Aerospace and Operational Physiologist

Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiologist (NOBC 0849)

The mission of the Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiology Program (NAOPP) is to provide aerospace and expeditionary force health protection that enhances mission readiness, operational effectiveness, mishap prevention, and warfighter survivability through education, training, research, operational safety, requirements generation, and systems acquisition services. 
 

The NAOPP consists of five inter-dependent elements necessary to meet fleet requirements: 

• Naval Aviation Survival Training Program (NASTP) – Provides qualification to prospective and designated aeronautical personnel, project specialists, and other authorized individuals in the aeromedical aspects of flight and survival. 
• Fleet Air Introduction/Liaison of Survival Aircrew Flight Equipment (FAILSAFE) – Augments acquisition teams with specialized aeromedical and aviation maintenance support. 
• Aeromedical Safety – Provides organic, specialized consultation, assistance, technical liaison, evaluations, training, and education across the Naval Aviation Enterprise. 
• Operational Physiology – Provides specialized consultation, assistance, technical liaison, evaluations, training, education, and recommendations to inform warfighter requirements in direct support to non-aviation forces. 
• Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) and Systems Acquisition – Streamlines requirements generation and acquisition strategies necessary to deliver and sustain aircrew training and aviation life support systems.  

Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiologists (NAOP) utilize their education as applied scientists to develop, test, and improve technology and techniques that optimize human performance, so that naval aircrew personnel, Sailors, and Marines can safely and effectively execute mission critical tasks that span the spectrum of military operations.

NAOPs train in areas of aviation physiology, sensory physiology, acceleration physiology, human performance, life support and survival equipment function, ejection/egress procedures, parachute descent procedures, and extended sea survival. 
 

Prerequisites: 

• United States Citizen.
• Commission before 42nd birthday.
• A master’s or doctoral degree in physiology (cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurology, exercise, chiropractic, or occupational). Degrees in related biology-based sciences (e.g., biology, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, human factors, human systems integration) will be considered. 
• Required courses: Human Anatomy and Physiology levels I and II, 200-Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics, College-level Math (Algebra/Pre-Calculus or above), and Statistics.
• GPA of 3.3 or higher in graduate school, GPA of 3.0 or higher in undergraduate required classes.
• Significant military aviation experience may be considered in place of a graduate degree.
• Must meet aviation medical and physical standards.
• Experience as an instructor desired. 

Training:  

• Officer Development School in Newport, RI – 5 weeks
• Aerospace Physiology Training for Medical Service Corps officers at Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, FL – 6 months 
  • Includes instructor development, flight training, and academics
• NAOP Internship Program (NAOPIP) at one of eight Aviation Survival Training Centers (ASTC) – approx. 2 years
  • ASTC locations: Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, NAS Lemoore, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, NAS Pensacola, NAS Jacksonville, MCAS Cherry Point, Naval Station Norfolk, NAS Patuxent River

Why choose the NAOPP?

• 30 days of annual paid vacation.
• Service member and dependent healthcare options.
• Transferable college tuition benefits, monthly housing and subsistence allowances.
• Blended retirement system offering both monthly pay and accumulated savings plans.

As a warfighter focused specialty, NAOPs also receive special duty pay for logging required flight experiences aboard naval aircraft. 

Following their initial training, NAOPs receive aeronautical designations and “Wings of Gold” before honing their skills as NASTP instructors during their NAOP internships.  After completing their internships, NAOPs may work in a variety of billets and locations supporting advancements in training and education, operational safety, and defense acquisition. This diversity in assignments with Navy and Marine Corps units, some located as far away as Japan, ensures a dynamic and wide range of experiences unparalleled in other services or   the civilian sector. As a NAOP, individuals have an opportunity to serve their country in uniform while utilizing their background in applied sciences to support the operating forces.
 

For more information, please contact the NAOP Specialty Leader at usn.ncr.bumedfchva.list.msc-aerospaceoperationalphysiology@health.mil or visit https://www.navy.com/careers-benefits/careers/medical/aerospace-operational-physiology.