MILLINGTON, Tenn. (Dec. 4, 2009) Nine officers assigned to Navy Personnel Command were among the first Sailors Navy-wide to receive the Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer (PAMO) warfare designator during a ceremony Dec. 4. The PAMO qualification recognizes the significant contributions made by aviation ground officers supporting the Navy's aviation mission and war fighting capabilities. The PAMO community is comprised of aerospace maintenance duty officers, aviation maintenance limited duty officers, and aviation maintenance chief warrant officers. U.S. Navy photo by MC1 LaTunya Howard

New warfare designator making its way to the fleet
12/8/2009
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Nine officers at Navy Personnel Command were among the first Sailors Navy-wide to receive the Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer (PAMO) warfare designator during a ceremony Dec. 4.

"I think it signifies the commitment to excellence in our community. Aviation maintenance is our forte," said Cmdr. Bill Edge, the aerospace maintenance duty officer detailer at NPC, after receiving his PAMO warfare device.

The PAMO qualification recognizes the significant contributions made by aviation ground officers in support of the Navy's aviation mission and warfighting capabilities.

"We did not have a professional warfare designator before. This is our first opportunity, and it is pretty historic for the community," said Edge.

The actual warfare device is a gold and silver metal showing the silver eagle and shield superimposed over gold aviation wings with a gold banner depicting aero maintenance.

Officers must have significant experience and display a high level of knowledge in all aspects of aviation warfare support, complete a PAMO personnel qualification standard and pass an oral board. Requirements include a minimum of 24 months at both an organizational and intermediate-level maintenance activity while assigned in an aviation maintenance officer billet and one operational deployment of at least 90 days.

Commander Naval Air Forces, Aircraft Maintenance Policy Officer is the final approval authority for all PAMO designators. To date 365 officers have qualified to wear this new insignia.

The PAMO community is comprised of aerospace maintenance duty officers, aviation maintenance limited duty officers, and aviation maintenance chief warrant officers.

Complete eligibility requirements can be found in OPNAVINST. 1412.11.