DTIC ADA580614: An Assessment of the Army's Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning Program

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An Assessment of the Army’s Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid
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Rehabilitation and Reconditioning Program
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TECHNICAL REPORT
An Assessment of the Army’s
Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid
Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
Program
Terrence K. Kelly • Ralph Masi • Brittian A. Walker • Steven A. Knapp
Kristin J. Leuschner
ARROYO CENTER

TECHNICAL REPORT
An Assessment of the Army’s
Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid
Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
Program

Terrence K. Kelly • Ralph Masi • Brittian A. Walker • Steven A. Knapp
Kristin J. Leuschner
Prepared for the United States Army

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited
ARROYO CENTER
The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Army under
Contract No. W74V8H-06-C-0001.
Library of Congress Control Number:
ISBN: 978-0-8330-7834-6
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Preface
Special operations forces are among the most capable in the U.S. Department of Defense in
terms of both their skills and their physical abilities. To maximize these abilities, help prevent
injuries, and increase the length of time these soldiers spend in the force, in 2009, U.S. Special
Operations Command provided U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) with
funds to establish the Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation and Recondition-
ing (THOR3) program.
As part of a project called “Institutionalizing the Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid
Rehabilitation, and Reconditioning (THOR3) Program,” USASOC asked RAND Arroyo
Center to determine whether the THOR3 program is effectively utilizing the resources pro-
vided and to identify areas for improvement that potentially address doctrine, organization,
training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy needs.
This report should be of interest to U.S. special forces, U.S. Army unit leaders, and the
community of trainers and therapists who work with high-level athletes and military personnel.
This research was sponsored by USASOC and conducted within RAND Arroyo Center’s
Manpower and Training Program. RAND Arroyo Center, part of the RAND Corporation,
is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the United States Army.
Questions and comments regarding this research are welcome and should be directed to the
leader of the research team, Terrence K. Kelly, at 412-683-2300, x4905, or Terrence_Kelly@
rand.org.
The Project Unique Identification Code (PUIC) for the project that produced this docu-
ment is RAN126173.
For more information on RAND Arroyo Center, contact the Director of Operations
(telephone [phone], extension 6419; fax [phone]; email Marcy_Agmon@rand.
org), or visit Arroyo’s web site at http://www.rand.org/ard.
iii

Contents
Preface ........................................................................................................... iii
Figures and Tables .............................................................................................vii
Summary ........................................................................................................ ix
Acknowledgments ........................................................................................... xvii
Abbreviations .................................................................................................. xix
ChAPTer One
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1
Study Purpose .................................................................................................... 2
Background ....................................................................................................... 3
THOR3 Is Not a Unique Program .......................................................................... 3
USSOCOM Funds THOR3 .................................................................................. 3
THOR3 Has Both Medical and Nonmedical Staff Members Who Are Supervised and
Supported in Different Ways ............................................................................ 4
Medication Management Is an Important Element of THOR3 That Could Be Improved ........... 5
Methodology ..................................................................................................... 5
Overview of This Report ........................................................................................ 6
ChAPTer TwO
Organization .................................................................................................... 7
Requirements ..................................................................................................... 7
THOR3 Required Functional Areas of Expertise .......................................................... 7
Job Series Associated with THOR3 Requirements ........................................................11
THOR3 Program Structure ....................................................................................12
Findings and Recommendations ..............................................................................18
Requirements Validation and Articulation ................................................................18
Structure ...................................................................................................... 20
ChAPTer Three
Personnel ....................................................................................................... 23
THOR3 Current and Future Staffing ........................................................................ 23
Management of THOR3 Program Staff ..................................................................... 26
Hiring and Retention .......................................................................................... 26
Hiring Human Performance Program Coordinators .................................................... 27
Hiring in All Other THOR3 Specialties ...................................................................29
v