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provide individualized feedback and create opportunities for common language for the embedded asset to understand the
manipulating one or more of those constraints to train, test, immediate goals specific to the LOE requesting support. Sepa-
and evaluate performance. rating the training into the constraints of performer, task, and
environment organizes the request for support into mutually
Broadening Focus to a Systems Emphasis understood concepts between the embedded professional and
Systems theory provides a conceptual framework for sustain- the Servicemember. The LOE approach, conceptually framed
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able performance psychology service delivery within a HPO in systems theory and pragmatically guided by using CLA,
team embedded in a military unit. The basic premise of sys- provides the embedded asset with valuable, culturally sensitive
tems theory is that the relative quality of a system is more insights into the HPO team, military unit, and specific LOE.
closely represented by how the internal and external forces This approach brings awareness to social acceptance through
interact with system elements. This is in contrast to the needs an enhanced understanding of the activity, the people who
of the system identified by using a simple needs analysis. participate in the activity, and what people expect from each
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Considering both functional and mechanistic explanations, other during that activity. 43
as well as organic and developmental differences, provides a
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comprehensive perspective and framework for understanding
how each aspect of a system can be improved to fit, develop, Conclusion and Future Directions
and thrive. Interest in the relevance of the psychological and cognitive do-
main within POTFF and across the DoD continues to increase
For example, individual HPO assets need to understand their alongside emphasis on operational readiness, lethality, and op-
role on the HPO team and how the HPO team fits within their timal performance. Applications of psychology and respective
assigned military unit. Specifically, they need to understand programs designed to support warfighters continue to evolve
and appreciate the purpose and/or specialty of the assigned to include the full spectrum of health and performance needs.
military unit, the origins and history of the warfighters as- Integration of performance psychology services should evolve
signed to that unit, their expected growth and development. to better meet warfighter training demands and fit within the
They also need to ultimately know how both the HPO team specifics of each individual military unit and their respective
and military unit fit within progressively larger military com- career fields. This article has provided a brief overview of the
mand structures. Understanding how those structures are many strategies available to enhance performance psychology
interrelated organizes the efforts of embedded assets within services across the DoD. Future discussions should explore
their own teams, military unit, and their interactions with each complex issues related to manning, including how to improve
other. position descriptions to better match practitioner capabilities
with individual and unit needs. These conversations should
The Lines of Effort (LOE) organizational approach uses com- also include better defining optimal ratios of professionals to
mon military language to mirror the organizational structure warfighter. More research needs to be done on how to enhance
of the specific unit to better understand how the people, tasks, practitioner competence to serve in embedded performance
and environments interact. It also encourages them to or- asset roles, enhance shared understanding among HPO and
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ganize and direct their efforts when only one embedded pro- medical assets, and establish limits based on clearly defining
fessional is assigned to serve in military units with thousands individual asset capabilities. These changes would foster more
of personnel. Although performance psychology professionals collaborative, holistic, and impactful delivery of performance
represent a broad set of capabilities, a relatively small number psychology services (as well as services across all domains of
of embedded assets are expected to serve a large number of TFF). They could provide the warfighter with full spectrum
warfighters, which matches the organizational model of the support across all domains of POTFF and TFF throughout
military unit. Table 1 outlines the standardized organization their lifespan.
of the LOE approach.
Acknowledgments
The LOE approach can prompt a mutually inclusive envi- The authors would like to thank MAJ Carl D. Smith, PhD,
ronment between the HPO team and warfighters within the and Beth McNally for their comments and contributions to
HPO service delivery model. The LOE approach provides a earlier versions of this manuscript.

TABLE 1 Lines of Effort (LOE) Categories for Performance Psychology Service Delivery
Lines of Effort (LOE)
Institutional
Individual Team (formal professional development) Organizational
• Understanding individual • Understanding group dynamics • Teaching and coaching • Teaching and transferring
personality and self- and team goals performance strategies leadership concepts and
improvement goals • Advising Cadre on feedback approaches
approach and training design
• Discovering individual • Discovering group behavioral • Developing motivational • Developing a sustainable
behavioral tendencies tendencies climates culture of behavior and
• Self-referenced and, or self- • Professional leadership • Maximizing training value values
selected performance goals development
• Focus on integration of skills • Focus on influencing group • Focus on education and training • Focus on systems change
under varying stress levels and social dynamics
• Advising, consulting, and tailoring training to meet the specific demands of the individual or team
• Applications of concepts like goal-setting, self-talk, self-regulation, imagery, motivation, confidence, and decision making

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