Physically Demanding Jobs: Services Have Little Data on Ability of Personnel to Perform
NSIAD-96-169
Published: Jul 09, 1996. Publicly Released: Jul 09, 1996.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the use and development of gender-neutral occupational performance standards in the military services, focusing on how the services implement and evaluate standards.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | Because the services have little systematically collected data on the ability of service members to meet the physical demands of occupational tasks, the Secretary of Defense should require the services to assess whether a significant problem exists in physically demanding occupations and identify solutions, if needed. Such solutions could include redesigning job tasks to reduce the physical demands, providing additional training, or establishing valid performance standards to enhance job sustainment, safety, and personnel utilization. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD directed the services to systematically collect data on job performance difficulties related to physical strength. The services were also directed to focus on physically demanding occupations with a history of strength-related injuries and occupations recently opened to women. The services plan to collect appropriate data in fiscal year 1999.
|
| Department of the Air Force | Given the questions concerning the validity of the strength aptitude test and the implementation problems found, the Secretary of the Air Force should reassess the use of the strength aptitude test as a means of predicting future performance in physically demanding occupations. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD directed the Air Force to continue its periodic validation efforts and assessments of the strength aptitude test and submit a report on its efforts by the end of fiscal year 1997. The Air Force did not conduct any new validation efforts, but merely reviewed its prior effort.
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Topics
Medical examinationsMilitary forcesMilitary personnelMilitary trainingJob classificationStandards evaluationTestingWomenU.S. Air ForceU.S. Army