Mission

At the Military Readiness Psychology Fellowship and through our partnerships, we are united by a steadfast commitment to the well-being, readiness, and performance of our military members. Rooted in the principles of behavioral science, we dedicate our expertise to understanding and enhancing the psychological factors that shape the success and resilience of those who serve their nation.

Vision

A force of unified expert Health Psychologists positioned throughout the joint services in areas of clinical practice, research, prevention, command consultation, and education, optimizing the health and full spectrum readiness of DoD forces around the globe.

Aims

• Service to Those Who Serve: We exist to serve those who have dedicated themselves to defending our nation. Our unwavering dedication is not only to our profession but to the individuals who depend on us for support and guidance.
• Scientific Rigor: We hold the highest standards of scientific inquiry, rigor, and objectivity. Our research is guided by a commitment to empirical evidence, ethical research practices, and peer-reviewed methodologies.
• Enhanced Innovation and Flexibility: The ever-evolving landscape of military service demands that we remain agile and adaptable. We stay at the forefront of our field by embracing continuous learning, innovation, and the integration of emerging insights into our research.
• Collaborative Insights: We value collaboration, both within our group and with other professionals and experts in related fields. By working in interdisciplinary teams, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted issues our military members face.
• Unwavering Commitment to Excellence: Excellence is the cornerstone of our ethos. We are driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence in all that we do, from our research endeavors to our support for the military community.

In embodying these principles, we stand as a dedicated force in support of the psychological well-being and performance of our military members. We understand that our work holds the power to transform lives and contribute to the strength and readiness of our armed forces. With unwavering dedication, we pledge to continue this vital mission, serving as advocates, researchers, and allies to those who serve our great nation.

• Weekly Group Supervision
• Weekly Reading schedule for books and articles
• Regularly scheduled trainings in supervision of pre-doctoral interns
• Training in Motivational Interviewing as both clinician and trainer

First year

The initial six months will focus on training general Clinical Health Psychology concepts and interventions, training in supervision of pre-doctoral interns on a health psychology rotation, training on and delivery of group care pathways (weight, sleep, biofeedback).

The second six months pivot to training in interdisciplinary care as fellows rotate for two days per week at the Center for the Intrepid while continuing their supervision of pre-doctoral interns on health psychology rotation and engage in advanced biofeedback training. The CFI rotation provides on-site supervision with an adjunct faculty member who specializes in pain treatment and functional restoration programming from a wholistic and interdisciplinary care model.

Second year

Fellows produce a proposal for an elective focus in their 2nd year which follows a balance of 50% clinical care in a specialty setting of choice (can embed in another clinic) and supervision of interns as a long-term preceptor supervisor. The remaining 50% of the time is divided into 20% program development, 20% operational/line-related research, 10% command or leadership consultation practice or skill development.

The first year of fellowship is largely prescriptive with an opportunity to seek a military unique curriculum (MUC) experience week. The second-year practice and project topics are largely elective in nature while maintaining a balance of both throughout the year. Fellows are given the opportunity to select a practice area and specialty clinic to prioritize for specialization for the duration of their second year. Past fellows have elected to specialize with integration in pain at the Center for the Intrepid, sleep medicine, women’s health, cardiology, pulmonology, disease management and nutrition, and primary care settings.

Regarding projects, fellows can elect to prioritize work with a variety of units/topic areas and develop a plan for their elective project/research emphasis rotation during their first year to optimize efforts in second year. Past fellows have focused on clinical research with sleep medicine, weight management, chronic pain, women’s health, and others. Line-related research has been conducted in collaboration with 2nd Air Force, 37th Training Wing (Basic Military Training), other specific training technical school (Maintenance, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Air Traffic Control), Air Force Medical Readiness Agency, and with the office of the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff. Topics of research have largely been related to health behaviors such as sleep, alcohol, tobacco, weight management, motivational interviewing for behavior change, and other broad behavioral science design programming.

While our entire programming is focused on health factors associated with military readiness, the military unique curriculum can be identified by the program development topics, military unit partnerships driving research initiatives, and a focus on developing leaders and trainers for broader military leadership communities. Fellows are afforded an opportunity to partner with other psychologists and line leaders to design a week-long MUC experience that can be funded by SAUSHEC to allow for unique opportunities to travel and gain experience that cannot otherwise be offered locally.

Past MUC experiences include a week-long occupational medicine unit assessment with the 711th Human Performance Wing lead research psychologist, week-long coaching training events with leaders in the Strategic Studies Group from Headquarters Air Force, and week-long personnel assessment and selection events for career fields in special operations.

Fellows are required to complete a biofeedback training course while other required courses and trainings are provided directly by the fellowship faculty on-site.

The primary simulation experience throughout fellowship is related to verbal skill development in motivational interviewing, group clinical intervention delivery, and biofeedback technical skills. There are additional opportunities to practice leadership coaching and consultation which will result in deliberate practice and feedback to sharpen professional communication skills with leaders in the organization and partners outside the organization, when indicated.

As previously noted, much of the curriculum is delivered by the fellowship faculty members as it pertains to leadership training. New opportunities exist to gain experience in executive coaching skills through both official and on-site training by fellowship faculty and through other academic institutions.

Fellows are expected to lead a research project during their fellowship and expected to contribute to at least one presentation at a professional conference or a paper submitted for peer-reviewed publication. Opportunities exist to collaborate on projects with University of Virginia, Baylor University, STRONG STAR, and any other academic institution that might generate valuable team efforts for researching military readiness factors valued by various unit leaders as organizational partners. Research training opportunities exist through primarily mentorship by seasoned research partners as well as conference attendance for fellows. The bulk of research being done by fellows is characterized as quality improvement projects and are endorsed by the local Medical Institutional Review Board.

Fellows are most often engaged in research projects that are characterized as Quality Improvement by the Institutional Review Board, as noted above. Further emphasis of quality improvement programming exists in the second year of fellowship when fellows are expected to monitor administrative processing in the clinic, training of residents, and program development practices throughout the duration of their second year. This is often done both with existing clinic management activities as well as elective opportunities for fellows to develop proficiency in their areas of interest.

Professional development opportunities exist through formal supervision and mentorship within the fellowship, with external adjunct faculty, and through programming endorsed by the USAF as an organization. Some of these experiences are through partnerships with the 711th Human Performance Wing, 37th Training Wing, Center for the Intrepid, and the Readiness and Performance Lab where fellows select their areas of interest and identify mentors to guide them through the stages of development in each area of expertise. Further, fellows are encouraged to seek additional opportunities throughout the USAF to achieve their long-term goals, one example would be to engage with Air University or other training entities to identify opportunities to grow as an officer and professional.

• Center for the Intrepid (at BAMC)
• 711th Human Performance Wing
• 37th Training Wing
• University of Virginia
• Special Warfare Training Support Group
• Baylor University
• Other opportunities to partner exist as available or when fellows identify an area of interest in their elective proposals.

The annual call for applications in the Air Force Institute of Technology Health Profession Education Review Board lists this fellowship program’s application requirements and are subject to change. Typically the board requires applicants to Clinical and counseling psychologists are eligible to apply if they have completed a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and psychology internship from APA-accredited programs or are actively completing an Air Force internship and are in good standing in their training programs. Applicants who have completed all academic requirements, but do not yet have a doctoral diploma in hand, must submit a letter from the director of graduate studies verifying the completion of all degree requirements.

Active duty Clinical Psychologists must have the fully qualified Clinical Psychology AFSC (42P3) and, in the opinion of the selection board, be "promotable", meaning have an outstanding Officer Performance Report history and have completed appropriate Professional Military Education in accord with current rank.

Civilian applicants who wish to enter active duty in the U.S. Air Force must meet the criteria for commissioning as an active duty Air Force officer and should begin the accessions process approximately 18 months prior to the academic year in which they would seek to enter the fellowship. Rarely, civilian fellowship positions are available through grant-funded projects with no obligation to enter active duty upon completion of the fellowship program. Additional information for potential civilian applicants can be obtained from the fellowship program director.

Candidates for the Fellowship are considered with the Air Force Institute of Technology Health Profession Education Review Board application packages each year once the advertisement is distributed. The number of fellows is determined by the USAF HPERB and may change from year to year.

The fellowship is looking for candidates with a track-record of high academic performance and leadership. The USAF needs well-rounded leaders with a desire to serve and provide excellent care! Additional application requirements are distributed by the Psychology Career Field Consultant when the advertisement is made for HPERB fellowship applications each year.

Specialty board examination is not required by this fellowship, however graduates often apply for the American Board of Professional Psychology in either Clinical Health Psychology or the Organizational and Business Consulting Psychology boards.

Fellows are given ample opportunities for training predoctoral psychology interns, clinical social work fellows, and closely related medical career fields (to include paraprofessional technicians) in clinical interventions and skill development.

Faculty members are board certified by American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Health Psychology or are pursuing board certification in either Clinical Health Psychology or Organizational and Business Consulting Psychology. Additional board certification in Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Biofeedback also exists among program faculty.

Fellows receive mentorship through faculty supervision, group supervision, second year fellows mentor first year fellows, and adjunct faculty provide ample opportunity for mentors with optimal professional experience for most fellows’ areas of interest. Fellows are also provided ample opportunity to practice mentorship skills for predoctoral psychology trainees and receive feedback on their mentorship throughout the fellowship training years. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, fellows may also (as available) seek coaching training experiences to improve their mentorship skills during their tenure on fellowship.

Purposeful self-care programming includes off-site collaboration meetings, weekly allotted time for physical training to maximize physical activity and emphasize achieving balance, off-site mentorship lunch outings with current and former faculty and mentors, as well as novel off-site training opportunities that often include physical activity such as training with special warfare trainees and cadre.