The Mobilization of Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Infantrymen During Operation DESERT STORM: Training Performance Analysis
Abstract
As part of Operation DESERT STORM, the U.S. Army ordered some of its Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) soldiers to report for active duty in January 1991. One IRR training company of 241 light infantrymen was observed throughout its in-processing, basic skills refresher training, and out-processing. This report offers a detailed analysis of their training performance. Biographical and attitudinal information about these infantrymen was obtained from a 12-page IRR survey and from a systematic sample of individual military personnel records. Training performance scores were obtained from instructors at each training site. Most IRR infantrymen performed well during refresher training, demonstrating little apparent decay in their basic skills. Soldiers with recent Active Component experience performed better and had lower perceived needs for additional training. Soldiers more recently or more frequently trained on particular tasks performed those tasks better during mobilization. Soldiers with higher general aptitude performed slightly better and had stronger preferences for a combat assignment. Soldiers with Combat Training Center experience had lower perceived training needs and higher perceived combat readiness. Soldiers awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge felt more read for combat. Soldiers with actual combat experience had lower perceived training needs, much lower preferences for a combat assignment, and less uncertainty in their combat attitudes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA254322
Entities
People
- Kenneth L. Evans
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences