Lieutenant Colonel ROBERT A. BRIGGS
Lt. Col. Robert A. Briggs is a human performance senior research scientist/physical therapist, currently serving as STRONG Lab military lead, Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. His responsibilities include directing a 22-person multi-disciplinary team of research scientists to include: strength and conditioning experts, athletic trainers, biomechanical engineers, data analysts, kinesiologists, research fellows, and others. He also collaborates with investigators in neighboring laboratories (e.g. cognitive, chemistry, genomics, etc.) in the Air and Space Biosciences Division.
Briggs manages a broad portfolio of research efforts in the exercise science and human performance arena. Recent efforts include multiple studies evaluating physical and cognitive profiling of Airmen; establishing baseline and mechanisms to better leverage movement assessments and force plate evaluations among operational Airmen; and investigating multiple wearables and devices used to track body composition, movement analysis, and overall physiological status of Airmen in comparison to “Gold Standard” of such devices. In addition, Briggs’ team is investigating utility of various recovery modalities, Space Force fitness assessment initiatives, motion capture analyses, and coordinating laboratory and field testing of various products purported to enhance performance among tactical personnel.
Briggs commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2001. Upon completion of a physical therapy degree through the Army-Baylor physical therapy program, he served for four years as officer in charge of the troop medical clinic at Fort Leonard in Wood, Missouri and staff physical therapist leading post-op services at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. He departed active-duty service in 2006 and served on inactive ready reserve status with the U.S. Army until 2010.
Briggs commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 2010 and has served in clinical, academic, and research settings. Prior to his current position, Briggs completed Ph.D. studies in rehab sciences at University of Utah, served as intern director and element leader at Travis AFB, Calif, served as chief of physical therapy services and set-up/launched a clinic in southeast Asia (Kuwait). He also served as advanced physical therapy education flight commander and sole U.S. Air Force faculty advisor/student mentor in the Army-Baylor Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at the Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science Degree (2), Biology/Psychology, Idaho State University
2003 Master of Science degree, Physical Therapy, U.S. Army-Baylor Physical Therapy
2007 Doctor of Physical Therapy, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. in residence
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2015 Ph.D. in Exercise Science, University of Utah, Utah
ASSIGNMENTS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (x2)
Air and Space Commendation Medal (x2)
Army Commendation Medal (x2)
Army Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (x2)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Svc Medal (x2)
Air and Space Expeditionary Service (x2)
Air and Space Longevity Service
Air and Space Training Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Major June 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Dec 1, 2021
(Current as of July 2023)
Briggs manages a broad portfolio of research efforts in the exercise science and human performance arena. Recent efforts include multiple studies evaluating physical and cognitive profiling of Airmen; establishing baseline and mechanisms to better leverage movement assessments and force plate evaluations among operational Airmen; and investigating multiple wearables and devices used to track body composition, movement analysis, and overall physiological status of Airmen in comparison to “Gold Standard” of such devices. In addition, Briggs’ team is investigating utility of various recovery modalities, Space Force fitness assessment initiatives, motion capture analyses, and coordinating laboratory and field testing of various products purported to enhance performance among tactical personnel.
Briggs commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2001. Upon completion of a physical therapy degree through the Army-Baylor physical therapy program, he served for four years as officer in charge of the troop medical clinic at Fort Leonard in Wood, Missouri and staff physical therapist leading post-op services at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. He departed active-duty service in 2006 and served on inactive ready reserve status with the U.S. Army until 2010.
Briggs commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 2010 and has served in clinical, academic, and research settings. Prior to his current position, Briggs completed Ph.D. studies in rehab sciences at University of Utah, served as intern director and element leader at Travis AFB, Calif, served as chief of physical therapy services and set-up/launched a clinic in southeast Asia (Kuwait). He also served as advanced physical therapy education flight commander and sole U.S. Air Force faculty advisor/student mentor in the Army-Baylor Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at the Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science Degree (2), Biology/Psychology, Idaho State University
2003 Master of Science degree, Physical Therapy, U.S. Army-Baylor Physical Therapy
2007 Doctor of Physical Therapy, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. in residence
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2015 Ph.D. in Exercise Science, University of Utah, Utah
ASSIGNMENTS
- May 2003 – May 2006, Officer in Charge, Troop Medical Clinic, Fort Leonard in Wood, Missouri, Mo.
- May 2006 - May 2007, Staff Physical Therapist/Post-Op, General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, Fort Leonard in Wood, Miss.
- May 2010 - July 2012, Element Chief/Physical Therapy Clinic Chief, Beale AFB, Calif.
- Aug 2012 - Aug 2015, Air Force Institute of Technology, Ph.D. student, University of Utah, Utah
- Sep 2015 - Sep 2017, Element Leader/Intern Director, 60th Medical Operations Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
- Feb 2016 - Aug 2016, Chief of Physical Therapy Services, 386th Expeditionary Medical Group, Ali Al Salem, Kuwait
- Sep 2017 - Mar 2021, Instructor/Advanced Education Flight Commander, Army-Baylor Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
- Mar 2021 - Current, Senior Researcher Physical Therapist, Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (x2)
Air and Space Commendation Medal (x2)
Army Commendation Medal (x2)
Army Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (x2)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Svc Medal (x2)
Air and Space Expeditionary Service (x2)
Air and Space Longevity Service
Air and Space Training Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Major June 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Dec 1, 2021
(Current as of July 2023)
