NCJ Number
10005
Date Published
1968
Length
40 pages
Annotation
TWO-PART TECHNICAL REPORT ON PROBLEMS MANAGEMENT OF MEN PERFORMING SENTRY DUTIES IN SECURITY POLICE SQUADRONS.
Abstract
THE PHASE I REPORT COVERS ON-SITE TESTING TO EVALUATE CHANGES IN EFFICIENCY DURING A TOUR OF DUTY AS A SENTRY. SIXTEEN SENTRIES AT FOUR AIR FORCE BASES WERE TESTED ON EACH OF THE THREE SHIFTS FOR THREE SUCCESSIVE DAYS. THE FIELD STUDY SHOWED A PROGRESSIVE INCREASE IN FEELINGS OF FATIGUE WITHOUT A CORRESPONDING LOSS IN ALERTNESS. PHASE II OF THIS RESEARCH COVERED BROADER AREAS OF CONCERN, AND WAS DIRECTED AT QUESTIONS OF JOB SATISFACTION AND INTENT TO RE-ENLIST. TESTING IN THESE AREAS WAS PERFORMED THROUGH TWO SURVEYS, A MORALE SURVEY AND A DAILY TIME ANALYSIS LOG. COMPLAINTS WERE STRONGEST ABOUT EXCESSIVE DUTY HOURS AND INTRUSIONS INTO FREE TIME. CAREER ATTITUDES WERE FOUND TO BE MARKEDLY NEGATIVE. MORALE AND MOTIVATION WERE LOW, DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE JOB, TO THE KIND OF SUPERVISION, AND TO THE RESPECT ACCORDED THE JOB OF SECURITY SENTRY. RECOMMENDATIONS DEALT WITH REDUCING THE WORKLOAD AND ALTERNATING SENTRY DUTY WITH OTHER JOBS. SAMPLES OF THE SURVEYS USED AND THE STATISTICAL RESULTS ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)