through (e) and the command's local procedures for executing PQS. Reference (d) should be the basic reference for determining which data elements will be displayed on any automated tracking system (display or hard copy reports.).

h. PQS books are not required to be kept once the highest watch station qualification in the book has been signed off and the appropriate service record entries have been made.

i. PQS qualifiers will be petty officers, normally E-5 or senior and qualified for the watch station to be signed off. They may be qualified for a supervisory watch station that incorporates those watch stations to be signed off as prerequisites.

The commanding officer may also authorize personnel to sign off watchstation PQS based upon the individual's experience and position.

The commanding officer shall appoint all PQS qualifiers by name in writing, and list the PQS watch stations each is authorized to sign off.

j. On some occasions, such as precommissioning or when new equipment is installed, no personnel on board may meet the criteria to sign off PQS. In these cases, the commanding officer

may appoint an individual as qualified to sign off PQS based on that individual's background and experience level. This is an authorized means of using the accelerated qualification process defined in reference (d).

k. Page 4 service record entries of PQS qualification will be made as a PQS qualification is attained. Commands are encouraged to develop tailored page 4 PQS forms by work center (see example, Figure 3-3-1), and to delegate authority to initial qualification entries on these forms to division officers in order to reduce the associated administrative burden and improve accuracy and timeliness of records keeping. The page 4 will be maintained in the official service record.

l. Once a common watch station, such as phone talker, is completed by an individual for any PQS, it need not be repeated as a part of a subsequent qualification. The earlier completion may simply be cited in the qualification book.

m. All PQS applicable to a person will be listed and tracked on the parent division/work center PQS chart/ADP record. This includes all general quarters stations and other special evolutions such as line handler, UNREP and sea detail requirements irrespective of departmental assignments. Exceptions to this are Inport Emergency Party PQS (DCA), Repair Locker PQS, (DCA) Gun Mount PQS (Gunnery Officer), and Quarterdeck PQS (Senior Watch Officer).

n. PQS watch station requalification is required when:

(1) Reporting to a new command for watch stations as directed by the commanding officer.

(2) Revised PQS is received and in the commanding officer's judgment, changes to the standard warrant requalification.

(3) Validity of an individual's qualification is suspect in the eyes of the commanding officer.

NAVY OCCUPATION/TRAINING AND AWARDS HISTORY

BASIC DAMAGE CONTROL COMMS 43119-2F 301

BASIC DAMAGE CONTROL 302

BASIC FIREFIGHTING 303

FIRE WATCH 304

BASIC CBR-D 305

DIVISION DCPO 43119-5A 301

3-M MAINTENANCE PERSON 43241-F 301

3-M REPAIR PARTS/SUPPLY PO 302

3-M WORK CENTER/GROUP SUPERVISOR 303

3-M DIVISION OFFICER 304

SHIP CONTROL AND NAVIGATION 43492-2B

SOUND POWERED TELEPHONE TALKER " 2301

LOOKOUT " 2302

BEARING TAKER " 2303

BEARING RECORDER/RADAR NAV RECORDER " 2304

LOG KEEPER " 2305

LEE HELM " 2307

HELM " 2308

AFT STEERING HELMSMAN " 2309

MASTER HELMSMAN " 2310

QMOW/NAVIGATION SUPERVISOR " 2312

NAVIGATION DETAIL PLOTTER " 2313

ASSISTANT NAVIGATOR " 2314

ENLISTED SURFACE WARFARE SPECIALIST 43390-B 301

DECK WATCHES INPORT 43397-A

MESSENGER " 303

DOOR, WALTER TITUS 123-45-6789 USN

PETTY OFFICER 43397-A 304

OFFICER OF THE DECK " 306

DOOR, WALTER TITUS 123-45-6789 USN

Requalification is to be to the latest PQS standard. Requalification will be documented by page 4 service record entry. Requalification at a supervisory watch station should include changes to subordinate watch stations in that standard. In this case only the supervisory watch station requalification need to be documented.

o. Date of qualification for a watch station is the date the final qualification authority signs the final qualification page for that watch station. This is the date that is to be entered on "Date Completed" column of the service record Page 4. No requirement exists to enter this date on PQS boards.

p. When a PQS standard is revised, there is no requirement to make new page 4 qualification entries for the sole reason of conforming to revised NAVEDTRA watch station numbers.

3303. Responsibilities

a. Group/Squadron Commander

(1) Assign an officer to duties as PQS Coordinator.

(2) Provide PQS assistance/training for assigned units.

(3) Regularly monitor the effectiveness of PQS programs in all assigned ships and operating units.

(4) Review a unit's PQS in conjunction with ISIC's Command Inspection using Sub-Sections A and B below.

(5) Submit recommendations for development of new PQS, as desired, via the chain of command.

b. Commanding Officer

(1) Make sure watch bills and Watch, Quarter and Station Bills denote the watchstanders' level of qualification; i.e., Q=Qualified, I=Interim Qualified, U/I=Under Instruction.

(2) Publish command directives establishing PQS as an integral element of the command's training qualification program.

(3) Make sure Selected Reserve (SELRES) personnel are fully integrated into all aspects of the command's PQS program.

(4) Establish a PQS organization which incorporates monitoring procedures and designation of qualifying personnel. Monitoring procedures shall include a spot check program. The goal of this spot check program is to determine if a person has the level of knowledge to properly perform watch station duties, not just to verify the administrative trail of qualification.

(5) Assign a command PQS Coordinator to assist in the management and administration of the PQS Program.

(6) Establish interim qualification procedures using the guidelines of reference (d). Make sure that personnel assigned watch duties for which the final qualification is not complete are interim qualified under the commanding officer's signature.

(7) Serve as the qualification/requalification authority for key/supervisory watch stations. Designate in writing those watch stations for which the commanding officer does not act as the final qualification authority.

(8) Ensure a practical damage control training program for all permanently assigned personnel is in place to include the elements listed in paragraph 3303.g.(1) through (8).

(9) Make sure all personnel complete final qualification in the appropriate level (maintenance man, work center supervisor, division officer, department head, etc. ) of 3M PQS within 6 months of reporting to the command.

(10) Establish the method of final qualification and requalification. This method will vary with the requirements of the command, but may include any combination of the following:

(a) Acceptance of recommendations.

(b) Oral/written examinations.

(c) Personally observed performance.

(d) Qualification board.

c. Executive Officer

(1) Supervise the PQS Program as directed by the Commanding Officer.

(2) Maintain the command's written guidance on PQS.

(3) Monitor officer PQS progress.

(4) Direct development of JQRs per reference (d).

(5) Make sure all personnel assigned to Condition I, IA (amphibious ships), III, IV, V watch stations, and inport emergency parties for which PQS or JQRs have been developed are properly qualified for those watch stations. This requires specific attention to the assignment of PQS to personnel outside the department in which they stand watch. This also includes the complete and timely documentation of interim/final qualification.

(6) Make sure that service record entries are made promptly.

(7) Report status of the PQS program to the commanding officer monthly.

d. PQS Coordinator

(1) Maintain the basic system references as listed in Subsection C.

(2) Maintain system software.

(a) Order and store "all-hands" PQS such as Damage Control and 3M.

(b) Function as the focal point for ordering departmental PQS.

(3) Advise the executive officer and Planning Board for Training on all PQS matters.

(4) Conduct the PQS indoctrination of newly reported enlisted personnel. Brief them on command policy regarding PQS, using the ship's written guidance and reference (d).

(5) Issue "all-hands" PQS software to newly reported personnel.

(6) Maintain a master listing of all Personal Qualification Standards (PQS) and Job Qualification Requirements (JQR) applicable to the command. Maintain a master library of all tailored PQS books with tailored Standard Answer Books (SAB), if available, and JQRs applicable to the command. Errata sheets are acceptable substitutes for master tailored PQS books and tailored SABs. Errata sheets must contain at a minimum specific information required to tailor the PQS book and SAB to the command. Other useful information such as requalification requirements, final qualification authority, written or oral board requirements, etc., may be included on the errata sheets.

(7) Submit a monthly report to the commanding officer via the executive officer on the status of the ship's PQS program. This report shall be broken down by each division and major cross divisional task centers (such as repair party, gun mounts, in-port emergency teams, quarterdeck, etc.). This report shall include:

(a) The number of personnel required by watch station to ensure proper functioning of the task center and the number qualified/interim qualified (include date interim qualified).

(b) The names and remedial action taken for all personnel who are in arrears in ship-wide PQS (General DC, 3M, etc.) and mandatory semi-annual training requirements (Emergency Egress, EEBD, OBA, SEED, etc.)

(c) Results of PQS spot checks conducted.

(d) Assessment of the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) qualification program broken down by the following groups: E-7 and above, E-4 through E-6, and non-rated categories.

NOTE: Senior Watch Officer reports on progress of Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) qualification.

(8) Maintain the PQS status reports and a historical record of qualifiers for 2 years.

e. Planning Board for Training. Coordinate and schedule PQS training. Resolve inter-departmental conflicts in support of watchstander training.

f. Senior Watch Officer. Perform those duties specified for the PQS Coordinator for officer personnel. Additionally, the senior watch officer will:

(1) Set goals for the SWO trainees as directed by the commanding officer.

(2) Maintain records of SWO progress.

(3) Advise the commanding officer monthly on the progress of each SWO trainee.

(4) Recommend officer qualifications to the commanding officer.

g. Damage Control Assistant. The DCA will monitor and ensure that shipwide damage control training meets a common standard in all departments. The shipwide training program should have the following attributes:

(1) All afloat personnel complete Damage Control PQS (NAVEDTRA 43119-G, Watchstations 301 - 306) within six months of reporting aboard.

(2) Personnel reporting from another ship who have already completed Damage Control PQS (under NAVEDTRA 43119-G, Section 200) shall qualify on ship specific Damage Control Systems (NAVEDTRA 43119-G, Section 200) within three months of reporting aboard.

(3) All personnel shall complete emergency egress training within 96 hours of reporting aboard and every six months thereafter. This training will consist of blindfolded escape from working, berthing, and watchstanding spaces and actual activation and donning of a training EEBD. Completion shall be documented by PQS chart or computer file.

(4) All personnel shall complete OBA refresher training within three months of reporting aboard and every six months thereafter. Completion shall be documented by PQS chart or computer file.

(5) Personnel may not be assigned to a Repair Party or Inport Emergency Team (IET) until they have achieved Basic Damage Control (NAVEDTRA 43119-G) "Qual 1" final qualification. All personnel assigned to Repair Party Teams or IETs (Watchstations 307 - 319) shall complete the applicable sections of Damage Control PQS within the estimated completion time specified in NAVEDTRA 43119-G.

(6) Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) personnel shall be fully qualified to the billet they are assigned to train/evaluate and be assigned DCTT Member PQS (NAVEDTRA 43119-G, Watchstation 320).

(7) Gas Free Engineer Petty Officers and Fire Marshals shall complete applicable sections of Damage Control Watches PQS (NAVEDTRA 43119-4 series) prior to assignment. Gas Free Engineer Petty Officers shall assume duties of the Post Fire Test Assistants.

(8) Damage Control Petty Officers (DCPO) shall complete DCPO PQS (NAVEDTRA 43119-5 series) prior to assignment. Personnel assigned DC equipment maintenance shall complete applicable sections of the DCPO PQS prior to performing maintenance actions.

h. Department Head

(1) Administer the PQS program within the department.

(2) Determine the PQS entry level of newly reported personnel, based upon qualification at past duty stations, enroute schooling, Page 4 service record entries, and recommendation of the division officer.

(3) Act as final qualification/requalification authority for those watch stations as authorized by the commanding officer.

(4) Make sure personnel assigned Condition I, IA (amphibious ships), III, IV, V watch stations, and in-port emergency parties for which PQS or JQRS have been developed are final or interim qualified for those watch stations.

(5) Recommend final/interim watch station qualification or requalification to the commanding officer.

(6) Keep track of interim qualified personnel so they complete final qualification promptly.

(7) Submit PQS status report to PQS coordinator monthly.

i. Division Officer

(1) Administer the division PQS program.

(2) Recommend PQS entry level of newly assigned personnel to the department head.

(3) Assign watch stations and PQS goals to individual trainees.

(4) Review the progress of divisional personnel toward qualification goals weekly.

(5) Update PQS progress charts/ADP records weekly.

(6) Make sure that Standard Answer Books for theory and systems are available for use by qualification petty officers.

(7) Recommend final or interim watch station qualification/requalification to the department head.

(8) Review revised PQS standards and recommend requalification requirements, if warranted, to the department head.

(9) Assign only qualified or interim qualified personnel to Condition I, IA (amphibious ships), III, IV, and V watch stations, and in port emergency parties.

(10) Make sure Page 4 service record entries document PQS watch station qualification.

(11) Submit PQS status report to the department head monthly.

(12) Assign a Training Petty Officer to maintain divisional PQS Progress Charts / ADP records.

j. Chief Petty Officer/Leading Petty Officer/Work Center Supervisor

(1) Recommend watch station goals to the division officer.

(2) Monitor progress of division personnel toward PQS goals.

(3) Supervise qualification petty officers within the division.

k. Qualification Petty Officer

(1) Keep abreast of revisions/changes to equipment, systems and procedures that affect assigned areas of responsibility.

(2) Recommend changes/tailoring of PQS standards to supervisors.

(3) Be available to sign off PQS and assist trainees as needed.

l. Training Petty Officer

(1) Maintain PQS Progress Charts / ADP records IAW reference (d).

(2) Make all PQS Progress Charts / ADP records available to the Division Officer for review weekly.

Subsection A: PQS Program Evaluation Criteria

Subsection B: PQS Management Checklist

Subsection C: PQS Management Tools

Subsection D: PQS Program