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Enhancing Operational Health for Naval Aircrew: Insights from the Readiness, Resilience, and Recovery (R3) Study
Enhancing Operational Health for Naval Aircrew: Insights from the Readiness, Resilience, and Recovery (R3) Study
By Dr. Marcus K. Taylor*, Dr. Anu Venkatesh*, Ms. Lisa M. Hernández*, LT Albert “Podunc” Snipes, USN, AWSCM Robert T. Kershaw, USN, and AWSCM Shane H. Gibbs, USN *These authors contributed equally to the article.
Introduction
The well-being of Naval Aircrew is vital to operational readiness and ensuring mission success. As front-line warriors, these individuals face unique day-to-day challenges that demand a tailored approach to sustaining peak psychological and physical condition. At the request of Commanders, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic, and Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing, our NHRC and NIWC Pacific collaborators have initiated the Readiness, Recovery, and Resilience (R3) Study. Led by a cross-functional team composed of personnel from COMHSCWINGPAC and COMVRMWING and research scientists from the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) and Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC), Pacific, the R3 Study collects survey data and biomarkers of stress and resilience to assess the mental and physical status of the Aircrew Community. Importantly, personally identifying information (e.g., name, birth date) is not collected for this study, ensuring that participant privacy is protected. Appreciating that the warfighter is the most important link in the defense chain, the R3 Study promotes the welfare of Aircrew members by identifying unmet or unknown operational health requirements.
Study Procedures
The study team visits individual commands and delivers an informational brief about the study. Members who choose to volunteer complete an electronic consent document on a computer tablet. Following this, participants begin an electronic survey composed of validated measures of readiness, resilience, and recovery. While participants complete the survey, the study team measures their resting blood pressure and heart rate with an automatic blood pressure cuff. The last component of the study is the self-collection of a saliva sample. Participants place a cotton-like swab under their tongue for two minutes and then place the swab in a collection tube. These samples are used to test for stress-related biomarkers. Study data are organized and analyzed using a statistical software program.
Initial Results
To date, 182 Aircrew members have participated in the R3 Study. After analyzing the data collected from these individuals, our scientists identified five primary operational health concerns: (1) injury history and pain, (2) stress-related symptoms, (3) sleep and fatigue, (4) physical inactivity, and (5) mental health symptoms (e.g., anxiety). However, study results also showed that there were relatively high levels of social support, commitment to the Navy, and leadership satisfaction—all of which are known to be protective factors and contribute to positive long-term health outcomes. Altogether, this information serves as actionable intelligence to inform leadership decisions.
The Way Ahead
The R3 Study is ongoing, with a target sample size of 500 members. However, this is already a significant step toward addressing the operational health needs of Naval Aircrew members. By leveraging modern research methodologies and focusing on the pillars of Readiness, Resilience, and Recovery, the study aims to revolutionize support for our front-line warriors. Detailed R3 Study results will be forthcoming in future issues of Rotor Review.
Further, the ultimate objective of the R3 Study is programmatic transition, including establishing a Naval Aircrew Tactical Athlete Program (NACTAP) as a Program of Record. By collecting data on Aircrew status, this study provides evidence to justify the development of targeted interventions and support, such as access to human performance specialists and on-site physical therapy services. Such data-driven resources will help to address current health concerns, mitigate future injuries, and promote overall Aircrew well-being. We believe this approach can improve resilience across the Aircrew Community, and thereby reduce the impact of future threats to operational health by extending mission endurance and reducing long-term injury risk. As we move forward, let us continue to prioritize the operational health of our Aircrew Community, ensuring that they remain fit to fight and ready to defend our nation.
Questions about the R3 Study can be directed to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Marcus Taylor, at marcus.k.taylor2.civ@ health.mil.
Acknowledgments
We thank all R3 Study volunteer subjects for their time and participation.
Disclaimer: M.K.T. is an employee of the U.S. Government. This work was prepared as part of his official duties. Title 17, U.S.C. §105 provides that copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the U.S. Government. Title 17, U.S.C. §101 defines a U.S. Government work as work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties. Report No. 24-34 was supported by the Naval Health Research Center Rapid Response Program and the Defense Health Agency Military Operational Medicine Research Program under work unit numbers 62362 and N1522. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government. The study protocol was approved by the Naval Health Research Center Institutional Review Board in compliance with all applicable federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects. Research data were derived from approved Naval Health Research Center Institutional Review Board protocol number NHRC.2023.0005.
