I don't think I mentioned it with all the craziness that happened Friday, but I got the last two quals I'm going to get for some time.

At 1400, I was told that I had to go before the Ordnance Safety Board for my interview. I'd been put up to become a Quality Assurance Safety Observer, the top ordnance safety qualification in the Corps. A QASO is required to observe and supervise certain ordnance-related activites, and also a QASO must inspect and sign off ordance being shipped or stored.

Normally one would study for a week before a board, but I didn't have time. So I went over to the MALS-31 HQ building, and stood in front of a Captain, a Master Gunnery Sergeant, and a Gunnery Sergeant, and got grilled on safety. It was not one of my shining moments, as my lack of preparation showed. But I do test well, and I think quickly on my feet, so I passed and am now officially a QASO. So if something goes catestrophically wrong, it is my privelege to go to jail for it.

Also on Friday, the Aviation Maintenance Officer stopped by the shop to hand me my CD/QAR designation letter, and made a brief speech. I mentioned CD/QAR a while ago; it means Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative, and it's the second-highest level of safety and supervision qualification in aviation maintenance. The only higher level is for specialists that do only safety inspection, and that job's limited to staff NCOs, so I won't be there anytime soon.

Anyway, the AMO in his talk pointed out that to the rest of the Corps, rank is what matters. A Corporal outranks a LCpl and is outranked by a Sergeant. But in aviation maintenance, qualifications are more important. My Gunny can tell me to mop the floor, sure. But if we're installing a first aid kit, I give him the orders, because I am a CD/QAR, and he's not.

Posted by: Boviate at 04:42 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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