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                  DESERT SHIELD/STORM LESSONS LEARNED REPORT #A

          POC:                /SGR  [(b)(2)]

          TITLE:        Personnel Data Systems - Utilization of Appropriate
          Personnel Resources

          OBSERVATION: An overwhelming amount of unnecessary work
          and time was spent correcting PDS rejects for call-up and
          mobilization transactions.

          DISCUSSION: Personnel data system mobilization transaction
          input was not clearly explained or practiced by personnel
          responsible for transactions due to the QST hit and miss
          approach. The technicians in SGP are not OPR for any
          system transaction inputs and thus do not have the
          familiarity or training required to efficiently process
          these transactions. SG is not aware of the overall flow of
          the personnel data system and should not be expected to be
          experts on these mobilization transactions. In past
          systems tests, mass MAJCOM mobilization was tested. This
          contingency, however, required individual transactions.
          Each member had to be SURFed prior to any transaction input
          to avoid rejects. This was time consuming and the
          requirement was unknown to the technicians in the
          beginning. Insufficient training and no outside QC made
          accuracy difficult. The situation was compounded by delays
          and exemptions causing manually produced orders versus
          systems generated orders. The systems input for the
          mobilization of the IRR and retired regular members went
          very smoothly, apparently because the transactions were
          accomplished by DPRA, the office with the everyday
          experience and knowledge.

          LESSONS LEARNED: Individuals with the knowledge and
          training in an area of expertise should be the ones to
          perform actions in that area.

          RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: If SG is required to input these
          transactions in the future, quarterly systems tests should
          be more extensive and held quarterly and not delayed to
          provide the training and familiarity necessary. An even
          more appropriate option would be to assign all mobilization
          systems transaction inputs to an office with the
          appropriate training, knowledge, and familiarity who
          understand the intricacies of the PDS system.

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