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Show August 28, 1 997 19 What 'type are you? by Douglas J. Gilbert Press Service American Forces WASHINGTON - Gathered around the conference waited for the table, about two dozen class to begin. Some clustered in small groups, punctuating office gossip with the occasional loud guffaw. rs Others idly stirred and sipped coffee or munched donuts. A few sat quietly, alone with their thoughts. Almost anyone could pick out the extroverts and introverts in this group. But to a trained observer, their actions and speech revealed much more about who they are and why they act and react the way they do. By morning's end, they, too, would better understand themselves and the people in their lives. The Myers-Brigg- s Type Indicator would provide this information. Using ideas put forth by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, Katherine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, developed the indicator, now widely used by executives, military leaders, educators and others to better understand personality differences. Such knowledge, said instructor Edie Alexander, can improve communications, promote teamwork and enhance lives. "Myers-Brigg- s helps us understand and accept the differences in how we perceive other people and situations and how we react," said Alexander, who in March joined the American Forces Information Service training directorate in Alexandria, Va. This knowledge, she said, "helps individuals make right decisions about their careers and lives, helps organizations achieve greater productivity and helps educators bring out the best in their students." formula presents 16 personality The Myers-Brigg- s Alexander types, explained. The indicators position people on four continuums: extroversion-introversion, sensing-intuitio- n, thinking-feelin- judging-perceivin- g, g. Persons taking the class first must complete a questionnaire that a Myers-Brigg- s certified trainer (Alexanfor scores. der, example) "How someone answers the questions gives us a fairly accurate indicator of personality types," Alexander said. "We follow that up with the classroom session to teach people how to use this information to their advantage." A major benefit of knowing one's type, Alexander said, is "learning what you think of as deficiencies are really strengths. Everyone has preferred characteristics - introversion or extroversion, for example," she said. "Once we understand we have certain tendencies, we learn not to feel apologetic for being 'different.' " Introverts, for example, may feel pressured to be more outgoing, Alexander said. After all, she added, 75 percent of the U.S. population is extroverted. According to Myers-Brigg- s records, a large percentage of military personnel almost 18 percent are typed as "ESTJs": extroverted, sensing, thinking and judging. By far, the largest type found in the military, however, is ISTJ: introverted, sensing, thinking and judging, she said. "In Type Talk at Work,' authors Otto Kroeger and Janet Thuesen assert a full 30 percent of U.S. service members fall into this category," she continued. "Averaged out by type, the authors say, 58 percent are introverts, 72 percent are sensors, 90 percent are thinkers, and 80 percent are judgers. are life's natural ISTJs, according to Myers-BriggTo arid build "direct organizasuccessfully organizers. tions, however, they must understand and draw out the best other types have to offer, Alexander said. She used the teacher-studerelationship as an example. students in any "There likely are to be aware of "Teachers said. need she given class," both types and know how to reach them. In addition, children and adults who are sensory and action- s, seeks retrainees for special operations Air to see if they want to joint thi s elite force." The chief said those individuals who Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs RANDOLPH AFB, Texas (AFNS) The Air Force is looking for active-dut- have been in their current career fields for two and a half years will have the opportunity to volunteer for airmen these critical specialties. Volunteers and second-terand prior service members who want must be able to pass the Physical Abilities and Stamina Test to qualify for to join an elite team of special operators Air Force Special Tactics the indoctrination course at Lackland Teams. AFB, Texas. McCord said a high attri-tio- n n rate at indoctrination training Beginning in September, a three-persoteam will visit Air Force bases contributed to both career fields being to seek male volunteers who want to undermanned. cross-trai- n "Our goal is to obtain at least 50 to become combat coninto a year to cross-trai- n retrainees are trol and pararescue. These two of the most challenging career the pararescue and controller career fields in the Air Force, according to fields," McCord said. "These people officials at Air Force Recruiting Ser- are the real Air Force heroes. They are the people featured in the movie vice. 'Air Force One,' the ones doing great "We are forming a Team ControllerPararescuemen things in Bosnia and0 the Pacific, and wreckage in that is very similar to our searching for the team," said CMSgt. Colorado."law restricts women from Current Gregory McCord, superintendent of AFRS operations division. "They will ground combat roles, so only men travel from base to base locating volmay apply. A pararescueman is a s unteer for the combat combat nationally registered emercontrol and pararescue fields," he gency Medical Technician with an knowledge of search, ressaid. "We're also going to accept trauma. A combat combat and selected prior service members from cue all branches of the military and actively controller is a certified air traffic seek those in the security forces field controller trained to operate In remote first- - y m Recruit-the-Com-b- at Recruit-the-Recruit- A-1- er cross-trainee- OR COPY i , nt Air Force by MSgt. Phil Stroud oriented don't deal very well with routine. Instruc- tors need to find creative ways to keep their interest and attention." For improved organizational and personal management, the Myers-Brigg- s Type Indicator provides a useful tool, but "it should never be construed as the final word on who and what we are," Alexander cautioned. "All of us have both capabilities on any of the scales. As we mature, we are more able to tap into our nonpre-ferre- d characteristics and utilize them." In other words, she said, the highly vocal and animated extrovert may withdraw to think through and resolve a tough problem and the person who likes to carefully plan a work schedule may step up in a crisis and "seize the moment" "Extremes are not ideal," Alexander said, "and anyis a tool; thing else is equally acceptable. Myers-Brigg- s it should an for be failure." excuse never "' "To leariurioreiiboufme MyefsBriggTypfelffdicatbr, Alexander recommended these books: "Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Types," by Isabel Briggs Myers and Peter B. Myers; "People Types and Tiger Stripes," by Gordon D. Lawrence; Type Talk" and Type Talk at Work," by Otto Kroeger and Janet M. Thuesen; and "Introduction to Type in Organizations," by Sandra K. Hirsh and Jean M. Kummerow. hostile areas to enhance the rapid introduction of friendly forces. four-cou- a minimum of 60, flutter kicks within two Complete nt Both are precision parachutists who are skilled in SCUBA, amphibious, survival and evasion techniques. Their wartime mission involves insertion behind enemy lines at night to rescue downed airmen or to establish assault zones for friendly aircraft and troops. All combat controller and pararescue applicants are administered the Physical Abilities and Stamina Test upon arrival at the indoctrination school. It must be completed in the timeorder below, within a three-hou- r frame: minutes Swim 25 meters underwater (without surfacing) followed by swimming 25 meters on the surface in less than two minutes. Complete four laps within Administration air traffic control eight minutes. (Five-minut- rest) e Swim 1,500 meters in 37 minutes, 30 seconds or less rest) (30-minu- skills and medical procedures. te rest) Complete a minimum of 65 within two minutes (three-minut- e sit-up- rest) in-dep- th Complete a minimum of 50 pushtwo minutes (three-minut- e within ups Com- bat controllers attend Air Force Air Traffic Control School where they become certified in Federal Aviation procedures and then to Combat Control School where they learn special tactics and techniques for putting it all together. "Upon completion of the training, they will proudly put on their beret scarlet for combat controllers, Complete a minimum of 10 chin-up- s within one minute (three-minut- e rest) where they learn tactics, aircrew te Run three miles in 22 minutes, 30 seconds or less rest) (10-minu- After completion of the indoctrination course, the trainees will enter an arduous training pipeline consisting of U.S. Army Basic Airborne School, U.S. Army Special Forces SCUBA and High Altitude Low Opening Schools, and Air Force water and land survival courses. Pararescue-me- n then enter the pararescue school s maroon for pararescuemen signifying they are members of Air Force Special Tactics," McCord said. Currently, people in the two career fields earn one of the highest bonuses, and in addition to their normal salary earn nearly $500 per month in additional pays. Members of the career fields are ready to travel anywhere in the world to do their job. "It takes a special person who is willing to make sacrifices to become a pararescueman or combat troller," the chief said. con- : -- |