Achieving Positive Cost Avoidance in the Employment of the Marine Corps Operator Driver Simulator

Abstract

This thesis develops a methodology and an estimate of the Marine Corps Operator Driver Simulator (ODS) training system cost-avoidance potential. It uses historical data on operations and sustainment (O&S) expenditures on the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement at each of the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) installations and Training and Education Command. This methodology aims to support the Program Manager of Training Systems as it seeks to understand how much ODS usage is required for the ODS site to achieve positive cost avoidance, given the number of vehicle operator authorizations. Using historical data on O&S expenditures, the number of vehicle operator authorizations, and exponential smoothing forecasting, the analysis estimates that positive cost avoidance can be achieved at each III MEF installation by implementing at minimum an 8-hour per year ODS training requirement in the motor vehicle operator training plan. This minimum requirement would achieve an estimated $1.4 million in positive cost avoidance across these installations. Given key performance parameters in the ODS Capabilities Production Document, each ODS site can support this quantity of training. This analysis provides decisionmakers with a data-backed methodology to support ODS training mandates for motor vehicle operators across the fleet.