WHO WE ARE

Aerospace Experimental Psychologists are flight-trained Naval Officers who apply their expertise in human factors and the behavioral sciences toward solving human performance challenges in naval aviation and across the fleet.

  • AEPs receive direct commissions to serve in the U.S. Navy for a minimum of 3 years. Prior to this initial service requirement, AEPs undergo approximately 1 year of training to learn how to conduct themselves as naval officers and to acquire the basic knowledge and skills required to serve in the AEP community, including completion of a flight training syllabus.
  • AEPs specialize in areas of human factors and the behavioral sciences, including non-clinical areas of psychology including cognitive, experimental, and industrial/organizational psychology, neuroscience, and related disciplines. AEPs are classified as Navy Medical Service Corps officers, along with other staff officer specialties such as physiologists, optometrists, and healthcare administrators.
  • AEPs wear “wings of gold” adorned with the Medical Service Corps insignia – an oak leaf and twig – that distinguishes them from other aviation communities such as pilots and aircrew. AEPs receive special flight pay in exchange for meeting a monthly flight time requirement. Flight time provides AEPs the opportunity to interact with aircrew and maintain familiarity with the stressors of the flight environment. After initial training, our flight time is generally spent in an observer capacity, although AEPs are authorized to handle flight controls in any dual-control aircraft.
  • AEPs serve as researchers, program managers, professors, trainers, and scientific advisors in a variety of positions across the continental US. AEPs receive new assignments every 3 years, typically to new locations in the continental US, which gives them broad experiences, and increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.
  • AEPs and their families are qualified to receive all benefits provided to military members, including Tricare medical, dental, commissary privileges, discounts at stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues, VA Loans, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a government pension…to name a few.

MISSION

Optimize human performance in the flight environment through advancements in Human Systems Integration (HSI), personnel selection, training, safety, and human factors engineering. Click on the widgets below to learn more about each of these focus areas.

Click on the widgets below to learn more about each of these focus areas.

HSI is central to almost everything AEPs do, as most of our work touches one or more of these domains at all times. HSI has many different definitions across private industry and the Department of Defense. HSI practice is focused on ensuring that all factors affecting human users and stakeholders for material systems are considered in a system’s design and support. Research in HSI falls into categories including Manpower, Personnel, Training, Human Factors, Survivability, Health Hazards, System Safety, and Habitability.

Personnel Selection involves both research and applied work in the scientific study of individual differences, assessment procedures, and organizational performance. Beginning in World War II, AEPs developed the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB), which is the primary tool for selecting pilots and flight officers for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The ASTB is a nationally normed, psychometrically validated, computer-adaptive assessment designed to predict success in Naval aviation training administered to 7,500 examinees per year, akin to an ACT/SAT for naval aviation that targets more constructs.

The ASTB today is still administered and maintained by the AEP community.

Training involves both research and applied work in designing training curriculum, evaluating and incorporating new technology, and assessing the effectiveness and transferability of training. AEPs conduct a variety of work in this area. For example, AEPs are currently validating the use of extended reality programs, including augmented, virtual, and mixed reality, and devices for reducing time-to-train aviators in a safe, repeatable, and realistic manner without sacrificing the benefits of live training. AEPs are also working to incorporate machine learning and adaptive training into aviation, and new technologies for parachute safety and hypoxia recognition and mitigation into aviation survival training.

The focus area of Safety involves both research and applied work in conducting risk assessments, developing accident prevention, conducting mishap analysis, reporting, and outreach. AEPs developed the DOD Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), the primary investigation tool for determining causal and contributing factors to aviation mishaps. Today HFACS is used around the world by industries including mining, healthcare, construction, and rail to identify the root causes of accidents and errors in order to prevent and mitigate them. AEPs continue this legacy of safety research by developing tools, techniques and best practices for improving mishap avoidance and evaluation.

Human Factors Engineering uses knowledge of human abilities and limitations to design systems, organizations, jobs, machines, tools, and consumer products for safe, efficient, and comfortable human use. AEPs perform this role across a wide variety of domains. For instance, AEPs have diagnosed and addressed problems with aircrew spatial disorientation and sonar cable deployment and maintenance in the H-60R helicopter community. AEPs have also worked on airspace utilization for numerous Unmanned Aerial Systems, and conducted human factors evaluation and program management work for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in multiple capacities.

AEP work includes many more narrowly defined areas of work that do not fall neatly into any of the above categories, including neuroscience, program management, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and human-autonomy interaction. Contact us at the email address below with questions about this type of work. We will be happy to discuss any of these areas of practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

WHAT IT TAKES

There are two pathways to becoming an AEP:

1. We are interested in PhD scientists with expertise in human factors and the behavioral sciences, including non-clinical areas of psychology such as cognitive, experimental, and industrial/organizational psychology, neuroscience, or an inter-disciplinary program emphasizing human factors or behavioral science.

2. We also recruit experienced military personnel who have a Master’s Degree in one of the above areas and at least four years of commissioned service relevant to AEP interests. Active duty candidates must meet their respective lateral transfer or interservice transfer requirements to be eligible.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, willing to serve worldwide, eligible for a Secret security clearance, able to commission before their 42nd birthday, and meet the qualifications for flight duty.

All candidates undergo a thorough background check into their criminal and medical history to evaluate suitability for service. Potential disqualifiers include evidence of behaviors that cast doubt on the candidate’s judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness.

Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Consistent with the two pathways to becoming an AEP, candidates must either have:

1. A PhD in human factors and the behavioral sciences, including non-clinical areas of psychology such as cognitive, experimental, and industrial/organizational psychology, neuroscience, or an inter-disciplinary program emphasizing human factors or behavioral science

or

2. A Master’s Degree in one of the above areas and at least four years of commissioned service relevant to AEP interests

•NOTE: The recruitment and pre-screening process often begins well before candidates have met their educational requirements. If you are a PhD student who has not yet defended a dissertation, you are encouraged to contact us at the email address below. The AEP Recruitment Team Coordinator will work with you to track your progress, work with your recruiter where applicable, and answer your questions.

AEPs must be able to meet the physical readiness standards for active duty positions as well as those specific to duties involving flight. Physical fitness is a job requirement.

• Candidates should be in good health with a benign medical history.

• Candidates will undergo a series of physical examinations to determine their eligibility. The first of these is a standard physical exam at their local Military Entry Processing Station (MEPS). Those who pass the MEPS physical will then undergo a Class II flight physical examination typically conducted at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI) in Pensacola, FL. The flight physical will verify if the candidate is medically and physically fit for duties involving flight, and includes anthropometric measures, vision, and hearing assessments.

◦ Note that in order to be eligible to pass a flight physical, candidates must be free of any mood-altering medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs for at least one year before they will be eligible for flight training.

• Eyesight must correctable to 20/20 in both eyes. Color vision/depth perception should be normal. All other systems must be normal and not compromised by the flight environment. Glasses or contacts are fine, as long as they yield 20/20 vision when worn.

• The standard military physical readiness test includes push-up and sit-up strength exercises and cardio events consisting of running, stationary cycling, or swimming. Candidates will be prescreened in these areas to verify they meet the minimum standards.

• Swimming ability should exceed basic staying afloat skills. For those individuals whose swimming skills are weak, additional training should be considered.

TRAINING

HOW TO EARN YOUR WINGS.

Training to become a Navy AEP takes dedication and commitment, but is likely to be one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of your life! Read below on the basic steps involved in earning your wings of gold.

Length: 5 weeks

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

The first stop on your journey is Officer Development School (ODS). ODS is the foundation for your success as a Naval Officer. This course provides Staff Corps Officers and several Restricted Line designators with a basic introduction into the fundamental aspects of leadership while providing a working knowledge of available references. You will receive instruction in Naval Leadership, administration, organization, sea power, military law, military indoctrination, Naval warfare and damage control. ODS is physically and mentally demanding. You can expect 2-3 days a week of strength and conditioning exercises, including pushups, sit-ups, and various other exercises, and will run 2-3 times per week, including cone drills, sprints, and sustained runs. Students are required to complete 2 Navy Physical Readiness Tests (PRTs) before they can successfully graduate ODS.

Length: 6 weeks

Location: Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida

Once successfully completing ODS, your next stop will be Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation (NIFE). Here you will join other aviation candidates from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. NIFE is the first official stop for military aviation students, and it is a tough one. You will be challenged both academically and physically. Classes start early in the morning, tests are frequent, and the pace is fast. Subjects include aerodynamics, air navigation, meteorology, aircraft engines, and FAA rules and regulations. NIFE also includes water survival training. You can expect to spend 1-2 hours in the pool per day during the first portion of NIFE.

Length: approx. 10 weeks

Location: Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida

Once you complete API, you enter into the primary fixed wing flight program, where you will learn the basics of how to control an airplane. There are six stages in this program, which include ground school training to learn aircraft control familiarization, basic instruments, precision aerobatics, formation, night familiarization, and radio instruments. You will also spend time in both static and full-motion simulators, and then finally you will learn to fly in a T-6 Texan II training aircraft.

Length: approx. 10 weeks

Location: Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Florida

Once you complete the assigned primary flight syllabus, you will begin helicopter rotary wing training, where you will learn to fly a helicopter. Here you will learn the unique characteristics and tactics of rotary-wing aviation, and undergo an abbreviated flight syllabus consisting of ground school, static and full-motion simulators, and several flights in the TH-57B/C training helicopter.

Length: 6 weeks

Location: Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, Pensacola, Florida

In this classroom-based training, you will further develop skills in aerospace psychology, with particular emphasis on those areas which are especially pertinent to the aviation environment: vision, human performance, human factors engineering, research and development, test and evaluation techniques, training systems, systems acquisition, and human research requirements. You will also learn more about occupational and environmental medicine, safety, aircraft accident investigation, and crash survivability assessments.

Once you complete this phase of training, you will earn your wings and be designated an Aerospace Experimental Psychologist!

WHERE WE SERVE

PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT

All AEP jobs are located within the continental US. The work settings include research laboratories, test and development agencies, academic institutions, and headquarters commands. The “mission” for each duty station varies considerably. AEPs are encouraged to diversify their assignments over time to develop expertise across multiple competency areas. Most commands have in-house capabilities, such that AEPs can conduct the majority of their work assignments “on station.” However, AEPs often become involved in projects that involve travel to other commands or military units to perform their work (e.g., for operational data collection at a squadron).

Where you are assigned is a combination of your area of expertise and the current openings across the community. These decisions are made cooperatively between you, the community specialty leader, and your Navy detailer. During training you will have the opportunity to speak with and visit several other AEPs who work in different places across the country. This familiarization is designed to give you as much information about the various job opportunities and work environments that you can expect as an AEP. Below are brief descriptions of the current job assignments of the AEP community.

East Coast

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is the Navy’s full-spectrum corporate laboratory, conducting a broadly based multidisciplinary program of scientific research and advanced technological development directed toward maritime applications of new and improved materials, techniques, equipment, systems and ocean, atmospheric, and space sciences and related technologies. AEPs serving at NRL typically work in Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence, or the Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research. At NRL, you will have opportunities to conduct your own research, interact with individuals in government, industry, and academia, manage other research programs, and serve as a scientific advisor and technical expert to senior leadership and international organizations such as NATO.

AEPs serving at the Navy Medical Research Center (NMRC) serve as  scientists who focus on a variety of research projects in such areas as infectious diseases; biological warfare detection and defense; combat casualty care; environment health concerns; bone marrow research and registry; aerospace and undersea medicine; medical modeling, simulation and operational mission support; and epidemiology and behavioral sciences. Most of the work conducted at the laboratory is in the advanced development stage and requires close and continuous interaction with operational units of the Navy, Marine Corps, and DoD.

The AEP serving at PMS-408 is the Fleet Liaison for Expeditionary Medicine and is responsible for supporting RDT&E and acquisition of systems and equipment designed to meet operational needs.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is the primary funding agency of the US Navy and Marine Corps (think NIH or NSF for the Navy). ONR plans, fosters, and encourages scientific research in recognition of its paramount importance as related to the maintenance of future naval power, and the preservation of national security. AEPs typically serve as Program Officers at ONR in mid- or late-career (third tour or beyond).

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the Department of Defense’s premier research and development agency, responsible for creating and fostering imaginative, innovative, and often high-risk research yielding revolutionary technological advances in support of the US military. Senior AEPs at DARPA act as Program Managers for high-risk basic and applied research and development programs in support of human-technology integration, medical research, and innovative training technologies. AEPs are responsible for all phases of the R&D acquisitions process, and lead major technology demonstrations involving researchers across Academia, Industry, Operational Forces, Service Laboratories, and Joint Commands.

The Naval Air Systems Command Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is responsible for Science and Technology and Systems Engineering support for the acquisition of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft systems. The Human Systems Department provides full spectrum life cycle research and engineering support to optimize operator and maintainer effectiveness and survivability through hardware solutions and human factors design.

AEPs at NAWCAD are responsible for (1) designing and conducting research projects to develop and evaluate new human systems technologies for aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems, (2) providing human factors analysis and support to aviation acquisition programs, and (3) providing research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) support to local flight test squadrons.

The AEP at Program Manager, Air 205 (PMA 205) serves as the Program Manager for the Advanced Training Technologies Integrated Product Team.  This position is responsible for Science & Technology, Research & Development, and Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer programs supporting training for all Navy platforms. This AEP researches, invests, develops, budgets, plans, manages, and transitions innovative aviation technologies to meet current requirements and emerging fleet needs.

The AEP serving at the Naval Safety Center (NSC) is responsible for providing analyses regarding human factors for aviation mishaps to Commander, Naval Safety Center.  The Billet is responsible for the identification of leading factors for aviation mishaps, for providing guidance toward safety policy, and for conducting squadron Aeromedical safety surveys.

Gulf Coast / Southeast

The Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI) is responsible for the management and oversight of all aviation medical programs and requirements. AEP at NAMI work on the ongoing evaluation, validation and occasional revision of the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB). They also have the opportunity to conduct research on a variety of factors, utilizing a computer-based assessment laboratory owned and operated by the operational psychology department. Student AEPs are assigned to NAMI while they are in training, so all prospective AEPs have an opportunity to experience NAMI and Pensacola firsthand.

The School of Aviation Safety (SAS) is responsible for the training and education of Aviation Safety Officer and prospective Commanding and Executive Officers at Naval Aviation Schools Command. AEPs who serve at SAS teach classes in aviation human factors, hazard identification, risks mitigation, aviation investigations and mishap reporting.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) is aligned under Naval Air Systems Command as the center of excellence for training system research, development, and acquisition. AEPs at NAWCTSD perform research, design, human factors work, and validation of training techniques and technologies, as well as programmatic support for training system acquisition programs. AEPs work directly with fleet subject matter experts to ensure products delivered meet fleet requirements.

The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) is responsible for undergraduate Pilot and Military Flight Officer training for all Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard students. AEPs at CNATRA serve as policy and technical advisors to senior leadership on issues related to selection, training, and student performance evaluation. They typically serve as technical experts in data analytics and statistical analyses, and work on projects to improve aviation training, manage time to train, training attrition, attrition, training diversity, and other applied problems.

Central US

The mission of the Naval Medical Research Unit- Dayton (NAMRU-D) is to maximize warfighter performance and survivability through premiere aeromedical and environmental health research.  The billet is in the Aeromedical Research Department, Division of Biomedical, Cognitive, and Aviation Selection Research. The AEP in this billet is responsible for (1) designing and conducting innovative basic and applied cognitive, psychomotor, and psychophysiological research aimed at improving aviation selection standards, training, and performance, (2) publishing and presenting research to promote NAMRU’s mission and contribute to scientific advancement within the fields of aviation medicine and environmental health, and (3) ensuring compliance with guidelines to protect the health and welfare of human research subjects as a member of the command Institutional Review Board (IRB).

The AEP assigned to the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) billet serves as a Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership and is responsible for teaching courses, directing and conducting research, mentoring cadets, and coordinating Navy/USAF (midshipmen & cadet) programs. This is part of an interservice exchange program, which promotes leadership and development by involving officers from across multiple services.

Courses taught include Human Factors, Aviation Psychology, Research Methods and Statistics, Introduction to Behavioral Science, and associated courses in cognition, learning & memory, and biopsychology.  Additional duties include serving as director of research, supervising cadet research, and mentoring cadets directly and through formal programs such as Basic Cadet Training, Cadet Commanders’ Leadership Enrichment Seminar, Squadron Academics Officer, and the Cadet Summer Research Program.  As a member of a small Navy contingent, the AEP is also responsible for mentoring Navy exchange cadets, screening cadets for cross-commissioning, and coordinating Navy-specific programs.

West Coast

The Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) develops and delivers operational biomedical research solutions that enhance the health, safety, readiness, and performance of our military forces.  AEPs serving at NHRC conduct research supporting personnel health and readiness in areas such as musculoskeletal injury prevention, stress, mental health, suicide, and domestic violence. They are also responsible for conducting innovative research to optimize personnel health and readiness, working with other departments to evaluate the potential impacts of interventions, technologies, programs, and policies on aviation personnel, and developing and managing research contracts.

The Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific (COMNAVSURFPAC) is responsible delivering and sustaining full-spectrum naval power that is balanced, affordable and resilient, leading Surface Warfare policy and standardization issues with a fleet focused perspective, and for developing the professional expertise of nearly 70,000 members of the surface force. The AEP at COMNAVSURFPAC addresses a multitude of crew performance and human factors issues (e.g., fatigue management and resiliency) that are challenge the operational readiness and safety our Sailors. Specifically focused on the Safety mission, the AEP executes Fleet-enhancing human performance efforts focused on fatigue management, human factors, human systems integration, talent management, and leadership development.

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is one of the country’s premier graduate institutions, and provides certificate programs, masters and doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines to US and International service members and select civilians. AEPs at NPS serve as Professors in the Operations Research Department and are responsible for providing graduate level education of Military, Civilian, and International Students. Specifically, the position is responsible for teaching courses in the Human Systems Integration (HSI) domains including Human Factors Engineering, System Safety, Health Hazards, Personnel Survivability, Manpower, Personnel, and Training, and their roles in system design, acquisition, and life cycle sustainment while considering trade-offs among cost, schedule, and performance.

The AEP typically serves as the Chair of the Institutional Review Board for all human research work conducted, which requires regular interaction with administration, faculty, and students and reports directly to the NPS President. The AEP mentors graduate students to become fully capable of conducting independent research into military applications and human performance studies, and to develop and maintain a world class research program in operations research and related areas.