Kent McDonald

Assessment of Occupational Burnout in United States Air Force Predator/Reaper “Drone” Operators

This study investigates the self-reported levels of occupational burnout among 1,094 U.S. Air Force drone operators stationed within the borders of the United States who are supporting a wide range of around-the-clock military surveillance and weapons strike missions across the globe. Data were gathered from a Web-based survey of demographic items and the Maslach Burnout Inventory assessing the facets of occupational burnout (exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy). The overall survey response rate was 49%. Approximately 20% reported high levels of exhaustion, and 11% reported high levels of cynicism, but only 3% reported low levels of professional efficacy. Predictors of exhaustion, as well as between group differences, were identified along with recommendations for performance improvement and mitigating risks to safety.

Personality Strengths Among Graduates of U.S. Air Force Combat Controller Training

The present study examined differences in cognitive aptitude and personality traits between graduates (n = 241) and nongraduates (n = 533) of U.S. Air Force combat control (CCT) training. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) were completed prior to the start of training. Graduates scored significantly higher on all four ASVAB composite scores (p < .001, g > .31) and on the general mood, intrapersonal, adaptability, and stress management domains (p < .001, g > .35) of the EQ-i, but no difference existed on the interpersonal domain (p = .41, g = .08). Findings suggest that successful CCT candidates have above-average ability to maintain a positive attitude, self-acceptance, recognition of internal emotional states, and perceived control over thoughts and actions. The EQ-i improves the prediction of CCT training graduates, with optimism and happiness being the relative strongest predictor (AOR = 1.07, p < .001).