Naval Aviation Supply Corps pin

The Naval Aviation Supply Officer (NASO) is the warfare insignia and professional qualification that U.S.Navy Navy Supply Corps commissioned and warrant officers have an opportunity to earn when assigned to an aviation-related "billet" (AKA job assignment). Billets include assignment on board an aircraft carrier as the Principle Assistant-Logistics ("PAL"), the S-6 Aviation Supply Division Officer / Ass't S-6, a Squadron Supply Officer (usually limited to RAGs or the Blue Angels), or on board a Naval Air Station (NAS) in the Aviation Support Division (ASD).

Aviation supply is one of the most critical logistics capabilities in the Navy. Without repairable and consumable parts on hand to maintain tactical aircraft, the Navy's ability to deliver combat capability and protect carrier strike groups on deployment would be severely hindered. As such, aviation supply status maintains the highest visibility, demonstrably by being briefed every single morning to the top decision makers in the Navy to identify and address issues in the system.

The objective of the NASO program is to develop a dedicated, cohesive and uniquely qualified cadre of Naval Supply Corps officers who bring the highest level of competence to the management of Naval aviation supply support, thus enhancing the Navy’s ability to achieve optimum levels of operational readiness.

The Navy relies on its NASO-qualified professionals to ensure aviation readiness is maintained at the maximum available level. Maintaining the NASO qualification ensures that it will have a strong pool of talent available for the future.

Obtaining a warfare qualification is a necessary step in continued career progression and mobility for both active and reserve Supply Corps officers. One of the most obvious "career killers" to promotion or command/graduate/Sea Select/special assignment boards is the lack of a warfare qualification when you had the opportunity to earn on during a current or previous assignment.

The NASO differs from other Supply Corps warfare qualifications in that it is heavily focused on SUPPLY functions with a lesser emphasis on OPERATIONAL functions (you are not expected to fly a Helo on a VERTREP, just explain the supply-side of the evolution), whereas the Surface, Submarine, and SeaBee supply warfare qualifications require you to be pointedly focused and fully competant on ship, submarine, or combat field operations with a smaller degree of supply side knowledge.

Program Requirements - Active Component(AC)

The requirements for active component Supply Corps officers are spelled out in OPNAVINST 1542.5B, 'NAVAL AVIATION SUPPLY OFFICER (NASO) PROGRAM' (see link below). An officer must be assigned to a qualifying billet by their Detailer at Naval Personnel Command (NPC). Qualifying "sea" billets include S-6 division on board an Aircraft Carrier, Amphibious Assault Ship (LPH/LHD/LHA), or V/H designated squadron; qualifying "shore" billets are at the Aviation Supply Detachment (ASD) at a Naval Air Station (NAS) and in limited cases, at the type command (TYCOM) headquarters, COMNAVAIRFOR (NAS North Island, San Diego, CA or NS Norfolk, VA).

Upon reporting aboard, the officer should notify his/her immediate chain of command of the intention to enroll in the NASO program. Prepare a letter of matriculation and Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M) from the templates below and submit with a request chit through your chain of command.

Program Requirements - Reserve Component(RC)

The requirements for reserve component Supply Corps officers are also spelled out in OPNAVINST 1542.5B(see link below), but differ somewhat from the active component in both time and focus due to the inherent differences in experience level gained during active duty / full time employment vice drill weekend and AT training experience that Reserve officers receive.

While active duty Supply Corps officers can immediately matriculate into the program upon assignment to a qualifying billet, Reserve Supply Corps officers must first locate one of the few qualifying 3-year billets available with the existing NAVAIRFOR N41 reserve logistics support units (NOSC San Diego/NAS North Island, NOSC Whidbey Island, NOSC Norfolk/NAS Chambers Field) and affiliate with the reserve unit holding that billet, all before submitting a program matriculation request letter.

Upon finally being accepted into the NASO program via the COMNAVAIRFOR N41, the candidate must complete the entire PQS program and perform three 2-week Annual Training (AT) periods within 2 years at the following aviation supply activities: (1) on board an aircraft carrier / amphibious assault ship that is operating underway and performing air operations, (2) at a NAS ASD & FRC, and (3) at the COMNAVAIRFOR TYCOM headquarters. Upon completing all requirements and drilling in the billet for a minimum of 2 years, the candidate may request a board be held (see SECNAVINST 1500.38 for more details).

Personal Qualification Standard (PQS)

The NASO PQS consists of 3 sections (Supply, Technical, and Air Operations) covering a variety of administrative, functional, and operational areas that an aviation supply officer must be highly knowledgeable in. Questions are designed to force the candidate to understand both basic concepts, practical application, and technical understanding. Seeking the help from your Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS)-qualified personnel (SK3, SK2, SK1, and Chiefs), and NASO-qualified fellow officers to answer each question will both help you learn the material and understand how concepts relate to day-to-day operations.

It is also helpful to draw process flow charts to assist in understanding the steps involved in processing repairable and consumable parts, and documenting all phases of component life cycle. Understanding the functions of every workcenter in ASD and FRC are necessary to passing the oral board.

Qualification Board

Once you have completed the PQS booklet and have obtained all section signatures, and you are confident in your knowledge, it's time to lay the groundwork for the oral exam. Begin by notifying your chain of command or NASO sponsor. You'll want to schedule a 30-60 minute meeting with each member of your board to inquire into what areas they expect you to know and will test you on.

After researching and studying each area your board members have told you to study, schedule your preliminary "murder board" with a board consisting of qualified senior representatives from FRC/AIMD, Air Wing Maintenance Dept, and a NASO-qualified Supply Officer at your command. Let them give you a thorough test first; most NASO board sponsors (SUPPO, AMO, and WINGMO) require that candidates satisfactorily pass a trial board before being given permission to request a final qualification live oral board.

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! Know all the material your board members indicated they expect you to know during the oral board. Questions can range from diagramming the full life cycle of a repairable part, knowing the history and aircraft models of every squadron in the air wing, to explaining the difference between a BCM-2 and BCM-7 code.

Once you pass at least 1 murder board to the complete satisfaction of the board member's representatives, you can request the final oral qualification board.

The Board

The day of reckoning has arrived - you have studied, prepared, blew away 2 trial murder boards, and the scheduled day has arrived. But don't dare walk in to the board empty handed. If the board is scheduled during the morning hours, arrange to have hot coffee brewed from premium grounds, fresh pastries or doughnuts, as well as cold sodas and energy drinks on ice available to the board members. If it's a lunchtime board, order a tray of mini-subs from the commissary, Costco, or Sam's; serve w/ chips and sodas. An afternoon board should have cookies, energy drinks, and coffee. Ignore this advice at your own risk of ridicule and peril!

The board will start in questioning you on (usually) their specific areas of function or operation. Don't go long-winded on a question - answer it directly and succinctly, else you risk reaching beyond your knowledge and getting pinged. Sound confident, but not overly, in every answer. It doesn't hurt to precede your answers by "I believe..." or "To my understanding, this..." because it allows you wiggle room for mistakes, misunderstandings, or knowledge deficiencies.

You've Passed!

Congratulations! Ensure the baord members sign the last 2 pages of the PQS, and have your Admin office prepare a Page 13 entry and Letter of Designation (see links below) to be sent to NPC/BUPERS to be entered in your permanent record. The NASO pin costs around $12 at the Exchange, recommend 2, 1 for daily wear and the other for dress ceremonies. Have your CO pin you publicly at Quarters as you have watched so many of your Enlisted team members get pinned the EAWS.

Helpful Documents

[http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/01000%20Military%20Personnel%20Support/01-500%20Military%20Training%20and%20Education%20Services/1542.5B.pdf] - NASO Policy Document

See also

Naval Aviation Supply Corps insignia