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Since 1987, the Air Force has used the Strength Aptitude Test (SAT), a test of physical strength that uses the incremental lift machine, to screen and classify enlisted personnel into career specialties. In this study RAND evaluated the usefulness, validity, and fairness of the SAT--something not done for more than two decades. RAND's research focused on two areas. The first area was implementation of the SAT at military entrance processing stations. The researchers observed that SAT administration, while fairly consistent, could be improved: SAT machines need to be inventoried on a regular basis to identify and repair damage; a standardized training procedure is needed for all test administrators; and recruits need to be fully informed prior to taking the test as to its purpose and the value of preparation. The second area was the process for setting strength requirements for career fields. The researchers concluded that the method of collecting physical requirements information might be deficient because it involves only limited input. As an alternative, they developed and tested an online survey tool for defining strength requirements. The survey asked respondents in eight Air Force Specialties to describe aspects of the job's physical requirements that are vital for defining strength requirements. Analysis of the data collected validates the potential effectiveness of the survey, and the researchers suggest it can be used in conjunction with the Air Force's existing occupational analysis survey. Further, they recommend the Air Force establish a new method for calculating SAT scores.

Physical fitness --- Military & Naval Science --- Law, Politics & Government --- Air Forces --- Measurement --- Evaluation --- Endurance, Physical --- Fitness, Physical --- Physical endurance --- Physical stamina --- Stamina, Physical --- Exercise --- Health --- Physical education and training --- Sports sciences --- United States. --- Physical training. --- Personnel management. --- Strength Aptitude Test --- AF (Air force) --- Air Force (U.S.) --- U.S.A.F. (Air force) --- United States Air Force --- US Air Force --- USAF (Air force)

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U.S. Army families face not only challenges affecting all families but also those related to military service; the latter challenges may create new problems or exacerbate existing problems. The Army has recognized these unique challenges and implemented programs and services to help Army families and Army spouses, in particular. The authors of this report describe the results of the unique survey approach to understanding Army family program use through the lens of a problem-solving process. In the survey, completed by more than 8,500 Army spouses, participants received a list of specific challenges within nine problem domains, and spouses were asked to prioritize which two top problem domains contained the most significant problems they faced in the past year; what their top needs were for each problem; which resources, if any, they had contacted to meet the needs; and whether using those resources met their needs. Finally, respondents were asked about three specific outcomes — experience of stress, general attitudes toward the Army, and support for the soldier spouse remaining in the Army — and the authors analyzed the association between the problem-solving process and these three outcomes.

Army spouses --- Families of military personnel --- Attitudes. --- Services for --- United States. --- Military life.

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To effectively monitor the needs of U.S. Army families, evaluate whether Army programs and services are reaching those most in need, and inform policy decisions affecting families, the Army needs feedback from family members, particularly Army spouses. The Today's Army Spouse Panel (TASP) offers the opportunity for spouses of Army soldiers to provide valuable feedback for the Army to use in data-driven decisionmaking. A panel based on a survey sample drawn in 2018, used for a TASP proof-of-concept study, was no longer representative of the Army spouse population in 2022 in terms of soldier pay grade, presence or absence of dependent children, and whether respondents were living in the continental United States or outside it. This report describes the methodology used to refresh the panel to be representative of active-component Army spouses.

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Airmen, their families, and Air Force civilian employees face a range of personal and work-related challenges. To assist Air Force leaders and service providers in identifying the needs of their communities and prioritizing efforts to address them, the Air Force sponsored the 2017 Air Force Community Feedback Tool—a self-reported needs assessment of Air Force community members. The holistic approach asked participants about such issues as military practices and culture, work-life balance, and health and well-being (all chosen as top problems in the past year). The survey also asked about help-seeking behaviors, experiences with military and nonmilitary resources, and attitudes toward military resources and military life in general. A minority of those who reached out to resources had unmet needs, and survey responses suggested avenues to address these and other challenges. More than 88,000 active, guard, and reserve airmen; spouses of airmen; and Air Force civilian employees responded to the survey between August and October 2017. This report synthesizes results across the Air Force and draws lessons from the findings.

Airmen --- Air Force spouses --- Attitudes. --- Attitudes. --- United States. --- United States. --- United States. --- Military life. --- Airmen --- Attitudes. --- Civilian employees --- Attitudes.

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"The U.S. Air Force (AF) wanted to gain greater insight into the well-being of its members who have sustained mental or physical injuries in combat or combat-related situations, with an eye toward improving services provided and enabling wounded airmen to become fully functioning members of society. It also wanted to take advantage of ongoing research into how best to do so. Areas of interest include quality of life and the challenges that will impede wounded veterans' reintegration after they leave AF. AF asked RAND Project AIR FORCE to help gauge the current status of AF's wounded warriors, including their use of and satisfaction with AF programs designed to serve them. The research team surveyed AF wounded warriors (wave 1) and published the results in 2015. This report presents the analysis of the second such survey, called wave 2. The team developed a notional model that drove a survey that assessed well-being on a range of critical indicators. These indicators included psychological health, social support, housing instability, and perceived financial security. They also included questions to assess AF services used, focusing on the AF Wounded Warrior, AF Recovery Care Coordinator, and Family Liaison Officer programs. Because the programs were established relatively recently, this longitudinal investigation represents an independent program evaluation to determine the array and extent of the needs of intended program recipients, assess how well the program meets these needs, and suggest ways to improve the programs"--Publisher's description

Veteran reintegration --- Medical care --- Afghan War, 2001 --- -Iraq War, 2003-2011 --- Disabled veterans --- Veterans --- Homelessness --- Social surveys --- Needs assessment --- Services for --- Social conditions --- Mental health --- Employment --- United States. --- Airmen