The 71F Advantage:
Applying Army Research Psychology for Health and Performance Gains
Edited by Paul T. Bartone, Ross H. Pastel, and Mark A. Vaitkus
Foreword by Major General David A. Rubenstein, USA
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This book, edited by Paul T. Bartone, Ross H. Pastel, and Mark A. Vaitkus, is the first of its kind, intended to provide a comprehensive overview of what Army research psychologists - who are assigned the area of concentration code 71F - do. Chapters cover the diverse activity areas of 71Fs, from the neurophysiology of sleep, to traumatic brain injury, to leadership and organizational process.
Introduction
71F, or "71 Foxtrot," is the AOC (area of concentration) code assigned by the U.S. Army to the specialty of Research Psychology. Qualifying as an Army research psychologist requires, first of all, a Ph.D. from a research (not clinical) intensive graduate psychology program. Due to their advanced education, research psychologists receive a direct commission as Army officers in the Medical Service Corps at the rank of captain. In terms of numbers, the 71F AOC is a small one, with only 25 to 30 officers serving in any given year. However, the 71F impact is much bigger than this small cadre suggests. Army research psychologists apply their extensive training and expertise in the science of psychology and social behavior toward understanding, preserving, and enhancing the health, well being, morale, and performance of Soldiers and military families. As is clear throughout the pages of this book, they do this in many ways and in many areas, but always with a scientific approach. This is the 71F advantage: applying the science of psychology to understand the human dimension, and developing programs, policies, and products to benefit the person in military operations.
This book grew out of the April 2008 biennial conference of U.S. Army Research Psychologists, held in Bethesda, Maryland. This meeting was to be my last as Consultant to the Surgeon General for Research Psychology, and I thought it would be a good idea to publish proceedings, which had not been done before. As Consultant, I'd often wished for such a document to help explain to people what it is that Army Research Psychologists "do for a living." In addition to our core group of 71Fs, at the Bethesda 2008 meeting we had several brand-new members, and a number of distinguished retirees, the "grey-beards" of the 71F clan. Together with longtime 71F colleagues Ross Pastel and Mark Vaitkus, I also saw an unusual opportunity to capture some of the history of the Army Research Psychology specialty while providing a representative sample of current 71F research and activities. It seemed to us especially important to do this at a time when the operational demands on the Army and the total force were reaching unprecedented levels, with no sign of easing, and with the Army in turn relying more heavily on research psychology to inform its programs for protecting the health, well being, and performance of Soldiers and their families.
Everyone present at the 2008 meeting was invited to submit a paper for inclusion in the proceedings, and we soon extended this invitation to every 71F we could reach. The response was so great that the project grew into the present book, with contributions from nearly all 71Fs. It took longer to complete than we planned, but we think the result was worth the wait. This book is the first of its kind, providing a detailed overview of research projects and activities of Army research psychologists, as well as several personal and historical accounts. It should serve as a valuable resource for anyone curious about research psychology in the U.S. Army, and those wanting to know more about the kinds of insights and products generated by this group.
This book is primarily the work of the individual chapter contributors. However, it would never have been finished without the dedication and diligence of my two co-editors, Ross Pastel and Mark Vaitkus. Both are not only top-flight behavioral scientists in their own right, but also dedicated public servants. They worked on this project mostly nights and weekends, with no ambition for personal gain, but rather with the hope of providing something beneficial to the field, to senior leaders, and to junior and future 71Fs.
Having Center for Technology and National Security Policy (CTNSP) Research Assistant Marek Rewers on the project was almost like having another editor. In addition to substantive writing contributions, Marek took responsibility for tracking and organizing hundreds of files, keeping the different versions straight, and fixing what seemed at times like an endless supply of formatting and reference problems. The book could not have been completed without Marek's fine work. Also, absolutely stellar editing and review assistance was provided by CTNSP Research Assistants Yong-Bee Lim, Simone Erchov, and Anna Nelson (whom we borrowed from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces).
We owe a special debt of gratitude to Hans Binnendijk, Director of CTNSP, for his unflagging support of the project since it was first proposed. Other colleagues at CTNSP have helped in many ways, especially Bill Berry, Director of the Life Sciences Division, Debra Cagan, a Senior Research Fellow, and Bill Bode, Chief Editor. Paul Strohl and Craig Zugschwerdt of NDU Audiovisual services generously helped with the illustrations. The professional staff at NDU Press, especially Jeff Smotherman and Lisa Yambrick, handled the many details of finalizing the manuscript and getting it ready for print with characteristic efficiency and good grace.
We also wish to thank our current Medical Service Corps Chief, Major General David Rubenstein, and the Deputy Corps Chief, Colonel Dawn Smith, for their ongoing encouragement and support on this project, and for the 71F AOC more broadly. Former Corps Chiefs Brigadier General (Ret.) Sheila Baxter and Brigadier General (Ret.) Richard Ursone also have our collective gratitude for their leadership and support along the way. Finally, the Medical Service Corps Historian, Colonel (Ret.) Richard Ginn, helped not only with key interviews of 71Fs, but also with his regular upbeat reminders that it is important for all of us to remember and learn from the past.
Paul T. Bartone