Report
Tailoring Medical Standards for Air Force Personnel
To serve in the U.S. military, individuals must meet medical standards to ensure that they are fit to serve. The authors explore the implications to U.S. Air Force culture of tailoring such standards to expand or limit the pool of qualified personnel.
Apr 8, 2021
Report
A Review of the Air Force Fitness Assessment
This report presents an overview of research relevant to U.S. Air Force fitness assessment components to ensure readiness of personnel, support the National Defense Strategy, and promote a culture of health and well-being across the U.S. Air Force.
Apr 6, 2021
Report
Compensation and Benefits for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workers: A Comparison of the Federal Government and the Private Sector
The authors compare salary, benefits, and employment for federal and private-sector workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They analyze data, present findings on STEM and non-STEM workers, and make recommendations.
Jan 19, 2021
Report
Advancement and Retention Barriers in the U.S. Air Force Civilian White Collar Workforce: Implications for Demographic Diversity
This report documents results of a study examining challenges that Air Force civilian women, racial/ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities may face in advancing to higher pay grades as well as factors influencing retention decisions.
Sep 3, 2020
Report
Software Acquisition Workforce Initiative for the Department of Defense: Initial Competency Development and Preparation for Validation
To support U.S. Department of Defense goals to improve software acquisition, the authors develop a competency model, review training and education courses, and present options for tracking and managing the software acquisition workforce.
Mar 31, 2020
Report
Physical Task Simulations: Performance Measures for the Validation of Physical Tests and Standards for Battlefield Airmen
This report describes RAND's assistance to the Air Force in designing physical task simulations to evaluate the physical capabilities required to perform critical physical tasks in six battlefield airmen occupational specialties.
Feb 20, 2020
Report
Improving U.S. Military Accession Medical Screening Systems
The project team outlined advantages and disadvantages of the two main systems for medically screening applicants to the U.S. armed forces and recommended a hybrid model as potentially more effective and efficient.
Oct 24, 2019
Report
Balancing Quality of Life with Mission Requirements: An Analysis of Personnel Tempo on U.S. Coast Guard Major Cutters
The authors analyze how U.S. Coast Guard servicemembers serving on major cutters respond to various levels of personnel tempo, as well as the effects of working conditions on these responses.
Jul 29, 2019
Report
Evaluation of the Strength Aptitude Test and Other Fitness Tests to Qualify Air Force Recruits for Physically Demanding Specialties
This report evaluates the Strength Aptitude Test and related fitness tests to identify strategies for ensuring airmen can meet job-related physical requirements.
Aug 10, 2018
Report
Training Success for U.S. Air Force Special Operations and Combat Support Specialties: An Analysis of Recruiting, Screening, and Development Processes
This report addresses challenges for implementing new approaches to Air Force high-demand, high-attrition specialty recruiting, screening, and development processes, and takes a holistic approach to identifying methods to fill gaps in processes.
May 15, 2018
Report
Retaining the Army's Cyber Expertise
Soldiers in the Army's Cyber career field require extensive training, and Army leadership is concerned that they will be lured away by lucrative civilian jobs. This report describes findings to inform the Army's retention strategy for these soldiers.
Sep 18, 2017
Report
Assessing Competencies and Proficiency of Army Intelligence Analysts Across the Career Life Cycle
This report describes the development and implementation of a process to assess key analytic competencies and proficiency of the U.S. Army's analysts in the 35F military occupational specialty and the design of a protocol for ongoing evaluation.
Jul 27, 2017
Report
Fit for Duty? Evaluating the Physical Fitness Requirements of Battlefield Airmen
Describes a methodology for establishing physical fitness standards for four Air Force occupational specialties, as part of a broader Air Force effort to measure the physical readiness of airmen to perform their jobs.
May 9, 2017
Report
Diversity Leadership in the U.S. Department of Defense: Analysis of the Key Roles, Responsibilities, and Attributes of Diversity Leaders
This study identifies the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other personal characteristics needed in individuals who will be responsible for implementing strategic diversity plans in the U.S. Department of Defense.
Jul 28, 2016
Report
Force Drawdowns and Demographic Diversity: Investigating the Impact of Force Reductions on the Demographic Diversity of the U.S. Military
In 2012, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced plans for a large reduction of its military force, which could have unintended consequences for demographic diversity. RAND analyzes how force reductions could affect demographic diversity in DoD.
Oct 26, 2015
Research Brief
Implications of Force Drawdowns for Demographic Diversity
The Department of Defense (DoD) has been conducting a large reduction of its military force. DoD drawdown policies that target certain groups (by experience, specialty, or aptitude) could have adverse effects on demographic diversity.
Oct 26, 2015
Report
Human Resource Practices for Labor Inspectorates in Developing Countries
This review highlights the state of knowledge about the conditions, competencies, and incentives needed for labor inspectors in developing countries to successfully carry out their work.
Dec 15, 2014
Report
Strength Testing in the Air Force: Current Processes and Suggestions for Improvements
Examines the usefulness, validity, and fairness of the Air Force's Strength Aptitude Test, with a focus on its implementation at military entrance processing stations and the process for setting strength requirements for career fields.
Dec 5, 2014
Report
Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills for Army Leaders Using Blended-Learning Methods
This report assesses the effectiveness of the Command and General Staff School's Advanced Operations Course for junior field-grade officers when taught in a blended distributed learning environment.
Jul 17, 2013
Report
The Extent of Restrictions on the Service of Active-Component Military Women
To support a congressionally mandated review of gender-based assignment restrictions in the U.S. military, RAND researchers described and quantified the positions that are closed to women in each of the services.
May 21, 2012
Report
Incentive Pay for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Career Fields
An econometric assessment of the effectiveness of incentive pays for retaining remotely piloted aircraft pilots and sensor operators.
Mar 6, 2012
Report
Information Systems Technician Rating Stakeholders: Implications for Effective Performance
Discusses the relationships among stakeholders involved in manpower, personnel, and training processes for managing the U.S. Navy information systems technician rating.
Nov 18, 2011