Date of Award

3-2002

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Alfred E. Thal, Jr., PhD

Abstract

A statistical analysis of deployed and deploying airmen was conducted to provide insight and defensible support for Aerospace Expeditionary Force Center commanders to base teaming initiatives and policy decisions. To ensure that the results of this research are applicable across the Air Force, the research examined the effect of the Aerospace Expeditionary Force deployment process, comprised of individual anxiety, group unity, and work-group characteristics, on team cohesion, deployment commitment, and team effectiveness. The sample obtained included 643 airmen who had deployed within a 12-month period or who were scheduled to deploy within the next 3-month period. The results of the study indicate that the Aerospace Expeditionary Force team deployment process has indeed positively affected team cohesion and perceived team effectiveness. These results were found to be positive regardless of whether individuals deployed as teams from the same base or as individuals from separate bases. These findings indicate that it may be satisfactory to deploy individuals by themselves, but that commanders should take all measures necessary to avoid doing so as the deployment commitment and perceived team effectiveness relationship is positively affected by individuals deploying as a team and negatively affected by individuals deploying by themselves.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENV-02M-18

DTIC Accession Number

ADA401021

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