Search

The physical conditioning (PC) program in Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) was changed in 1995 from a "one size fits all" approach of running in formation and group calisthenics to an individually tailored physical regimen designed to encourage long-term participation in exercise and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Prior to the implementation of the new PC program, a study was conducted to compare fitness levels, injury rates, and motivation to exercise among 2,547 male recruits and 701 female recruits randomly assigned to the old and new PC programs. The study showed that female recruits in the new PC program posted greater reductions in their 2-mile run times than those in the old PC program. Differences between the two PC program were most pronounced among those who were able to meet Air Force run-time standards at the start of BMT. Despite more rigorous training in the new PC program, the injury rates between the two PC programs were not significantly different. The new PC program did not significantly affect attrition rates among female participants. Instead, the study found that female recruits who began BMT with a positive attitude toward exercise and who exercised regularly prior to the start of BMT graduated at significantly higher rates than those who were unmotivated and unprepared.

The report presents the results of the 1992 Worldwide Survey of Substance Abuse and Health Behaviors Among Military Personnel. This is the fifth in a series of surveys of military personnel conducted in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1988, and 1992 under the direction of the Department of Defense. All the surveys investigated the prevalence of alcohol use, illicit drug use, tobacco use, the consequences of alcohol use and the consequences of drug use. The 1985 and 1988 surveys also examined health behaviors other than substance use on the quality of life of military personnel. In 1992, the survey was expanded to give greater emphasis to health risks, knowledge and beliefs about AIDS transmission, and nutrition. In addition, in the 1992 survey, the impact of operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm on substance use rates was examined; included questions to assess problem gambling in the military; gathered information to estimate medical costs associated with heavy cigarette smoking and drinking among active duty personnel; and made extensive comparisons with national survey data.... Substance Abuse, Military Personnel, Smoking, Drinking, Health Survey, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Drug Abuse, AIDS, Tobacco, Alcohol, Drug.

This report summarizes the Army Family Research Program (AFRP) sample design, the distribution of AFRP participants, and the scope of the survey population. It includes a discussion of what sampling weights are, why they are needed, and how they should be used. Calculations are provided for adjusting sampling weights to compensate for potential nonresponse bias.

This report presents a detailed analysis of the reasons for failure to respond to the AFRP Spouse Survey and describes the procedures used to minimize the biasing effects of nonresponse. The report summarizes the selection and implementation of the AFRP Soldier and Spouse Surveys, describes the opportunities for spouse nonparticipation, and presents the models developed to predict the probability of spouse participation. It also presents details of the nonresponse adjustments made to the spouse sampling weights.

The Army Family Research Program (AFRP) is a 5-year integrated research program that supports the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) White Paper 1983: The Army Family and The Army Family Action Plans (1984-1990) through the development of databases, models, program evaluation technologies, and policy options that assist the Army to retain quality soldiers, improve soldier and unit readiness, and increase family adaptation to Army life. This report provides details of the sampling design for the soldier portion of the world- wide sample of soldiers, leaders, service providers, and spouses that was conducted between February 1989 and May 1990. Specific topics addressed include (1) a description of the population being sampled, (2) the sampling frames used during each of the three sampling stages, (3) the allocation of types of individuals to be sampled, and (4) the rules for selecting potential participants for the survey.

This report presents the results of the 1988 Worlwide Survey of Substance Abuse and Health Behaviors Among Military Personnel. Alcohol use, drug use, and cigarette use have declined significantly since 1980 and are now the lowest since the survey series began. The largest declines are for drug use. As alcohol use and drug use declined, the percentage of military personnel reporting alcohol- and drug-related negative effects also declined. The involvement of military personnel in selected health practices showed a small but significant increase between 1985 and 1988. Military policies and programs appear to be effective in creating an environment conducive to responsible alcohol use and nonuse of drugs. Keywords: Substance abuse, Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Smoking, Health behaviors, Aids, Negative effects, Trends.

The focus of the report is on understanding the nature and extent of substance use in the military and the resulting negative consequences from that use. Chapter 1 of the report provides a brief introduction and overview of the study and chapter 2 describes relevant past research on civilian and military substance use. Chapter 3 presents conceptual definitions of use, abuse and adverse effects and notes the analytic approach of the study. Chapter 4 discusses the methodology for the survey. Chapter 5 provides analyses that assess the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use, nonmedical drug use, and tobacco use. Chapter 6 describes negative effects attributed to alcohol use and drug use based on measures from prior Worldwide studies and develops new indicators of negative effects. Chapter 7 reports multivariate analyses of problem behaviors, drug and alcohol use, and negative effects of drug and alcohol use. Chapter 8 presents survey findings related to drug and alcohol policies and programs and Chapter 9 considers for the first time in the Worldwide studies the relationship between health practices, illness and substance abuse.

This report summarizes the results of the 1988 Worldwide Survey of Substance Abuse and Health Behaviors Among Military Personnel. Alcohol use, drug use, and cigarette use have declined significantly since 1980 and are now the lowest since the survey series began. The largest declines are for drug use. As alcohol use and drug used declined, the percentage of military personnel reporting alcohol- and drug-related negative effects also declined. The involvement of military personnel in selected health practices showed a small but significant increase between 1985 and 1988. Military policies and programs appear to be effective in creating an environment conducive to responsible alcohol use and nonuse of drugs.