Data Analytics to Optimize Human Performance of the USSOCOM Service Members

During SOFIC 2019, SOCOM Commander Army Gen Richard Clarke outlined five command priorities. At least two of those priorities (numbers two and five) greatly focus on human performance and data analytics to improve readiness.

Priority two focused on data science to enhance readiness throughout the life cycle of the Service member spanning recruitment, assessment, selection, training, education, and talent management. Gen Clarke also stated, “data analytics could help maintain readiness and predictability to avoid performance and capacity shortfalls.”

Priority five will “strengthen the force and family.” SOCOM is using new technologies to better understand how the rigors of training and combat can affect the human brain. He also stated, “we will continue to pursue increased human performance by deeper understanding human physiology and the limits of endurance and performance. Our program will focus on ‘pre-habilitation’ as well as rehabilitation.”

David Spirk, Chief Data Officer, USSOCOM highlighted the challenges of harnessing big data, current AI projects within SOCOM, and the need to establish cloud-empowered data and services during his keynote at SOFIC 2019.

These priorities and challenges mesh well with a 2017 Joint Special Operations University Report by Dr.Jennifer Hazen which focused on Post Deployment Support for the Service member. A section within that report titled “Lack of Data” outlines one way to improve readiness and human performance optimization through data analytics. The following is a summary of that section.

·       Data is needed on the most pressing challenges. Data collection initiatives and metrics could assist in understanding when programs need to be adapted or completely changed to improve their benefit to Service members.

·       Data initiatives could maintain records on a program’s history (e.g. reason for changes, outcomes after changes, and the measured impact if the program is completely replaced).

·       Data-intensive initiatives may face resistance due to the U.S. military, primarily due to being ‘over studied’ or Service members not being made aware of the practical applications of ‘academic’ studies.

·       It has been said that USSOCOM has a limited in-house capacity to collect data. Therefore, data collection could be built into daily operations to streamline the process and reduce the burden of data collection. Internal data collection would reduce the concerns about ‘internal problems’ being publicly exposed.

·       Data collection is the first step. Using that data to improve Service members’ well-being is the second challenge.

·       Lastly, a wider distribution of study results to not only to senior leadership but to also those down the chain of command could reduce the resistance of these studies and allow outcomes to implemented in more concentrated ways while data collection is being streamlined into daily operations.

1.      https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2019/5/21/new-socom-leaders-lays-out-command-priorities Date retrieved: 5/23/2019.

2.      Hazen, JM. (2017) Transitioning from War to Peace: Post-Deployment Support for Special Operations Forces. Joint Special Operations University Report 17-8, pp. 28-29.