I wish Myth Busters would do a show on NSS-isms…
Anyway, I don’t see why some people get bent out of shape if a guy/gal wants to know how the system works. I say why not? It is the system you are forced to live in so I would think you want to be as educated as possible about it, no?
Can you change it much? No, you have very little input. You can control some very small things besides just your flying. Although that is taboo to say. And when you get done and your NSS drops 17 points or whatever the delta happens to be, if you actually understand the system, maybe it won’t be such a shock. Personally, I don’t like surprises like that. So if you don’t want to be wrapped up about how the system you are subjected to works, fine. I know I wanted to know.
The PC answer is and probably always has been, “Just do your best!!!!!!!”
Yay!!!!! How nice. But I still want to know why some dude who selected the week before me and was a total ham-fisted flyer had 12 points added on to his NSS. Or vice versa. I also want to know why it is better to have fewer items graded on a flight in MPTS, or how the squadron average is going to affect me. Like I said earlier, there are some minor things you can affect.
I didn’t have a total zen understanding of the MPTS NSS system, but I tried to get a good understanding of it. And although it didn’t really change anything, I’m glad I at least had a tiny understanding if the system that was dictating my fate.
And when people start giving you crap about wanting to understand the grading system because having the knowledge won’t change anything, ask them how useful it is to their flying to know where the AC compressor is in the T-34 engine bay.
Moving on….
In primary there is just the MPTS system (if Vance uses it, too). But in advanced there are still different grading systems. And in Jets, you can attrite based on NSS. You can say it is really the recommendation of the CO or whatever all you want, but a low NSS will not be kept, even if the instructors say he gets what is going on. On the Marine side they will boot a 34.X at the end of advanced. Sounds silly, but it is true.
Can’t speak to Helo land, or Props.
BUT I realize this is in the primary forum, so feel free to disregard my last…