Retention of Basic Combat Skills by Active Duty Personnel
Abstract
This study sought to obtain data on how well, at the end of each stage of training, the typical infantryman knows the essential combat skills, and on how much of each skill he retains at various intervals after basic combat training. A performance test, composed of subtests in 17 combat skills, was given to approximately 4500 active duty personnel; aptitude area scores were also collected on each man. Among the findings were: (1) In general, level of skill increased with length of service despite the fact that the average aptitude level of the men tested was lower at each successive training stage; (2) Failure of the trainees at every training level to pass more than 70% of the basic combat skills indicates the gap between goals specified by Army Training Program and Infantry experts and average trainee performance; and (3) Retention level was high for all subjects except: Range Estimation, Tactics, Signal Communications, Mine Warfare, Rocket Launcher, ML Rifle Skills, and First Aid. The fact that some combat skills are being learned more effectively at one post and some at another suggests that wider adoption of the most effective techniques might result in greater over-all achievement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1957
- Accession Number
- ADA034127
Entities
People
- Eugene Winograd
- Robert A. Baker
Organizations
- Human Resources Research Organization