SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Demonstrate understanding of the principles of mission command

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244638	Demonstrate understanding of the principles of mission command
ORIGINATOR
SGB Maritime Defence
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security			Safety in Society
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2018-07-01	2023-06-30	SAQA 06120/18
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This unit standard will be useful for people who have completed the introductory courses to warship safety management and bridge watch keeping within a naval context. These two qualifications are foundational for further progression as an officer into warship operations management, and ultimately to command and control in a maritime surface warfare environment.

This unit standard will give them the opportunity to develop and balance their practical command skills with the essential knowledge of principles of mission command needed to earn a formal qualification in Warfare Operations Management.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of ship structures and systems.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of mission command principles and practice.

Demonstrate understanding of the command aim and command priority requirements.

Support the command aim and priority.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that learners are competent in:

Communications at NQF Level 4.

Mathematics at NQF Level 4.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Demonstrate knowledge of ship structures and systems.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Key components of the ship are described and explained with reference to their importance in fighting the platform.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Changes to the ship's capabilities when key components are removed or reduced as the result of damage are described in terms of their impact on the ship's capabilities as a fighting force.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Recommendations with respect to ability to meet the command aim are realistic, and consistent with capability assessment.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of mission command principles and practice.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Knowledge of command organisation within the SANDF and allied maritime forces is accurate and defines clearly delegated authority, chains of command, and accountability as per SANDF and/or allied nations' regulations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Own scope of authority for action is explained in accordance with the command organisation, mission plan and current naval doctrine.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Interactions with team are consistent with accepted management and leadership principles. Leadership provided during operations builds own credibility as a team leader, and contributes to effective team functioning.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Interpersonal skills are used in a manner that promotes credibility among the stations, and minimises dysfunctional conflict.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Own knowledge and confidence with respect to systems and tactics enhances own capability for effective command.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Demonstrate understanding of the command aim and command priority requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Command aim and command priority are described and explained with reference to their purpose and their key differences.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

The command priority is explained in relation to mission requirements and provisions for detection, classification and weapon delivery. The explanation includes statements on the required readiness levels of weapons, machinery and equipment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The command aim for a specified context is explained with reference to the implications for the direction of the vessel, and its sensors and weapon systems.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Direction includes:

The specifics of float, move or fight.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

The possible need to adjust the command aim and/or priority during operations is explained with reference to damage to vessel structures, systems and operations while fighting the platform.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Support the command aim and priority.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

The command aim is clarified with the Commanding Officer, before communication to relevant officers in own team. Communication to own team is clear, concise, and promotes effective information transfer as required to team members.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Own responsibilities for the support of the command aim for a particular mission are described and explained in specific, realistic and measurable terms. The explanation includes details of delivery of force capability and time parameters for delivery, in line with overall mission objectives.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Command aims are evaluated against key ship system capabilities and limitations, and contingencies and scenarios developed for possible breakdowns and/or damage sustained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

The vessel's fighting capability is evaluated and updated in the light of damage reports and damage control and repair operations. Responses to threats and/or firing solutions for targets are consistent with current capability and adjusted command aim.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Information demands are established, and information communicated to Command ensures that knowledge of the capacity of the vessel to deliver to the command aim is accurate and up-to-date at all times.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredit as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.

Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies are specified otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

SOLAS Convention (specifically Chapter V).

STCW Convention (specifically Chapters II and VIII).

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

Notes to Assessors:

Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:

Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.

Make sure that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.

Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.

The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.

The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.

All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:

Every candidate for certification shall:

Be required to demonstrate the competence to undertake, at operational level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in the STCW Code (Table A-II/1).

At least hold an appropriate certificate for performing VHF radio-communications in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations.

If designated to have primary responsibility for radio-communications during distress incidents, hold an appropriate certificate issued or recognised under the provisions of the Radio Regulations.

In addition, every candidate for certification shall:

Be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in STCW Code (Table A-II/1).

Definition of Terms:

Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	58840	National Certificate: Submarine Operations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA
Core	64129	National Certificate: Warship Operations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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