Stress and Dissatisfaction in the Air Force's Remotely Piloted Aircraft Community

📖 The Scoop

"The demand for the Air Force's remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) has exploded in the past few years. Even though the Air Force has increased its number of RPA units, it has been unable to keep up with this demand. This problem is exacerbated by an inability to fill the ranks of RPA units. The result is that RPA personnel work inordinately long hours, and the RPA mission is more demanding in terms of flying time than the typical traditionally manned aircraft mission. Air Force Special Operations Command leadership recognized the need to address RPA workforce issues and asked RAND Project AIR FORCE to identify issues potentially affecting the RPA force and recommend ways to mitigate them. Researchers conducted focus groups with RPA personnel, finding that while crews view their missions as important, they feel stressed due to heavy workloads, undermanning, shiftwork, lack of training, and undesirable base locations. About one-third of those in the groups showed signs of burnout, a feeling that typically occurs after prolonged periods of stress. Researchers recommend reducing personnel stress by reducing workload and instituting a "combat-to-dwell" policy that allows personnel time to attend to family and administrative needs and mitigates combat exposure."--Publisher's description.

Genre: Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management (fancy, right?)