Analysis of the Benefits of Operational Experience Acquired by Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) Officers Through the Broadening Experience Tour (BEST) Program.

摘要

This research effort was conducted to study the effects that operational experience acquired through the Broadening Experience Tour (BEST) program has on the ability of scientific and development engineering (S and DE) officers to develop useful operator-oriented systems. A review of the related literature revealed that although the Air Force encourages S and DE officers to acquire operational experience, there is no empirical evidence of the reported benefits of this experience. A cross sectional study was undertaken to measure the difference in self reported competency between samples of S and DE officers with and without operational experience. A survey was designed to measure the ability of the S and DE officers to interpret operational requirements, to communicate with the using organizations, and to measure the credibility of their personal judgement. The results of the study revealed the operational experience acquired through the BEST program enhanced the ability of S and DE officers to communicate with the using organizations. Rated officers ranked themselves higher than BEST officers in their ability to interpret operational requirements. No difference was found in the level of credibility between officers with and without operational experience.