Manning assistance may also be possible. If effectively justified, an optometrist from another base would be tasked to assist your clinic temporarily. Again, this offers the added benefit of working with an individual who is already familiar with processes or programs unique to the Air Force. He or she may be able to offer another perspective on options that you might have. These individuals may be temporary or permanent.
Flexibility is the key.
Many optometry-specific tasks may be taught to eager, unskilled workers. If your rapport is good, you might be able to share the skills of a technician initially trained in optometry. If you are significantly downsized, all other additional duties should take second priority. Our role is to keep the warfighter seeing and fighting, whether in an F-16, Security Forces car or behind a computer. In the end, everything else is extraneous.