VIKTA Maintainer Competency Matrix

Career Development Pathway — Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Maintainer

Author: Ed Reif — Instructional Systems Designer

Version: 1.0

Date: August 28, 2025

Executive Summary

FAQ

Study Guide

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From Apprentice to Master — Audio Briefing

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Advanced NDT Certification Available Predictive Analytics Module Updated Sea Trial Certification Requirements Released Master Maintainer Program Enrollment Open CBM Dashboard Training Sessions Weekly

Progress Track

Three-tier progression aligned to maritime tradition and Special Forces standards. Color-coded tiers and certification badges reinforce identity and pride in mastery.

Tier I

Apprentice Maintainer

Learn to see the craft. Execute protocols faithfully. Build procedural confidence and safety discipline.

CAM Certified Apprentice Maintainer

Scope & Outcomes

• Modules: 1, 2 (basic), 4 (battery basics), 6 (protocols)
• Milestones: Safety certs, supervised hull inspection, battery sim
• Mindset: Guardian of readiness basics

Tier II

Journeyman Maintainer

Learn to anticipate the craft. Diagnose systems, interpret telemetry, manage configuration.

CJM Certified Journeyman Maintainer

Scope & Outcomes

• Modules: 2 (advanced NDT), 3, 4 (diagnostics), 5, 7
• Milestones: Functional test, data-backed report, CBM tool cert
• Mindset: Proactive problem solver

Tier III

Master Maintainer

Own the craft. Lead teams, run sea trials, drive design-feedback loops and safety culture.

CMM Certified Master Maintainer

Scope & Outcomes

• Modules: 3 (integration), 5 (strategy), 6 (leadership), 8
• Milestones: Lead sea trial cycle, RCA & CAPA report, board review
• Mindset: Custodian of operational excellence

Competency Matrix (Skills × Tiers × Assessment)

Map of core competencies across tiers with corresponding assessment instruments. Use this for certification and workforce development planning.

Skill Area	Apprentice CAM	Journeyman CJM	Master CMM	Assessment Tools
Hull & Structural Integrity	Visual inspections, checklists, basic composite care.	Advanced NDT (ultrasound, thermography), micro-fracture ID, structural repairs.	Lead inspection programs, advise on composite improvements, mission-readiness sign-off.	Observation checklists; NDT practical; sea-trial inspection sign-off.
Propulsion & Energy Management	Battery safety & charging; power checks.	Propulsion fault diagnosis; electrical distribution troubleshooting; redundancy drills.	Lead propulsion recovery during trials; energy management strategy oversight.	Battery handling certification; diagnostic simulation; sea-trial evaluation.
Fly-By-Wire Control Systems	Follow calibration procedures; basic software awareness.	Actuator maintenance; sensor calibration; firmware version control.	System-level integration leadership; mentor diagnostics; advise design teams.	Simulation scenarios; versioning logs; integration board review.
Data-Driven Maintenance (CBM & Predictive)	Record telemetry; input condition reports.	Interpret CBM dashboards; run predictive algorithms; trend analysis.	Lead predictive strategy; validate models with engineers; set intervals.	Analytics case study; CBM simulation; strategic report submission.
Risk Management & Safety	Apply LOTO; PPE; incident reporting.	Lead toolbox talks; conduct RCA; enforce compliance.	Shape safety culture; chair incident reviews; align with regs.	Safety drills; RCA evaluation; leadership safety interview.
Documentation & Configuration Management	Use manuals; follow configuration procedures.	Draft reports; update CM systems; cross-team collaboration.	Lead CM processes; approve changes; represent in design reviews.	Documentation audit; CM simulation; peer review.
Trials, Testing & Continuous Improvement	Support post-maintenance functional testing.	Conduct & document sea-trial maintenance tasks.	Lead sea-trial cycles; mentor team; drive design feedback.	Sea-trial logs; scenario evals; feedback integration review.
Leadership & Mentorship	Demonstrate reliability & discipline.	Mentor apprentices; contribute to peer learning.	Lead teams; certify others; advise engineers & command.	Peer feedback; mentorship logs; leadership board.

Tier Transition Requirements

Apprentice → Journeyman

• Pass safety certifications (battery, hull, control systems)
• Complete supervised maintenance logbook
• Demonstrate CBM data entry and reporting accuracy

Journeyman → Master

• Lead one full maintenance cycle (inspection → sea trial)
• Submit RCA & CAPA report with data-backed findings
• Mentor two apprentices with documented outcomes
• Pass leadership board review (scenario-based judgment)

Assessment & Evidence of Competence

Evidence is the difference between intention and readiness. Use these instruments to verify competence at each tier.

Simulation Drills

For Apprentices: Procedural confidence, battery handling, hull inspection practice.

Hands-On Practical

For Journeymen: Diagnostics, telemetry interpretation, configuration changes.

Sea-Trial Leadership

For Masters: Team command, system integration, readiness sign-off.

Documentation Audits

All Levels: Discipline in compliance, quality of reporting.

"At sea, the craft is alive. Readiness is a culture, not a checkbox." — Ed Reif

Your Learning Progress

Overview

Certifications

Achievements

Current Level: Apprentice Maintainer

Progress: 35% Complete | Next Milestone: Safety Certification

Complete: Basic Safety Protocols Complete

In Progress: Battery Handling Certification In Progress

Pending: Hull Inspection Methods Pending

Perfect Safety Record - 30 days

Completed 5 Learning Modules

Mentored 2 New Apprentices

Tier 1: Apprentice Maintainer

Foundation Level - "Learning to See the Craft"

At this stage, maintainers are initiated into the world of subsea systems. The emphasis is on awareness, procedural discipline, and safe handling.

Core Modules +

• Module 1: Introduction to Subsea Craft and Collaborative Context
• Module 2: Hull and Structural Integrity (basic inspection tasks)
• Module 4: Propulsion and Energy Management (battery handling basics)
• Module 6: Operational Safety & Compliance (protocol adoption)

Tier 2: Journeyman Maintainer

Operational Level - "Learning to Anticipate the Craft"

This level transforms maintainers into proactive troubleshooters who understand VIKTA as a system of systems.

Advanced Modules +

• Module 2: Hull and Structural Integrity (advanced NDT techniques)
• Module 3: Fly-By-Wire Control System Mastery
• Module 4: Propulsion and Energy Management (advanced diagnostics)
• Module 5: Data-Driven Maintenance and Predictive Analytics

Tier 3: Master Maintainer

Strategic Leadership Level - "Owning the Craft"

Masters embody mastery—they lead teams, influence design improvements, and anchor VIKTA's operational reliability at a strategic level.

Leadership Modules +

• Module 3: Fly-By-Wire Control System (system-level integration)
• Module 5: Predictive Analytics and Simulation-Assisted Diagnostics
• Module 6: Risk Management (leadership in safety culture)
• Module 8: Trials, Testing, and Continuous Improvement

VIKTA Maintainer & Crew Competency Briefing

1. Executive Summary

VIKTA has implemented two distinct yet complementary competency frameworks: one for Maintainers and another for Submarine Crew. Both systems utilize a three-tier progression model aligned with maritime tradition and Special Forces standards, emphasizing structured learning, practical application, and rigorous assessment.

2. VIKTA Maintainer Competency Matrix

2.1 Core Philosophy & Structure

• Tier I: Apprentice Maintainer (CAM) – "Learn to see the craft." Focus on procedural confidence and safety discipline.
• Tier II: Journeyman Maintainer (CJM) – "Learn to anticipate the craft." Focus on diagnosis, interpretation, and configuration management.
• Tier III: Master Maintainer (CMM) – "Own the craft." Focus on leadership, sea trials, design feedback, and safety culture.
• Overarching Principle: "At sea, the craft is alive. Readiness is a culture, not a checkbox." — Ed Reif

3. VIKTA Submarine Crew Training Escape Room

• Gamified Learning: "Beat the clock, solve systems puzzles, and execute the surface → subsurface mission without exceeding your strike limit."
• Mission Structure: Five rooms in sequence, 20-minute timer, maximum 3 strikes (errors).
• Competency Tiers: Foundation, Intermediate, and Expert levels with progressive complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the VIKTA Maintainer Competency Matrix? +

The VIKTA Maintainer Competency Matrix is a career development pathway designed to cultivate skilled maintainers for the VIKTA submarine. It outlines a structured progression from Apprentice to Journeyman to Master Maintainer, providing a clear roadmap for skill acquisition, assessment, and certification.

What are the three tiers and their core philosophies? +

Apprentice Maintainer (Tier I): Focuses on "Learning to See the Craft," emphasizing faithful execution of protocols and safety discipline.

Journeyman Maintainer (Tier II): Concentrates on "Learning to Anticipate the Craft," involving system diagnosis and configuration management.

Master Maintainer (Tier III): Aims for "Owning the Craft," where individuals lead teams and foster safety culture.

How does the VIKTA Escape Room contribute to mission readiness? +

It uses gamification to enhance readiness by simulating submarine operations under pressure. Operators solve systems puzzles, execute surface-to-subsurface missions, and demonstrate emergency proficiency within time and strike constraints.

VIKTA Maintainer Q&A Study Guide

Q1: What is the purpose of the VIKTA Maintainer Competency Matrix?

The VIKTA Maintainer Competency Matrix is a career development pathway designed to cultivate skilled maintainers for the VIKTA submarine. It outlines a structured progression from Apprentice to Journeyman to Master Maintainer.

overview pathway certification

Q2: What are the three tiers and their core philosophies?

Apprentice: "Learning to See the Craft" - Guardian of readiness basics. Journeyman: "Learning to Anticipate the Craft" - Proactive problem solver. Master: "Owning the Craft" - Custodian of operational excellence.

tiers philosophy mindset

Q3: What are the prerequisites for advancing from Apprentice to Journeyman?

Pass safety certifications (battery, hull, control systems); complete supervised maintenance logbook; demonstrate accuracy in CBM data entry and reporting.

progression CBM certification