COLUMBIA, Maryland — A-G Associates, Inc., in collaboration with 5by5 Performance Therapy, is advancing research to better understand and identify the complex health challenges experienced by members of the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) community through the development of the Operator Syndrome Symptom Scale–Self Report (OSSS-SR).
"For years, we've seen operators whose symptoms don't fit neatly into a single diagnosis—they're experiencing interconnected physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that require a more comprehensive approach to care," said Dr. Jennifer Byrne, Founder and CEO of 5by5 Performance Therapy. "The Operator Syndrome Symptom Scale–Self Report is an important step toward giving researchers and clinicians a standardized way to better understand those experiences. Our hope is that this work strengthens the evidence base and ultimately leads to more effective, multidisciplinary care for those who have spent their careers serving in the nation's most demanding military roles."
Special Operations personnel face years of sustained operational demands, including repeated deployments, chronic stress, sleep disruption, blast exposure, and musculoskeletal injury. While awareness of the long-term effects of these experiences continues to grow, the clinical community currently lacks a standardized, validated instrument to consistently assess the broad range of symptoms experienced by this population.
To meet this need, our organizations are collaborating on the development and validation of the Operator Syndrome Symptom Scale–Self Report (OSSS-SR), a comprehensive self-report instrument designed to measure symptom presence and frequency across multiple health domains associated with Operator Syndrome. The OSSS-SR is intended to support future research, improve symptom identification, and inform multidisciplinary care for Special Operations personnel and Veterans.
The OSSS-SR is currently undergoing systematic development and psychometric validation to establish its reliability and ensure the strictest standards of scientific rigor. By creating a standardized framework for measuring Operator Syndrome, the project seeks to support future clinical research and contribute to a more evidence-informed approach to caring for those who have served in the nation's most demanding military roles.
For more information, please contact Dr. Jennifer Byrne at jennifer.byrne@5by5performancetherapy.com.
About A-G Associates:
A-G Associates is an award-winning, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and SBA 8(a) federal consulting firm delivering high-impact strategy, stakeholder engagement, research, and evaluation solutions that help leaders translate policy into practice and priorities into measurable results. Founded in 2008 by Chris Gonzalez, a Marine Corps Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Dr. Peg Anthony, a nationally recognized expert in organizational and management consulting, A-G was built on a simple principle: bring the right people together to solve complex human problems with integrity and purpose. More than 60% of our team are Veterans, military spouses, and family members—people who bring lived experience and personal commitment to the work. Our integrated team of subject matter experts, researchers, clinicians, data scientists, and change leaders deliver data-driven insights and provide expert guidance to strengthen public health and safety systems, with a focus on advancing military and Veteran wellbeing. We partner with federal agencies, nonprofits, and mission-aligned organizations to help clients navigate meaningful process, culture, and strategic transformation for measurable, lasting impact. Recognized as a two-time Inc. 5000 honoree as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America and named to Inc.'s Vet100 list of the nation's fastest-growing Veteran-owned businesses, A-G continues to grow as a result of our disciplined execution and deep mission alignment that our clients trust.
About 5by5 Performance Therapy™:
5by5 Performance Therapy delivers operator-centric, evidence-based care designed to strengthen the mental, physical and cognitive health of Special Operators, tactical military and civilian operatives, and their spouses. Founded by Air Force Veteran and occupational therapist Dr. Jennifer Byrne, 5by5 brings together a multidisciplinary team of clinicians experienced in serving military operators and their families. We understand how cumulative brain injuries, high allostatic load, trauma, disrupted sleep, chronic stress, and other operational exposures can affect the individual, the family, and long-term performance. Through in-person, virtual and hybrid programs, 5by5 provides personalized support that meets clients where they are. 5by5 is also helping advance the Operator Syndrome Symptom Scale–Self Report (OSSS-SR), an assessment being validated to better understand and prioritize the physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms experienced by current and former Special Operators. This work is intended to strengthen assessment strategies and inform more responsive, solution-focused care for operators and their families. Our multidisciplinary approach may include mental health care, occupational therapy, nutrition, performance coaching and education focused on sustainable habits, resilience, recovery, and everyday function. We also contribute to blast-injury and operator-centric research and academia to expand understanding of the long-term health needs of the Special Operations community. We care deeply about the people behind the mission. Our goal is to help operators and families protect their health, improve performance, and build a stronger foundation for life during and after service.