As a result of standardization and fiscal inefficiencies, the US Air Force designated the AOC as a weapon system four years ago to improve its condition. Since then, this classification has sparked multiple efforts to advance AOC training. One such effort that has caught the interest of many in the Air Force, including the current Chief of Staff of the Air Force, is competency-based research conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory Warfighter Training Research Division, Aptima Incorporated, and the Group for Organizational Effectiveness (gOE). Detailed competency-based knowledge, skill, and experience requirements have been identified for individuals working throughout the AOC, from the Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) down through each position within four of the five major divisions of the AOC.

While the AOC training research efforts have been focused at the division and JFACC levels, this paper will leverage both approaches to begin to identify overall implications for AOC operator training. More specifically, the competencies, knowledge, skills, and experiences will be compared and contrasted across the four divisions. Special emphasis will be given to how these coincide with or differ from the JFACC analysis effort. In addition, a comprehensive inventory of AOC training requirements will be developed from this analysis along with recommendations for competency-based training for AOC operators at all levels of responsibility. Finally, as progress is made towards automated and enhanced training performance measurement, this analysis will help drive several efforts in targeted training tool development for AOC operators and teams.