Facets of Occupational Burnout among U.S. Air Force Active Duty and National Guard/Reserve MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper Operators

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a548103.pdf


AFRL-SA-WP-TR-2011-0003

FACETS OF OCCUPATIONAL BURNOUT AMONG U.S. AIR FORCE ACTIVE DUTY AND
NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVE MQ-1 PREDATOR AND MQ-9 REAPER OPERATORS


Joseph A. Ouma, Lt Col, USAF, MC, FS
Wayne L. Chappelle, Psy.D., ABPP
Amber Salinas, M.A.
June 2011
Final Report


The increasing operational demand for MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in support of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions as well as precision-strike operations in theaters of conflict has led to a substantial rise in operational hours, shift work, and exposure to combat-related events (e.g., destruction of enemy assets and combatants) for operators. As a result of the continual need to sustain a high operational tempo, there are concerns among line commanders and aeromedical leadership regarding the prevalence of occupational burnout. There is also concern that there are differences across units for risk of occupational burnout and that active duty crew members are at higher risk when compared with National Guard/Reserve operators.
This study surveyed 426 officer and enlisted operators (pilots and sensor operators). Although a wide range of stressors may contribute to elevated levels of burnout, the majority of occupational stress was reported to stem from operational stress and not exposure to combat (e.g., live video feed regarding the destruction or death of enemy combatants and ground forces). In general, the
results revealed that active duty operators are more than twice as likely to suffer from the facets of occupational burnout involving emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Active duty as well as National Guard/Reserve operators attributed shift work, shift changes, hours worked, and simultaneously serving as a warfighter in theater while returning home and managing domestic roles and responsibilities at home to their burnout levels. Aeromedical recommendations include reducing operational hours, reducing frequency of shift changes, reducing the length of assignments, providing clear guidance and opportunities for competitive careerprogression,
improving human-machine interfacing within the ground control station, marital and family enrichment opportunities, as well as periodic psychological health assessments to mitigate the risk of burnout among RPA operators.