Performance and Job Task Demands of Special Tactics Support Airmen

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

BACKGROUND The ST squadrons select direct and combat mission support airmen from the larger Air Force. These military occupational specialties (MOS) can include explosive ordinance disposal technicians, dog handlers, tactical systems operators, human support teams, information operators, weapons instruction, vehicle maintenance, parachute riggers, and radio operations. Although these airmen complete a combat mission support competency course and/or a direct support training course to ensure technical proficiency of the ST mission support, there is no established physical performance standard outside of the larger Air Force (AFMAN 36-2905). However, the responsibilities of these airmen include enabling operators to execute their assigned missions, be familiar with the weapons, vehicles, and technologies used at the ST unit, have basic deployable skills, and be physically and mentally fit. ST units are ground- based fighting elements, and these support airmen must be physically prepared to operate in austere environments effectively and safely. In addition to physical performance preparedness that has been integrated and grown within the USSOCOM components through POTFF initiatives, ST support engage in different day-to-day occupational task demands that are unique to each MOS. There is a lack of understanding in how these ST support airmen also may develop musculoskeletal pain or injury through occupational tasks that could also be addressed through existing human performance and health support resources. While most of the physical readiness and injury mitigation research has focused on the SOF operator, the evidence to develop optimize physical readiness for ST support airmen from the larger air force is lacking. A scientific approach and development of an occupational task analyses, physical assessment, and intervention selection framework would enable AFSOC and USAF commands to quantify the physical capacities required for specific occupational specialties that would be needed to inform physical readiness standards and develop MOS-specific physical readiness training program tailored for these warfighters. SPECIFIC AIMS Aim 1: Use historical data to quantify musculoskeletal injury patterns and reported mechanisms within ST support airmen 1 Aim 2: Profile the physical and physiological demands of ST support airmen during a variety of training activities (at the unit and in remote training environments) Aim 3: Develop a preliminary framework that the broader Air Force can use to conduct a job task analysis within any unit or MOS and generate intervention action plans MILITARY RELEVANCE: Previous research has shown how the adaptation of physical fitness and human performance programming to the specific demands of service members duties can reduce injury incidence, optimize physical readiness, enhance resilience and increase ST’s ability to achieve its military objectives. Once discrepancies between task and demand and airmen physical and musculoskeletal characteristics are identified, command leadership and human performance assets at each ST unit will have data to guide policies and programming for these airmen. The most critical deliverable of the proposed project will be the development of the ST support physical readiness training program. Integrating support airmen into the resources of the human performance program at the squadrons is critical for the development and maintenance of health, performance, and retention of these airmen. However, without clear programming, standards, and human performance training goals that are duty-specific, similar to what has been targeted in the SOF operator populations, the optimization of support airmen will not be possible. The Special Tactics Vision 2030 states that Special Tactics “must be considered a Weapons System to institutionalize the force amongst major Air Force programs.” The prioritization of all aspects of the human weapons system, including support airmen assets, is critical for the overall optimization of ST. 2
StatusActive
Effective start/end date9/29/239/28/28

Funding

  • Air Force Materiel Command: $6,752,243.00

Fingerprint

Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.