Several significant benefits are derived from the PQS program, such as the following: Establishing individual qualification goals and time tables Effectively monitoring and recording individual qualification progress Managing overall training programs Establishing  a  library  of  technical references and training materials Establishing  a  program  to  prepare supervisory personnel as PQS qualifiers Telling the trainees what they must learn Placing the responsibility for learning on the trainees Providing  a  specific  knowledge  and task inventory that can be used at all levels to evaluate combat readiness Each PQS requirement is designed to guide trainees toward a specific qualification goal by telling them exactly what they must learn to achieve that goal. Each qualification standard is divided into the following three main subdivisions: 100 Series—Fundamentals 200  Series—Systems 300  Series—Watch  Station/Maintenance Action THE 100 SERIES—FUNDAMENTALS Each PQS begins with a Fundamentals (100 Series) section.    This  section  covers  basic knowledge needed to understand the specific equipment or duties and provides an analysis of those fundamentals that broadly apply. The Fundamentals section serves as a self-study aid for the trainee who has not received formal school training or for the graduate who wishes to review the subject matter taught in the school. A portion of the Fundamentals section of each PQS may be devoted to expanding the trainee’s vocabulary by calling for definitions of technical terms used throughout the standard. Because the safety of personnel is always a concern, the first Fundamentals section of each PQS addresses the safety precautions that must be mastered before performing the watch station/work station or maintenance action requirements. Specific or unique safety precautions that apply to a particular piece of equipment or system are addressed in the Systems section (200 Series) of each PQS. THE 200 SERIES—SYSTEMS In the Systems (200 Series) section, each PQS breaks down the subject equipment or duties into smaller, more easily understood sections called systems. When the equipment or duties are broken down, many smaller functional systems are revealed for in-depth study. Simpler systems can be identified and quickly covered. This permits greater emphasis on a more significant or complex system. A system is arranged for learning in two levels, components and component parts. The trainee needs only to master these levels to be able to analyze and understand the organization of the equipment or duties. A PQS will list only those items that must be understood for proper operation and/or maintenance. It will not include every item appearing on a parts list in the technical manuals. PQS requirements follow the law of primacy (first things first). If the trainees focus on learning how the equipment functions during operation, they will be better able to identify problems as they develop or even before they occur. Trainees taught in this manner should also be able to successfully control or prevent casualties. THE 300 SERIES—WATCH STATION/MAINTENANCE ACTION This section tests the trainee’s readiness to perform a designated task. The terminology used in the PQS considers a sailor to be “on watch” whenever operating equipment, whether “on shift, “ “on call,”  or “in the shop.” The goal of the Watch Station/Maintenance Action section is to guide the trainee in categorizing, analyzing, and performing the step-by-step procedures required to qualify. IMPLEMENTING PQS PQS serves as an excellent framework upon which to build a unit’s training and qualification program. However,    if PQS implementation consists of little more than issuing PQS materials 4-9