Retention of Basic Soldiering Skills
Abstract
Field Artillery Training Center (FATC) evaluators tested soldier's performance on twenty basic common tasks. The sample included who were completing entry-level training and soldiers who has completed this entry training during the previous 12 months. Training Center evaluators rated task performance 'GO' or NO GO' for each task step and for the task as a whole. Tasks varied in the rate at which the percent 'GO' declined since training. Three factors accounted for most of the differences in retention: (1) number of task steps, (2) order of original training, and (3) the presence or absence of subtasks. Soldiers can perform most task steps. The steps that are forgotten tend to be those that are not suggested by the previous sequence of steps or by the equipment. Commanders can use the research results to determine the relationship between soldier proficiency and time since training. Commanders can schedule training to maintain desired levels of proficiency in critical skills. The eventual research goal is to develop guidelines for determining which tasks require frequent training and which tasks can be maintained at high proficiency for long periods without practice. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA075412
Entities
People
- J. D. Dressel
- Joyce L. Shields
- Stephen L. Goldberg
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences