Finishing Primary with a sub-35 NSS is easy. The SNA only meets MIF at the end of block and not before. They would be a textbook definition of a bottom feeder. They never fail/Unsat a flight but just scrape by meeting the required proficiency just in time. This scenario generates a sub-35 NSS every time. MPTS provides a means to highlight and subsequently attrite these students. An OPS directed IPC and subsequent command directed FPC can be given for this type of performance. It is there in the fine print if you look. Unfortunately, these are few and far between due to the fact that sufficient documention on the ATFs and proper justification for normal breaks in training become an issue when the CO and Commodore forward their recomendation to CNATRA. Very often these type of students are identified too late and the proper paperwork can't be put together that withstands the legal filter at the CNATRA level. Read this as the guy who would have to defend against subsequent legal action by a student's lawyer. So you forget and put the word good when you grade it a three? Every gradesheet is scrutinized and more students are recycled through training as a result of improper ATFs and inadequate documentation.
Keep in mind also that the goal is to attrite as soon as possible. Attriting a stud in the 26th week of a 27 week syllabus gets expensive and most of the time the squadron/wing caves to the pressure of the selection needed to meet IPP.
I am not saying this is right...it is what it is.
I wouldn't paint the lack of attrition as so poor. I've seen several command directed FPCs and it was regularly briefed to IPs as a method to get rid of those that weren't "failing" but weren't the best asset to move on to the fleet. From what I saw during my time at TW-5, as long as it was properly documented, the Commodore took the CO's recs to heart and did the right thing.
I'd also argue that a sub-NSS isn't always a bottom-feeder in Primary. Majority of the time? Yeah, probably. But sometimes guys don't adapt to the T-34 but go on to do great things in the HTs.
All nit-picks, no doubt, as overall, I agree w/ your message.
@Tom and Bean,
Thanks for the correction. I no longer have a MPTS at the ready and was too lazy to go looking for the electronic one.