I'd like to weigh in a bit on the Military ASRS discussion if I might.
I have been interviewing dozens of aviators on the subject since Vince and
I talked about it a few weeks ago and have found a somewhat solid front
across three areas which provides new challenges, but precious few
answers.
1. Flyers are concerned with the cultural component interfering with any
reporting system. One comment rang true. "If any of this were in the
public domain, we would be putting commander's careers at risk --
therefore they won't let it happen." Ergo: Can this system be
"semi-classified" or "privilidged" like current safety data. My guess is
it would not survive the first subpoena if it were. I say public or not
at all.
2. Current flyers think a military ASRS system is needed and a great
idea. Another quote. "If the system existed, I would use it and
hopefully role model my willingness to do so to younger pilots." If this
attitude is pervasive, it may be easier than we think to make this work.
Early marketing from "line swine" (I know, I know, the Chief of Staff
prohibited that term at the same time we were ordered to stop saying
"copilot" -- old SAC habits die hard) might be the best approach. We need
to identify key individuals to get the ball rolling, more on this in #3.
3. The flyers I interviewed agreed and applauded the with the need for
constant feedback from a "fair broker." Even if the sales job is done
well, the program will live or die on its merits. Easy to read and
understand quarterly publications might do the trick, but a slicker
approach like the current "Callback" or "Directline" thematic approaches
seem more likely to succeed.
So who is the "fair broker?" Toughest of all questions and the single key
to military acceptance. She/he/they will walk a tightrope between
"telling it as it is" and "airing dirty laundry" -- one step over the line
and an embarrassed flag officer can trash the whole effort. My
recommendation would be a small group of active duty, Reserve, and Guard
flyers, from a variety of flight crew positions and aircraft, who already
have an established reputation for fairness and integrity in their
repective career fields. They MIGHT have the blend of talents and
sophistication to get the ball rolling without a set of crosshairs on
their foreheads from military public affairs or a paranoid command
structure.
Just my two cents
Tony