Tier One Performance Screen (TOPS) Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT and E): An Examination of Attrition Over Time
Abstract
This research was carried out as part of the Tier One Performance Screen (TOPS) initial operational test and evaluation (IOT and E) conducted by the U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI). It focuses on examining Soldier attrition as it occurs over time and provides a targeted evaluation of the Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS) as it relates to attrition outcomes. In addition to examining overall attrition, three broad categories of attrition were examined: Performance-, Misconduct-, and Medical/Physical-related attrition. Results revealed attrition to occur most frequently within the first 6 to 12 months of Soldiers tenure in the Army, with Performance- and Medical/Physical-related attrition demonstrating the highest rates within the first 12 months. Rates of Misconduct-related were low initially but increased steadily until approximately 18 months. Results also showed differences between types of attrition with respect to the TAPAS scale relationships. The Physical Conditioning TAPAS scale had a strong negative association with Performance- and Medical/Physical-related attrition as well as overall attrition. Physical Conditioning was often a stronger predictor of these attrition types than the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT). Of all the TAPAS scales, Non-Delinquency generally had the strongest association with Misconduct-related attrition. In general, the AFQT exhibited a consistently strong, negative relationship with overall attrition and all three types.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 06, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1064442
Entities
People
- Cristina D. Kirkendall
- Justin Purl
- Matthew C. Reeder
- Michael G. Hughes
Organizations
- Human Resources Research Organization