Assessment of US Air Force student pilots with intermittent monofixation syndrome on a non-stereoptic dependent flight maneuver in pilot training

The United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) and Aeromedical Consult Service (ACS) have developed waiver criteria for pilots with subtle substandard depth perception. This is to allow United States Air Force (USAF) pilots with mild depth perception deficiency to continue flying duties while limiting the risk to flight safety and ensuring the availability of costly human resources. From 1999 to 2005, 166 aviators were given waivers for intermittent monofixation syndrome (IMFS). Of these, 96 were student pilots who performed slightly worse at stereoptic dependent flight maneuvers than student pilots (8,907) with normal depth perception (Lowry, 2006).^ This study's purpose is to evaluate the performance of the extended-trail maneuver, a non-stereoptic dependent flying maneuver, as executed by a cohort of 12 United States Air Force student pilots with intermittent monofixation syndrome versus the cohort of 100 student pilots with normal depth perception. These subjects are extracted from the cohorts examined by Lowry (2006) and the null hypothesis predicts no statistical difference in the performance of the non-stereoptic dependant flight maneuver extended-trail between student pilots with intermittent monofixation syndrome and those without the condition. ^

The identification and prevalence of veterinary clinical events in U.S. military working dogs deployed to Iraq between March 20, 2003, and December 31, 2007

Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify the medical issues experienced by Military Working Dogs during their period of deployment in Iraq.^ Design. This study was a retrospective cross-sectional survey based on database and medical record abstraction.^ Population. Military Working Dogs (MWDs) that were deployed to Iraq at any time between 20 March 2003 and 31 December 2007 were the inclusive population of interest. Seven hundred ninety-five (795) MWDs were identified as having been deployed to Iraq during the inclusive dates. Four hundred ninety-six (496) MWDs were identified that had medical events during the deployment period. ^ Procedures. Eligible MWDs were identified through several sources, to include database query, medical record abstraction questionnaire, and medical record abstraction. Demographic information collected for each MWD included tattoo, name, age, gender, breed, Branch of Service, and duty certification. Information on each veterinary/medical clinical event (VCE) was collected. This information was coded, and data entered into a database for organization. Frequency and prevalence information were determined for each category of VCE.^ Results. The top four VCEs experienced by MWDs while deployed in Iraq were gastrohepatic, dermatologic, traumatic injury, and appendicular musculoskeletal issues.^ Conclusions. Training, equipment, and supplies for veterinary personnel who care for the deployed MWDs should be tailored accordingly to suit the identified medical needs of the MWDs. ^

The effects of binge drinking on military readiness: The inability to deploy

The negative outcomes from alcohol misuse have been chronicled for decades in epidemiological studies. Recent research has focused on patterns of drinking. Binge and heavy drinking have been associated with multiple negative outcomes, to include surrogate outcomes designed to measure decrements to military readiness. This study is perhaps the first to examine whether binge or heavy drinking patterns are associated with the U.S. military’s overall inability to deploy rate or the individual reasons unable to deploy. ^ The prevalence of binge and heavy drinking and the inability to deploy rates were assessed from responses to the 2005 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Military Personnel. A secondary analysis of extant data resulted in a final sample size of 13,619 respondents who represented 847,253 active-duty military personnel. Multivariate models were fitted to examine the association between patterns of drinking and individual reasons for the inability to deploy. ^ Logistic regression showed no association of binge or heavy drinking to greater inability to deploy. Interestingly, individual reasons for the inability to deploy did show an association to include: Training, Dental Issue, No HIV Test, and Family Situation. There was no association noted for the individual reasons: Injury, Illness, Leave/Temporary Duty, or Other. Binge and heavy drinkers appear to be more susceptible to the psychosocial determinants than physical determinants as reasons for the inability to deploy. ^