Improving the Fairness of Coast Guard Recruitment and Selection with the ASVAB and AFCT: A Dynamic Measurement Modeling Paradigm
Abstract
A large-scale re-analysis of scores from the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery/Armed Forces Classification Test (ASVAB/AFCT), the primary tools for military recruit accession and training qualification for occupational classification, was conducted using training data from the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The analysis evaluated whether these instruments could be used differently to increase the aperture for different candidate pools, including Underrepresented Minorities (URMs), for qualification into the Coast Guard, as well as qualification for a specific rate qualification. The idea to measure a recruit s learning capacity, by calculating the growth trajectories from in-between test scores, provides the military with more relevant information regarding trainability, which is a new and necessary focus for todays military due to advanced technical training requirements. The research found 10 percent of Coast Guard recruits re-take the ASVAB/AFCT in order to elevate composite scores, probably with the hopes of qualifying for their occupation of choice. Another 20 percent of Coast Guard recruits (who are typically within 5 points of qualifying) requested a waiver instead.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1168899
Entities
People
- Daniel Mcneish
- Denis Dumas
- Donna Duelberg
- Yixiao Dong