U.S. Air Force combat controllers represent a highly trained group of special duty operators who support a variety of battlefield aviation and combatant operations. They are considered some of the most highly trained special duty operators in the military. Due to their operational requirements, training takes approximately 2 years to complete. However, training attrition ranges between 50%- 70% and occurs rapidly within initial courses of training (i.e., Combat Control Orientation and Combat Control Operator courses). Such high attrition has elevated costs in terms of manpower, training resources, and readiness. To reduce training attrition, the authors of this study investigated pre-accession fitness testing (Physical Assessment Stamina Test), cognitive testing (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), and post-accession personality testing (Emotional Quotient-Inventory) to assess for physical and psychological attributes that distinguish training candidates (n= 430) who succeed versus fail the initial courses of training. The results of the study suggest that the capability to identify training candidates at high risk for training failure is improved by combining personality testing with traditional fitness and cognitive aptitude testing. The results of the study suggest a more holistic approach to testing improves personnel selection capabilities. The results of the study also have implications for improving screening and evaluation processes within aviation psychology and flight medicine.
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