Citation

Chappelle WL, Prince LR, Goodman TM. Mil. Med. 2019; 184(Suppl 1): 451-460.

Affiliation

Neurostat Analytical Solutions, LLC, 2331 Mill Road, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

10.1093/milmed/usy398

PMID

30901417

Abstract

U.S. Air Force Distributed Common Ground Station (DCGS) intelligence (Intel) operators sustain 24/7 battlefield situational awareness and facilitate precision-strike operations. DCGS operations are global, synergistic, Total Force (TF) endeavors by active duty, Air National Guard (ANG) and Reserve units, providing combatant commanders with critical real-time intelligence and shaping operational and tactical decisions. Continual surveillance of this community's psychological health is important to its military leaders. This study re-examines the most frequently reported occupational stressors, as well as the prevalence of occupational burnout (i.e., high-emotional exhaustion and cynicism, and low professional efficacy), and psychological distress within this population. Active duty (n = 1717), ANG (n = 139), and Reserve (n = 173) Intel operators participated in a comprehensive, online, occupational health assessment.

RESULTS reveal that occupational stressors contributing to elevated rates of distress, regardless of TF status (i.e., low manning, long work hours, excessive workload, and organizational communication concerns) are consistent with previous research. The prevalence of high-emotional exhaustion (AD: 29%/ANG: 25%/RES: 14%) and psychological distress (AD: 19%/ANG: 17%/RES: 5%) are above estimates for other military communities. These findings combined with demographic and occupational risk factors lay the foundation for improving psychological health within this Total Force community.

Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2019.

Language: en

Keywords

DCGS; Emotional Exhaustion; Intelligence Exploitation; Occupational Stress; Psychological Distress; Stressors; Total Force