Bio
Lieutenant Commander Ken “Smoothie” King, MSC, USN, is an Instructor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership and Research Director of the Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center (WERC) at the U.S. Air Force Academy. In this position, he teaches a wide range of courses in psychology and human factors engineering and directs a high-powered research team that focuses on human-machine teaming, social robotics, readiness, and leadership development. In previous roles for the United States Navy, he has conducted research in aviation personnel selection, and performance measurement including research involving individual high performance within high-reliability organizations. These programs have resulted in numerous publications, technology transitions, and research awards. LCDR King received his Masters Degree in Human Factors from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and is the only military officer in history to wear both Navy Aerospace Experimental Psychology and Air Force pilot wings.
Education
Undergraduate at University of Illinois, Architecture (Minor in MechE)
MS in Human Factors, Embry Riddle Worldwide
MS Cert in Human Systems Integration, Naval Postgraduate School
Professional Experience
2017 – Present: U.S. Navy Aerospace Experimental Psychologist (AEP) #158
2005 – 2017: U.S Air Force Instructor Pilot in the T-6A & MC-130P “Combat Shadow”
Honors & Awards
Meritorious Service Medal (twice awarded)
Air Force Air Medal (twice awarded)
Navy Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal (twice awarded)
Research and Scholarly Interests
Aviation safety, Flight control design & usability, Aviation training, Personnel selection
Publications
Associate Research Investigator, NRL Protocol DoD-N40039, “Comparing Direction & Orientation Tasks for Aviation Selection”
Research Monitor, NAMRU-D Protocol MrVIPP, “Monocular Reduced Vision in Pilot Performance
Associate Research Investigator, NRL Protocol DoD-N40070, “Attention Control Implementation and Operational Evaluation”
Final Report Regarding 2016 & 2018 USMC Aviation Incidents, Consolidated Disposition Authority Review Board, 18 June 2020. Archived at https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/61/ACMC%20Letter%20and%20CDA%20Fin al%20Report%20Redacted%20For%20Release.pdf?ver=2020-07-02-150113-527
Associate Research Investigator, NMOTC Protocol 2016.0016, “Early Recognition of Aviator Hypoxia via EEG Detection”
Co-author, 2021 LEAPS Poster, “Air Vehicle Operator Selection: Ensuring a High Reliability Organization Through Applied Aeromedical Research”, 08 Feb 2021
Co-author, 2020 CNATRA Technical Report, “Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) Minimum Score Requirements,” 15 Jun 2020
Co-author, Journal of Military Psychology submission MIL-2017-2089, “Limitations of Current Spatial Ability Testing for Military Aviators”, 1 Oct 2020