View all jobs
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) – Optimizing the Human Weapon System (OHWS) – Tulsa, OK
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) – Optimizing the Human Weapon System (OHWS) – Tulsa, OK
Introduction & Background
The Optimizing Human Weapon System (OHWS) initiative is a specialized human performance and injury‑prevention program designed to support fighter aircrew who experience exceptionally high rates of neck and spine discomfort. Up to 85% of fighter aircrew report spinal discomfort during their careers, and neck pain has been shown to significantly impact pilot performance and quality of life.
The OHWS program provides coordinated, multidisciplinary physical training, pre‑habilitation, and post‑flight recovery services to strengthen spinal musculature, reduce injury rates, improve readiness, and enhance long‑term quality of life for rated pilots. Massage Therapists play a critical role in this effort by delivering musculoskeletal pre‑habilitation, targeted soft‑tissue treatment, and recovery support tailored to the unique demands of fighter aviation.
Position Overview
The Licensed Massage Therapist (MT) provides specialized musculoskeletal pre‑habilitation, injury‑prevention support, and post‑flight recovery treatments for fighter aircrew assigned to the 138th Fighter Wing. The MT works as part of a multidisciplinary team that may include Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, and Strength & Conditioning Specialists.
The MT must be able to demonstrate prescribed exercises, manipulate loads up to 25 kg, and deliver treatment protocols that support spinal health, neck/back injury resistance, and optimized human performance.
Place of Performance
Schedule & Duty Hours
Normal pilot duty hours (MT must be available during these windows):
Recognized Holidays (No Services Performed)
The MT will not perform services on the following federal holidays:
Qualifications
Key Duties & Responsibilities
1. Pre‑Habilitation & Injury Prevention
Summary
This Licensed Massage Therapist role is a mission‑critical human performance position supporting fighter aircrew in a high‑demand tactical aviation environment. The MT enhances pilot readiness, reduces injury rates, and contributes directly to the operational effectiveness of the 138th Fighter Wing.
Introduction & Background
The Optimizing Human Weapon System (OHWS) initiative is a specialized human performance and injury‑prevention program designed to support fighter aircrew who experience exceptionally high rates of neck and spine discomfort. Up to 85% of fighter aircrew report spinal discomfort during their careers, and neck pain has been shown to significantly impact pilot performance and quality of life.
The OHWS program provides coordinated, multidisciplinary physical training, pre‑habilitation, and post‑flight recovery services to strengthen spinal musculature, reduce injury rates, improve readiness, and enhance long‑term quality of life for rated pilots. Massage Therapists play a critical role in this effort by delivering musculoskeletal pre‑habilitation, targeted soft‑tissue treatment, and recovery support tailored to the unique demands of fighter aviation.
Position Overview
The Licensed Massage Therapist (MT) provides specialized musculoskeletal pre‑habilitation, injury‑prevention support, and post‑flight recovery treatments for fighter aircrew assigned to the 138th Fighter Wing. The MT works as part of a multidisciplinary team that may include Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, and Strength & Conditioning Specialists.
The MT must be able to demonstrate prescribed exercises, manipulate loads up to 25 kg, and deliver treatment protocols that support spinal health, neck/back injury resistance, and optimized human performance.
Place of Performance
- 138th Fighter Wing, Tulsa Air National Guard Base (TANGB).
Schedule & Duty Hours
Normal pilot duty hours (MT must be available during these windows):
- Mon–Thu: 6:45 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday (RSD): 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday (RSD): 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Night‑flying weeks: Hours fluctuate but will not exceed a 10‑hour day; may run as late as 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM during summer flying periods .
- MT must provide just‑in‑time post‑flight treatments after each flying period.
- Post‑Flight Flex Time begins 30 minutes after scheduled land time and lasts 60–90 minutes.
- MT must accommodate walk‑ins and immediate triage needs for flying‑related discomfort or injury .
Recognized Holidays (No Services Performed)
The MT will not perform services on the following federal holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Qualifications
- Active, current, unrestricted Massage Therapy license or certification in the U.S. jurisdiction where services are provided (Oklahoma) .
- Ability to demonstrate all prescribed exercises/techniques and lift/manipulate loads up to 25 kg.
- Physically proficient to support musculoskeletal pre‑habilitation for fighter aircrew.
- Ability to provide massage therapy focused on neck and back pain, spinal musculature, and MSK injury resistance.
- Experience working with:
- Elite athletes (Division I, Olympic, professional)
- Military personnel
- Special Operations Forces (SOF) performance programs
- Spine‑specific human performance systems
- Must pass National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) background investigation.
- Must complete:
- AT Level I Antiterrorism Training
- OPSEC Level I Training
- DoD Information Assurance (IA) Training
- Installation access requirements (fingerprinting, identity verification, CAC eligibility)
- Must comply with:
- HIPAA
- DoD privacy regulations
- COMSEC/IT security rules
- Installation fire, traffic, safety, and security regulations
Key Duties & Responsibilities
1. Pre‑Habilitation & Injury Prevention
- Provide massage therapy as part of a musculoskeletal pre‑habilitation program designed to strengthen spinal musculature and reduce neck/back injury risk .
- Conduct non‑invasive biometric and physiological evaluations in coordination with the OHWS team.
- Deliver targeted soft‑tissue treatments to enhance flexibility, mobility, and spinal resilience.
- Provide just‑in‑time post‑flight treatments for aircrew returning from flying exercises.
- Address acute discomfort, stiffness, or flight‑related musculoskeletal issues.
- Support rapid recovery to maintain pilot readiness and reduce downtime.
- Participate in initial pilot assessments and contribute to treatment planning.
- Document findings and provide confidential reporting to the Government POC and Flight Medicine Physician within required timelines.
- Maintain HIPAA‑compliant EMR records for all treatments and sessions.
- Record attendance, missed appointments, progress notes, and treatment outcomes.
- Contribute to monthly preventative exercise and pre‑habilitation reports (FOUO) .
- Collaborate with:
- Flight Medicine Physicians
- Physical Therapists
- Athletic Trainers
- Strength & Conditioning Coaches
- Support coordinated care with local TRICARE‑accepting providers.
- May be required to travel up to 30 days per year CONUS/OCONUS to support flying operations.
- Travel must comply with Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) and be pre‑approved by the KO .
- Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, infection control, and housekeeping of the treatment area.
- Ensure proper use and conservation of government‑provided utilities.
- Must identify as a contractor in all communications and wear contractor identification badges.
- Must comply with all installation access rules, including vehicle search policies and cell‑phone restrictions while driving on base.
- Must participate in periodic performance review meetings with the Government POC and KO.
Summary
This Licensed Massage Therapist role is a mission‑critical human performance position supporting fighter aircrew in a high‑demand tactical aviation environment. The MT enhances pilot readiness, reduces injury rates, and contributes directly to the operational effectiveness of the 138th Fighter Wing.
Reef Systems