With 'every pass being graded' how does that play out in the squadron? After you qual, if your trap GPA drops to low is that akin to failing a NATOPS check or an IX? What are the consequences? When to they kick in?
There's no official GPA you must maintain. It's mainly about keeping up with your peer group (i.e. nuggets, mid-level JOs, cruise-experienced JOs, DHs, and front offices). No one expects the FNG to show up and have a 3.8. Conversely, a Skipper with a 3.5 would be somewhat suspect. Also depends on if it's early on in the workup cycle or month 6 of cruise. Sustained sub-par performance relative to your peer group and a few bad passes behind the ship (usually at night) will result in some counseling from squadron LSOs. Show no improvement from there, and CAG Paddles will start spinning the wheels and you'll usually go back to the RAG for another round of CQ, or perhaps a FNAEB. But that's pretty rare, everyone understands that there's a learning curve and it takes time.
GPAs will also vary by air wing akin to fitrep scores. A 3.75 in one CVW might be great, but in another it may take a 3.93 to break into the Top Ten. There's also a Dirty Dozen that isn't made public at Follies, but rumor has it that those individuals get to sit down with senior leadership and chit-chat about why it's important not to suck, etc.
In the end, I think guys end up fitting into one of the following groups.
1) bottom feeder - isn't unsafe per se, but isn't consistent and probably doesn't possess the capability to fly the OK pass. is lucky to maintain a 3.0. lots of color on the greenie board.
2) fleet average - the guy who could go (OK) or OK depending on the circumstances/who was waving him. maybe some turds and bolters now and again.
3) solid dude - lots of OKs on the greenie board. as long as he has a good streak with no turds or bolters, definitely in contention for some patches
4) rock star - a 4.0 line period is a very real possibility. usually limited to DHs or CO/XOs with a good reputations among air wing JOPA. why is this so critical? the LSOs are JOs.
