This report explores ways for the U.S. Air Force to increase gender-integrated training (GIT) in Basic Military Training. The report includes five options to increase GIT, along with a comparative analysis of these options and an implementation monitoring framework.
An Assessment of Options for Increasing Gender Integration in Air Force Basic Military Training
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Research Questions
- How does USAF BMT GIT compare with USAF officer training, basic training in other U.S. services, and foreign military training?
- What options are available to increase GIT?
- How would these options affect proportions of integration, military training instructor models, scheduling, and facilities?
- How much will these options cost?
- How is GIT best monitored?
The USAF asked the RAND Corporation to assess ways to increase gender-integrated training (GIT) in Basic Military Training (BMT). RAND reviewed historical literature and the experiences of other services and devised five options for increased GIT. Options include integrating training activities, integrating flights to different male-female proportions both before and after fall out from sleeping bays, and modifying sleeping bays for full integration. This report provides a comparative analysis of these options, including costs for each one, as well as a monitoring framework to monitor the progress of any GIT option that the USAF might choose.
Key Findings
RAND found five options to increase GIT
- Option One increases GIT by integrating select training activities.
- Option Two integrates selected flights 50-percent male/50-percent female after the trainees leave their gender-segregated sleeping bays and are on the drill pad.
- Option Three integrates selected flights 50-percent male/50-percent female, with trainees integrating after morning hygiene by switching to an opposite-gender sleeping bay.
- Option Four integrates selected flights 75-percent male/25-percent female on the drill pad.
- Option Five integrates the sleeping bays themselves.
Recommendations
- Whatever option the USAF takes to increase GIT, it should communicate the purpose for the change.
- A detailed implementation plan is necessary, along with specific accountability.
- The USAF should ensure top leadership commitment to change.
- Internal and external oversight of any change is important, along with a monitoring system.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Review of Research Literature on GIT Effects
Chapter Three
Service GIT Models
Chapter Four
Options for Increasing GIT and Their Associated Costs
Chapter Five
Applying Historical BMT Data to Current Facility Constraints and GIT Options
Chapter Six
The Effects of Attrition on GIT Options
Chapter Seven
Considerations When Implementing GIT
Chapter Eight
Developing a Framework for Monitoring GIT in BMT
Chapter Nine
Conclusions and Recommendations
Appendix A
RAND Project Air Force BMT GIT Assessment Discussion Protocol
Appendix B
Cost Methodology and Analysis of Options for Integrating Sleeping Bays
Appendix C
Monitoring Framework for Implementing GIT in BMT
Appendix D
RAND Flight Optimization Model
Research conducted by
The research reported here was commissioned by the commander of Second Air Force and was conducted within the Manpower, Personnel, and Training Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE.
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