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                       DESERT SHIELD/STORM LESSONS LEARNED REPORT #H

         POC:                  [(b)(2)]

         TITLE: MPA Manday Problems
         
         OBSERVATION: Although there was a successful medical MPA
         manday program functioning during normal operations, the
         transition to contingency operations caused several
         problems.
         
         DISCUSSION: There were several problems in the beginning.
         At first HQ USAF/DPPP was slow to allocate mandays to us.
         Then there was some sort of systems problem where the
         allocation was given to the wrong account. Another problem
         was that HQ ARPC/SG could not use tour title code FX in the
         manday accounting system. This code was for HQ USAF use
         only, but was known throughout the Air Force to be
         associated with Operation Desert Shield/Storm. We ended up
         using code 21 (exercises). This created an overabundance
         of confusion in the field (many unnecessary telephone
         calls). An emergency systems change could have saved a
         great deal of hassle. Another problem was the field in the
         manday accounting system for mean code. The field allowed
         for only three spaces. Once we went over 999 tours, the
         mean code was meaningless. If we wanted to continue using
         mean code for accounting and tracking purposes we could
         not. Again, an emergency systems change could have stopped
         many unnecessary telephone calls and confusion. There was
         also a problem with whether or not the 139 day limit
         started prior to or at the beginning of the fiscal year.
         Verbal guidance from HQ USAF/DPPP was to ignore the
         regulation that stated the 139 days crossed fiscal years.
         This guidance would not be taken (especially by HQ
         ARPC/DROC, responsible for publishing IMA MPA tour orders)
         unless it was in writing. The needed written guidance from
         HQ USAF/DPPP never came down. The requirement to
         individually identify each member who required a waiver of
         the 139 day MPA manday limit was another cumbersome
         excercise. A mass waiver could have been given and
         relieved this problem.
         
         LESSONS LEARNED: The MPA manday program, as it currently
         operates, is extremely cumbersome for a contingency of this
         volume. In future contingencies, if a volunteer program is
         used, greater flexibility and more timely response is
         necessary.
         
         RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: HQ USAF/DPPP and the systems people
         at AFMPC may want to explore the possibility of swift
         

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