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• Overall, TACP specialists and ALOs indicated consistently strong, positive support for the O-PTB. TACP specialists and ALOs generally felt that each test was administered to all operators in the same way and that they knew how they performed relative to the standard.
• Some TACP specialists and ALOs indicated concern about the potential for injury for the Trap Bar Deadlift, and some physical training leaders (PTLs) expressed concern that operators could be injured while taking the test battery. No new injuries were reported in preparation for or during administration of the tests.
• TACP specialists and ALOs were most frustrated by the Extended Cross Knee Crunch and the Medicine Ball Toss, and 15 percent of PTLs indicated that operators seemed frustrated by the test.
• Eight percent of TACP specialists and ALOs and 12 percent of PTLs did not feel that the test battery would be fair for all TACP specialists regardless of rank, age, stature, gender, or race/ethnicity.
• TACP specialists, ALOs, and PTLs felt that it was important that test administrators be other TACP specialists; in contrast, career field managers (CFMs) emphasized that the test administrator could be anyone.
• Other BA CFMs (i.e., not TACP or ALO) expressed strong concerns over logistical issues regarding test administration (e.g., time, equipment cost). They recognized deficiencies in the Physical Ability and Stamina Test and expressed interest in addressing these shortcomings through a more collaborative effort.

The U.S. Air Force asked the RAND Corporation to assist its development and validation of gender-neutral tests and standards for battlefield airmen (BA) specialties. The Air Force has conducted an extensive validation study of occupational relevance of physical fitness tests and standards. Following the fitness test validation study, one enlisted specialty (Tactical Air Control Party [TACP]) and one officer BA specialty (Air Liaison Officer [ALO]) moved forward with an implementation plan to further evaluate a set of recommended tests and continuation standards. This report describes RAND's assistance to the Air Force on two fronts: (1) conducting a preliminary evaluation of potential issues and concerns that might influence implementation effectiveness and (2) developing a framework for evaluating the implementation of occupationally relevant and specific tests and standards. This work provides the foundation for ongoing review and evaluation of Air Force fitness tests and standards, which are designed to ensure that airmen are capable of performing critical physical tasks associated with their assigned specialties.

• Chapter One

  Introduction

• Chapter Two

  Methodology: Initial Steps to Evaluate O-PTB Implementation

• Chapter Three

  Test-Taker Perspectives from TACPs and ALOs

• Chapter Four

  Summary of PTL Perspectives

• Chapter Five

  Summary of CFMs' Perspectives

• Chapter Six

  Evaluation Framework

• Chapter Seven

  Conclusion and Recommendations

• Appendix A

  Description of O-PTB Components

• Appendix B

  Literature Review of Applicant and Trainee Reactions and Item Mapping

• Appendix C

  TACP and ALO Evaluation Survey

• Appendix D

  PTL Evaluation Survey

• Appendix E

  Evaluation Framework

• Appendix F

  TACP and ALO Open-Ended Comments

• Appendix G

  PTL Open-Ended Comments