Modeling the Rated Force Using Network Flow and Goal Programming Techniques

摘要

The purpose of this thesis was to develop a model which accurately represents the rated officer force and which has the flexibility to represent how different assignment policies affect the system. The managers at the Air Force Military Personnel Center were interested in modeling the rated officer flight gate system. Flight gates are milestones that must be achieved at certain points of a rated officer's career. This research resulted in selection of a single commodity network flow model with side constraints which also incorporates goal programming techniques. The basic network is designed to represent the rotation of rated officers between flying and nonflying duties. The only flows within the network which have costs associated with them are flows which lead to nonachievement of a flight gate. The objective function is a combination of pure flow cost minimization and minimization of deviation variables associated with various goals. Initial results indicate the model offers managers the ability to evaluate conflicting assignment policies. Model shortcomings that need further study include the computer run time and modeling attrition as a dynamic process. (KR)