A descriptive analysis of "not aeronautically adaptable" dispositions in the U.S. Navy.
BACKGROUND
All aviation personnel in the U.S. Navy are evaluated for aeronautical adaptability (AA) in both initial and periodic examinations and for daily aeromedical disposition. By definition, all aviation personnel with a diagnosed personality disorder or those with maladaptive personality traits that have had a documented effect on safety of flight, crew coordination, or mission completion, are determined to be Not Aeronautically Adapted (NAA).


METHODS
NAA dispositions were examined for demographic data, basis for disposition, and frequency of personality features.


RESULTS
NAA dispositions were made on the basis of personality disorders and maladaptive personality traits in 29% and 35% of the cases, respectively. The officer and enlisted NAA dispositions were distinctly different in terms of frequency of personality features. Obsessive-compulsive features were present in 58% of officer and 10% of enlisted NAA dispositions. Dependent and avoidant features were present in excess in comparison to psychologically healthy aviators, suggesting the incompatibility of these features with aviation.
Christen
B R
BR
Naval Operational Medicine Institute, Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508-1047, USA.
Moore
J L
JL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009326:Naval Medicine; D010551:Personality; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010556:Personality Tests; D010560:Personnel Selection; D014481:United States; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance