Date
5-20-2026
Department
School of Health Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD)
Chair
Marybeth Mitcham
Keywords
sleep habits, missile operations officers, carcinogens, effects of poor sleep, shift work, cancer, environmental exposures, mental health, missileers
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health
Recommended Citation
Ramie, Dawnie Rae, "Perceptions of the Effects of Launch Control Center Environmental Exposures and Alert Schedules Among Missile Operations Officers: A Mixed Methods Phenomenological Study" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8516.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8516
Abstract
This mixed methods hermeneutic phenomenological study focused on an investigation of the perceptions of missile operations alert duty and the effects on health and sleep hygiene among Air Force missile operations officers. Questionnaires, interviews, and surveys were all used to gather data on subjects’ experiences and perspectives, including methods to mitigate the effects of poor sleep. Driving questions of research included how missile alert schedules affect sleep habits, as well as how missileers perceived alert duties may impact their health. Data was collected through a web-based Qualtrics Likert questionnaire (N=139), open-ended interviews with purposively selected subjects (N=17), and web-based Qualtrics open-ended surveys (N=17). Data was analyzed through a visual representation of quantitative data using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of qualitative data within a hermeneutic phenomenological study framework. Through this framework, ten emergent themes were created: (a) environmental exposures in LCCs, (b) consequences of sleep disruption, (c) reproductive health concerns, (d) inadequate medical support and long-term health concerns, (e) environmental and cultural factors influencing sleep, (f) pervasive stress and anxiety, (g) culture of silence and barriers to support, (h) emerging awareness and calls for change, (i) distrust of institutional support & lack of transparency, and (j) shared burden and bonds. The findings offer insights into morale, climate, and perceptions of the missileer community. Future research efforts targeting education programs on potential health risks, as well as dedicated sleep studies for missileers would significantly benefit the missile community.
