Navy Personnel Research Articles

The Effect of a Web-Based Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Prevention Program on Hearing Protection Device Behavior Among Thai Navy Officers: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Navy officers working on the coastal guard vessels risk hearing loss due to repeated exposure to high noise levels from ship engines. Therefore, proper use of hearing protection devices is important. In this study, a web-based hearing loss prevention program was developed to promote the behavior of the use of hearing protection devices among Thai navy officers working on coastal guard vessels. In total, 152 navy personnel were recruited based on selection criteria and randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 76) and control groups (n = 76). The participants in the experimental group received the hearing loss prevention program via a website over four weeks. After completing the program, hearing protection device behavior was evaluated by a self-report questionnaire immediately after and at eight weeks follow-up. The results showed significantly increasing scores of the use of hearing protection devices behavior within the experimental group, both immediately and eight weeks after the program completion. However, there were no significant differences in the scores when comparing between groups, even though the scores of the experimental group were better than those in the control group. The restrictions could be explained by some emerging events during the implementation period, including the COVID-19 pandemic followed by a massive oil spill incident at sea. These put an extra workload on the study participants. Most importantly, there was a problem with the network connection that might have affected the continuation of participant attention to the program. Although this study found no effective results of the developed program due to some limitations, nurses can adopt this protective intervention to reduce the risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among Navy officers. Therefore, a recommendation for further study is to develop an intervention program that considers both the working context of the coastal vessels and appropriate participation methods that require more challenging efforts.

High executive functioning is associated with reduced posttraumatic stress after trauma exposure among male U.S. military personnel.

Evidence suggests that executive function (EF) may play a key role in development of PTSD, possibly influenced by factors such as trauma type and timing. Since EF can be improved through intervention, it may be an important target for promoting resilience to trauma exposure. However, more research is needed to understand the relation between trauma exposure, EF, and PTSD. The goal of this study was to improve understanding of EF as a potential antecedent or protective factor for the development of PTSD among military personnel. In a cohort of U.S. Marines and Navy personnel (N = 1,373), the current study tested the association between exposure to traumatic events (pre-deployment and during deployment) and PTSD severity, and whether EF moderated these associations. Three types of pre-deployment trauma exposure were examined: cumulative exposure, which included total number of events participants endorsed as having happened to them, witnessed, or learned about; direct exposure, which included total number of events participants endorsed as having happened to them; and interpersonal exposure, which included total number of interpersonally traumatic events participants' endorsed. EF was measured using the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery. EF was associated with less PTSD symptom severity at pre-deployment, even when adjusting for trauma exposure, alcohol use, traumatic brain injury, and number of years in the military. EF also moderated the relation between cumulative trauma exposure and interpersonal trauma exposure and PTSD, with higher EF linked to a 20 and 33% reduction in expected point increase in PTSD symptoms with cumulative and interpersonal trauma exposure, respectively. Finally, higher pre-deployment EF was associated with reduced PTSD symptom severity at post-deployment, independent of deployment-related trauma exposure and adjusting for pre-deployment PTSD. Our results suggest that EF plays a significant, if small role in the development of PTSD symptoms after trauma exposure among military personnel. These findings provide important considerations for future research and intervention and prevention, specifically, incorporating a focus on improving EF in PTSD treatment.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk assesment among healthy Indonesian Navy Personnel in East Java, Indonesia

Indonesia, as the largest archipelagic country, has a military population of its own. Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) are common in in Indonesian Navy personnel populations, and recent studies reported an increasing ofits prevalence.However, the data on specific navy military populations are still limited. This study aims to assess ASCVD risk on Indonesian navy personnel. This study use yearly medical check-up data of the Indonesian navy with high rank (fleet commander) aged 25-60 years old in period of January-August 2023. Those who already diagnosed with coronary artery disease were excluded. We use Framingham risk score and EUROS II Score to assess the ASCVD risk among samples. A total of 503 samples were recruited, 474 were male. Mean of age was 45 y.o, predominantly they were active smoker (64,8%) and overweight (44,5%). Among men’s population, the Framingham risk score shows almost half of the samples are at medium risk of ASCVD (40,16%), while a small percentage (17,3%) are at high risk as well as EuroSCORE II show remarkbly 62,21% of high ASCVD risk. The medium to high ASCVD risk among Indonesian Navy personnel need further attention and evaluation. A failure to give a decent preventive intervention may increase the burden of ASCVD in the future.

Organizational factors and organizational commitment among Malaysian naval personnel

Employee commitment to the organization is influenced by management support. Management support is to ensure a better work culture in an organization because management plays an important role in terms of physical and emotional employees. This paper explores the organizational factors, namely leadership styles, promotions, workloads, and workplace facilities in regards to organizational commitment among navy personnel in a naval base. A self-administered questionnaires have been deployed among navy personnel in getting their responses on leadership styles, promotions, workloads, workplace facilities, and organizational commitment. The implication of the study can be seen that naval personnel will give the commitment to the organization if the leader's leadership styles, workload, and facilities in the workplace are given and provided. The results show a significant relationship between leadership styles, workplace facilities, and workloads with organizational commitment; but promotion opportunities show insignificant with organizational commitment. Interestingly, naval personnel states that workloads have no impact on their organizational commitment. On the other hand, naval personnel also states that leadership styles, workloads, and workplace facilities have impacts on their organizational commitment.

CIPPO Model Evaluation on the English Language Training Program At the Indonesian Navy Education Services

This study describes the implementation of the English Language Education and Training program at the Indonesian Navy Education Service for Indonesian Navy personnel. This study applies a descriptive qualitative method using the CIPPO model (Context, Input, Process, Product and Outcome). To get the data, the researchers conducted interviews, observation, documentation, focus group discussions and questionnaires. From the data obtained through interviews, observation, documentation, focus group discussions and CIPPO model questionnaires using a Likert scale (1 to 5) the context aspect shows 3.81, the training has been carried out based on the objectives, educational plans and activity plans. The input aspect shows 3.59, it supports the training process. The process aspect shows 3.82, the training process can run smoothly. The product aspect shows 3.96, the results of the training are satisfactory. The outcome aspect shows 3.95, the training has a good impact on human resources and institutions in the Navy. This research has the novelty that English Education and Training at DISDIKAL really needs an in-depth evaluation of the implementation of Education and Training. So far, the evaluation is still based on reports on the completion of training

Prevalence and correlates of destructive behaviors in the US Naval Surface Forces from 2010–2020

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual assault, and suicide for United States Navy (USN) personnel between 2010 and 2020 and identify potential associated factors.MethodsOfficial report data were used to calculate prevalence rates and odds ratios, accounting for sample and general USN population demographic data to assess differences in over- or underrepresentation of destructive behaviors.ResultsDomestic violence and sexual assault offenders tended to be younger lower-ranked males. For sexual assaults, offenders were three times more likely to be senior to the victim, which was not the case for domestic violence. Females were overrepresented in terms of suicidal ideation and attempts relative to the USN population, while males accounted for more actual suicides. The relative rates of suicidal ideation and attempts for females exceeded those for males (i.e., comparing the sample rate against the USN male and female populations), but the sample proportion for completed suicides (compared to the USN population) were greater for males than for females. Those in the junior enlisted (E1–E3) paygrades exhibited greater odds of suicide attempts versus suicidal ideations relative to those in the Petty Officers (E4–E6) paygrades, although E4–E6s completed more suicides.ConclusionThe descriptive profile of destructive behaviors in a representative sample of USN personnel provides an overview of the possible factors associated with destructive behaviors and includes an exploration of the relational dynamics and nature of the incidents. The results suggest that sexual assault and domestic violence are characterized by unique relational dynamics and that these destructive behaviors should not necessarily be classified together as male-oriented aggressions (i.e., mainly perpetrated by males against female victims). Those in the E1–E3 and E4–E6 paygrades displayed different patterns in suicidal ideation, attempts, and actual suicides. The results highlight individual characteristics to help inform the development of targeted policies, practices, and interventions for military and other hierarchical organizations (e.g., police).

Effects of 8-Week Suspension Training Program on Physical Fitness, Biomechanical Lower Extremity Injury Risk Factors, Mental Health, and Work-Related Factors in Navy Personnel: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Military personnel need to be in optimal physical fitness and ready for action. Currently used physical training programs are mainly based on cardiovascular routines that do not fulfill all physical requirements. Feasible and easy-accessible training programs are needed to improve strength-related physical performance. Objectives: The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a suspension-training program with the total body resistance exercise band in physical fitness, biomechanical lower extremity injury risk factors, mental health, and work-related factors in navy personnel. Methods: To conduct this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 50 young men aged 18 to 28 years will be recruited. The intervention group performs suspension training (three times a week for 8 weeks) in addition to their daily duties; however, the control group continues their daily duties. The primary outcome is physical performance. The secondary outcomes include biomechanical lower extremity injury risk factors, mental health, and work-related factors. Discussion: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a randomized controlled trial of suspension training in performance, lower extremity frontal plane kinematics, job satisfaction, workability, and quality of life in navy personnel. This trial might provide new insights for various experts and military coaches and suspension-training programs can be used as new methods to meet all military personnel demands with minimum facilities.

Indonesia as a Global Maritime Fulcrum: Examining the Model of Indonesia-Australia Maritime Cooperation and Its Impacts to Achieve Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum Security Agenda

This article is motivated by a cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Australia, namely the Lombok Agreement or Lombok Treaty, regarding law enforcement, intelligence, resistance, terrorism, and maritime security. This collaboration was also continued with the MoU Joint Declaration on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Indonesia during the reign of President Joko Widodo in realizing a shared vision of a safe and stable maritime environment. This article aims to look at and analyze more deeply such cooperation between Indonesia and Australia and how it influences Indonesia under President Joko Widodo's administration to realize its Global Maritime Fulcrum (GMF) mission, thus contributing to managing maritime security. The research method applied in writing this article uses a descriptive research type using literature review techniques to collect data from various journals, articles, books, websites, and studies that correlate with this article. This article uses the concept of maritime cooperation to see the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Australia, which is based on problems and aims to achieve the interests of each country. Overall, this article shows that the maritime cooperation carried out by Indonesia and Australia can impact efforts to realize Indonesia as a Global Maritime Fulcrum proclaimed by President Joko Widodo in the security realm. This cooperation is implemented in the form of cooperation that has a positive impact on the development of personnel quality, both on Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel professionalism, as well as information gains in implementing maritime security operations with Indonesia.

Dimensions of Operational Stress in the Nigerian Navy: Selected Samples of Combatant, Artisan and Retired Naval Personnel in Nigeria

This study examined dimensions of stress among sample of selected Nigerian Navy personnel in Lagos, Calabar, Jaji, in Kaduna Nigeria.

Factors Associated With Neuromusculoskeletal Injury and Disability in Navy and Marine Corps Personnel.

Neuromusculoskeletal injuries (NMSKI) are very common in the military, which contribute to short- and long-term disability. Population-level NMSKI, limited duty (LIMDU), and long-term disability episode counts in the U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) from December 2016 to August 2021 were extracted from the Musculoskeletal Naval Epidemiological Surveillance Tool. The incidence of NMSKI, LIMDU, and long-term disability was calculated. A hurdle negative binomial regression evaluated the association of body region, sex, age, rank, age by rank, and service branch on NMSKI, LIMDU, and long-term disability incidence. From December 2016 to August 2021, there were 2,004,196 NMSKI episodes (USN: 3,285/1,000 Sailors; USMC: 4,418/1,000 Marines), 16,791 LIMDU episodes (USN: 32/1,000 Sailors; USMC: 29/1,000 Marines), and 2,783 long-term disability episodes (USN: 5/1,000 Sailors; USMC: 5/1,000 Marines). There was a large-magnitude protective effect on NMSKI during the pandemic (relative risk, USN: 0.70; USMC: 0.75). Low back and ankle-foot were the most common, primarily affecting female personnel, aged 25-44 years, senior enlisted, in the USMC. Shoulder, arm, pelvis-hip, and knee conditions had the greatest rates of disability, with female sex, enlisted ranks, aged 18-24 years, and service in the USMC having the most salient risk factors. Body region, sex, age, rank, and branch were the salient factors for NMSKI. The significant protective effect during the pandemic was likely a function of reduced physical exposure and limited access to nonurgent care. Geographically accessible specialized care, aligned with communities with the greatest risk, is needed for timely NMSKI prevention, assessment, and treatment.

Assessing Policy Changes on the Cost of Husbanding Services for Navy Ships

In the wake of a major corruption conspiracy, the U.S. Navy reformed husbanding service procedures to increase competition, auditability, and accountability with the goal of reducing expenditures. The first policy change, Off-Ship Bill Pay (OSBP), formalized a process for procuring, rendering, and paying for husbanding services to increase oversight. The second policy change increased the use of multiple award contracts (MACs), in which multiple vendors are awarded a contract over a region, increasing competition for individual port visits. The purpose of this article is to analyze the effects of these policy changes on the cost of husbanding services. Multiple regression was used to account for port visit characteristics that affect cost such as ship type and the number of days in port. MACs demonstrated a reduction effect on the cost of port visits. Further, OSBP appears to have a negligible effect on port visit cost after the initial learning curve for both Navy personnel and vendors.

Medical correlates of first-term attrition in US Navy personnel

IntroductionFirst-term attrition (FTA), or failure of a military service member to complete their initial service contract, is a major financial burden and source of lost manpower in the US Navy....

An Assessment on the Efficiency of Clothing with UV Protection among the Spanish Navy School Students.

Concern about the harmful effects that ultraviolet (UV) rays have on the skin of people who are routinely exposed to solar radiation has driven the industry of skin protection creams, sunglasses and clothing. Spanish Navy personnel are subject to different levels of exposure depending on their rank and function. The objective of this research is to analyze the behavioral variables associated to the effects on the skin caused by UV rays, denoted by the combined effects of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity, on their decision to purchase and wear uniforms with UV protection. A confirmatory analysis using a structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed on a sample of 100 respondents. The model results revealed a strong mediating characteristic of the intention to use, variable associated with the exogenous variables. Attitude towards the use of clothing and social influence, as well as the exogenous variable clothing action planning, on the sun protective clothing use during tactical maneuvers. These relationships were significant with p-values close to zero. However, exogenous variables related to perceived susceptibility and perceived severity in exposure to sunlight did not represent a significant influence when mediated by self-efficacy in use. The results revealed the consequence of awareness about the importance of protecting oneself and the influence that usage habits can have on the military with respect to the decision to purchase uniforms with UV protection.

Arşiv Belgelerine Göre II. Dünya Savaşı Öncesinde Almanya’dan Alınan Denizaltılar

II. Dünya Savaşı öncesinde Türk donanmasının savaşa hazır hale getirilmesi ve girilmesi muhtemel savaşta ülkenin savunulabilmesi için güçlü bir donanma oluşturulmasına çalışıldı. Bahsi geçen dönemde denizaltıların su üstü gemilerine karşı tartışmasız bir üstünlüğü vardı. Su üstü gemileri için hem denizaltıları tespit etmek hem de o dönemki silahlarla imha edebilmek çok zordu. Bu gerçeğin farkında olan Türk donanma personeli de donanmasını takviye etmek için ağırlığı denizaltılara vermek ve elindeki denizaltılara yenilerini eklemek istedi. Bu amaçla dünyanın en iyi denizaltı imalatçılarından olan Almanya’nın Germania Werft I. V. S. firmasına, “Ay Sınıfı” olarak isimlendirilen ve adları bizzat Cumhurbaşkanı Atatürk tarafından verilen Saldıray, Batıray, Atılay ve Yıldıray denizaltıları sipariş edildi. Bu çalışmada; denizaltıların alınmasına karar verilme süreci, sipariş edilmeleri ve imalat süreçleri ile maliyetleri hakkında özellikle Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri arşiv belgeleri kullanılarak açıklamalar getirilmeye çalışıldı. Elde edilen bilgiler bilimsel ve objektif bir bakış açısıyla işlendi. Çalışma konusunun muhteviyatının analiz, sentez ve eleştirel bakış açısına uygun olmadığı sonucuna varıldığı için konu daha çok didaktik bir anlatım metodu kullanılarak tarihi veriler ışığında akademik literatüre dahil edilmeye çalışıldı.

Military Resident Physician Training Burden: Quantifying Requirements Across the Military Health Care System.

The Military Health Care System trains approximately 1,500 resident physicians in over 100 specialties. In addition to requirements for their specific program, active duty military trainees must complete military-specific trainings that vary by the branch of service. Excessive training requirements could contribute to physician burnout and/or negatively affect patient care. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the time active duty resident physicians dedicate to this training, stratified by the branch of service. The study protocol was submitted to the Clinical Investigations Department at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (Portsmouth, VA, USA) and deemed exempt from the Institutional Review Board review. We conducted a descriptive study in 2021 wherein lists of all training requirements were obtained from a military treatment facility in the Army, Navy, and Air Force supporting residency training. Individual requirements were reviewed and sorted into military-specific and general categories. Information was gathered on duration, frequency, and platform for applicable requirements. Residents are required to complete a mean of 17.2 hours of training annually, of which 11.2 hours were military-specific. This consisted of 50, 57, and 53 individual requirements for Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, respectively. Army resident physicians had the greatest time burden of military-specific training at 14.8 hours/year, followed by the Air Force and Navy (10.2 and 8.7 hours/year, respectively). Annually, active duty resident physicians spend the equivalent of more than two work days completing additional training requirements on multiple platforms. Standardizing training requirements and platforms across the Military Health Care System and aligning required trainings with job responsibilities could free up additional time for patient care, potentially decreasing fatigue and burnout.

The US Navy’s Generational Challenge

Technological, social and environmental developments are producing changes at such a rate that they threaten to overwhelm the ability of individuals, societies and governments to adapt. The pace and impact of this technological churn is especially difficult for the US Navy because of the long time frames involved in traditional navy planning, acquisition and personnel cycles. The US Navy should prepare to ride succeeding waves of techno-strategic change – particularly the ‘robotics wave’ – and apply the rules of strategy in thinking about the role of technology in war at sea.

Comparison of Sleep Problems and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Associated Psychiatric States in Military Active-Duty Army and Navy Personnel in Taiwan

Background: For decades, sleep problems have been proven to link to mental disorders and are independent risk factors for suicidality. But further details in the connections between them in the military are still understudied. In this study, we intended to fill this gap of linkage through by collecting self-reported responses from active-duty soldiers in Taiwan. Methods: In this study, we compared total sleep hours per day, sleep problems, prevalence of relevant psychological factors, and subclinical symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Taiwanese soldiers using responses to Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) item 5 from 808 Taiwanese soldiers. To examine their associations with each sleep problem, we used logistic regression models through redefining all sleep problems as dichotomous as outcome variables. Results: Compared with the navy, subjects in the army slept significantly fewer hours per day (p < 0.001), experienced significantly more difficulties with daily activities (p < 0.001), and displayed significantly less enthusiasm (p = 0.001). The female soldiers showed significantly more sleep problems than male soldiers, namely, waking up significantly more in the middle of night (p < 0.01), feeling significantly colder (p < 0.05) or significantly hotter (p = 0.001), having significantly more pain (p < 0.05), and having significantly more other reasons (p < 0.01). Samples from the male soldiers reported significantly more problems with enthusiasm in the past month (p < 0.01). After adjusting for interaction between other variables, the greater magnitude of “thwarted belongingness” is significantly more associated with sleep problems caused by pain or other reasons (all p < 0.05). “Perceived burdensomeness” was significantly more negatively related to sleep problems caused by waking up in the middle of the night and coughing or snoring loudly (all p < 0.05). All four subclinical symptoms of PTSD, namely, numbness, re-experience, avoidance, and arousal, affect soldiers' sleep differently. Conclusion: According to this study, Taiwanese Army and Navy soldiers suffer from different psychiatric conditions and sleep disorders depending on their gender. Aside from anxiety and depression, subclinical symptoms of PTSD were also associated with sleep problems, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness in the military. The effects of treating sleep problems on suicide prevention in the military, especially among those with subclinical symptoms of PTSD, still require more focused research.

Prescription medication use and trends for U.S. Navy submariners from 2007 to 2018

Introduction: This is the first study to examine population medication prescription rates among U.S. submariners by common therapeutic classifications. Methods: Individual-level pharmacy records during the years 2007 to 2018 were extracted from the Military Health System’s Pharmacy Data Transaction Service (PDTS) file. Demographic and military factors captured from Navy personnel files were linked to PDTS records. Logistic regression models were used to identify characteristics and trends associated with prevalence. Published total rates for other active-duty components were compared to submariner rates. Results: There were data for 50,720 submariners, among whom 576,782 prescriptions were filled. Prevalence rates decreased significantly from 2007-2018 among most drug classes. Central nervous system agents accounted for 31% of the total prescriptions, followed by 12% for eye, ear, nose, and throat preparations, and 10% for anti-infective agents. Higher prescription rates were associated with being enlisted, younger, a woman, lower-ranked, or Hispanic. The mean yearly prescription rate was 2.7 per submariner, less than half of the overall rate of all military components. Conclusions: Central nervous system agents were the most common drug class for submariners and all military components. Future work at the drug level is warranted to better understand the temporal declines in submariner rates and if submariner rates are lower than overall active-duty rates due to health status measures, sex, or allowance guidelines. Drug-level utilization can help determine if onboard medications should be adjusted to meet the current needs of men, and the needs of the growing submariner population of women.

A correlation study of military psychological stress, optimistic intelligence quotient, and emotion regulation of Chinese naval soldiers

Psychological stress is closely related to the mental and physical health of soldiers. We explored the relationships between stress, optimistic intelligence, and emotion regulation in Chinese Navy personnel (N = 452), who completed the General Information Questionnaire, the Psychological Stress Self-Evaluation Test, the Chinese Adult Optimistic Intelligence Quotient Questionnaire, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire in this cross-sectional study. Results show that stress was negatively correlated with perceived happiness and the ability to respond positively to negative events, and positively correlated with emotional regulation, cognitive reappraisal, and expressive suppression. These findings indicate that comprehensive measures using positive psychology techniques should be taken to reduce stress among naval soldiers to enhance their well-being and the military's combat readiness.

Model Aplikasi Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) Untuk Kebijakan Profesionalisme Perwira TNI Angkatan Laut

The development of the Indonesian Navy's strength is carried out through a strategic planning process manifested in four activity programs, namely (1) the Marine Readiness Support Program; (2) Modernization Program for Alutsista and Non-Alutsista as well as the Development of Facilities and Infrastructure for the National Defense for Marine; (3) Professionalism Enhancement Program for Marine Personnel; (4) Marine Management and Operation Implementation Program. The Indonesian Navy realizes that the main strength of all force-building programs lies in the quality of the human resources (HR) possessed by the Indonesian Navy. However, the existing reality reveals various kinds of problems and obstacles that hinder the process of improving the quality of existing human resources. For this reason, the Indonesian Navy seeks to improve the pattern of training for personnel by issuing policies that spur the performance of the personnel development system within the Indonesian Navy. From these problems, a research or modeling is needed that can represent how the influence of the Indonesian Naval Personnel Development Pattern and Indonesian Navy Policy on Officer Professionalism to create superior navy personnel in line with the Indonesian Navy development program towards the World Maritime Axis. The method used in this research is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). There are 27 indicators consisting of 5 indicators of Angkatan Laut policy variables, 13 indicators of personnel development variables and 9 indicators of professionalism. The results showed that there was a significant direct influence between the Angkatan Laut policy variables on personnel development, personnel development on professionalism and Angkatan Laut policies on professionalism. In addition, there is an indirect influence between Angkatan Laut policies on professionalism through personnel development as a mediating variable.