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This quote pinpoints how the interrelated spatial, interper- nimble is critical to supporting change-agency. In the next ar-
sonal, and diagnostic conceptual attributes support the func- ticle, we engage a similar process to develop an operational
tion of ambiguity. Attuning to the multi-dimensional levels of model that details the organization, team, and individual level
uncertainty present in unfamiliar spaces enables SOST medics of unconventional resilience as a cohesive ecosystem.
to find new opportunities for action and connects them across
various spaces and times. The process of spatial meaning- Author Contributions
making impacts interpersonal relationship formation such EAJ conceived of this study and wrote the protocol. SLH ob-
that SOST medics are able to connect with people across cul- tained funding and IRB. JD acted as liaison to the Air Force
tural boundaries. The spatial and interpersonal underpinnings Special Operations community in specific the 24 Special Op-
of practical performance support SOST medics’ diagnostic ca- erations Wing and Special Operations Surgical Teams. JD also
pacity in the uncertainty of austere mass casualty triage. As orchestrated all approvals for field observations. EAJ recruited
such, we take spatial, interpersonal, and diagnostic formation participants, collected and analyzed interviews and data, and
to be necessary conditions that strengthen or weaken the ex- drafted the initial taxonomy of themes. EAJ and SLF wrote the
pression of unconventional resilience. first draft of this paper. JD served as AFSOC medical expert
during data analysis process. JB and JW-B provided substan-
Ambiguity also connects back into the component of dyna- tive feedback to second draft. JB served as military medical
mism because it is a necessary reality that emerges in the face expert in redacting findings. All authors read and approved
of change, which is an inherent aspect of practical perfor- the final manuscript.
mance in real time. When SOST medics wrestle with the pro-
cess of interpreting uncertainty instead of eschewing it, new Disclaimer
opportunities for movement are potentiated. The conceptual The Public Affairs Office and the United States Air Force 60th
attributes attendant to ambiguity underpin the SOST medic’s Medical Group at Travis Air Force Base has approved this
ability to find, explain, and connect human behavior and in- publication for universal distribution. The AFRL’s Institutional
jury patterns to specific locations across space and time. In Review Board approved the study as an exempt protocol
other words, SOST medics develop a three-dimensional form (FWR20200104) in August 2020. The information, content,
of holistic diagnosis that enables their ability to make associ- and/or conclusions do not necessarily represent the official
ations that reinforce their medical-martial identity. Therefore, position or policy of AFRL-USAFSAM, the Department of De-
the components of dynamism and ambiguity buttress freedom fense, or the U.S. Government.
of maneuver as the integrated process of transformational
change-agency. Disclosures
EAJ served as the senior lead research scientist on this project
Conclusion: The Practical Importance of our and was paid through the following contracting companies:
Strategic Framework of Unconventional Resilience Parsons Corporation, ABSS Solutions, Inc./1st American Sys-
tems and Services, LLC, and Innovative Employee Solutions.
Having defined unconventional resilience and described the All other authors report no financial disclosures.
interdependent components with their conceptual attributes,
we have constructed a strategic framework that begins to an- Funding
swer our research question: “What is resilience?” To conclude, This research is sponsored by funding (#FU 20-042) from the
we need to briefly explore why developing and relying on a Air Force Research Lab-U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace
strategic framework has a pragmatic importance to all SOF Medicine (AFRL-USAFSAM) through the Studies and Analysis
medics. To reiterate what was discussed in our first article and Program.
the introduction, catastrophic injury exposure is a phenom-
enon central to the practical performance of all SOF medics References
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to enhance freedom of maneuver. As such, being conceptually

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