Nontechnical Attribute Training and Development for United States Air Force Special Warfare

Military training should prepare personnel not just for the tasks of today but also for the uncertainty of tomorrow. Fundamentally a talent management activity, military training prepares warfighters to execute occupational and mission critical tasks. Initial and early skills training for Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) aims to efficiently teach the technical knowledge and skills required to perform a particular occupational specialty. A focus on training technical skills alone may, however, miss opportunities to develop valuable nontechnical skills that are important when preparing for future missions in a world with increasingly complex situations. The authors focus on eight crucial nontechnical attributes, analyzing where the skills gaps are in AFSPECWAR training and identifying the most promising interventions to address identified attribute gaps. Physical fitness is a fundamental nontechnical attribute needed for peak performance. Other crucial nontechnical attributes include cognitive skills, such as trainability and problem-solving; intrapersonal skills, such as drive, integrity, and stress tolerance; and interpersonal skills, such as teamwork and effective communication. The authors examine evidence-based best practices for developing each of these attributes. They also offer a research-backed roadmap to support the development of nontechnical attributes more deliberately during training, especially to address performance gaps. This roadmap for nontechnical attribute development could be generalized to the broader Department of the Air Force.