Analysis of Special Forces Medic (18D) Attrition

Abstract

Training to become a Special Forces (SF) medic is extremely difficult, requiring both the academic skills to absorb tremendous amounts of medical information and the motor skills to master delicate hands-on medical procedures. Not surprisingly, the training has what is likely the highest attrition of any noncommissioned officer course in the Army. The primary objective of this project was to identify the causes of attrition from the SF medic (18D) qualification course. This was accomplished through a series of more than 100 interviews and development and administration of a questionnaire on training attrition. The results and discussion are organized around three major factors of attrition: selection, training, and evaluation and standards, In addition, a model is presented that can be used to help minimize attrition in the SF medic training course. A second objective of this project was to identify reasons SF medics are considering leaving SF and the Army. This was accomplished through analysis of a separate questionnaire that addressed SF career issues such as progression, training, credentialing, job satisfaction and leadership. Special forces, AMEDD, Training, Special operations. Medics,

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA285659

Entities

People

  • Scott E. Graham

Organizations

  • U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Attrition
  • Employment
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Science
  • Pain
  • Personnel Management
  • Seal Teams
  • Students
  • Therapy
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Naval Personnel Management
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Trauma or Military Medicine