The Characterization and Prediction of Soldier Performance During Routine Service and in Combat

Abstract

This study aimed to explore: (1) the relationship between soldier performance during routine service and performance in combat; (2) the differential efficiency of selection scores in predicting routine vs. combat performance; and (3) the construct structure portraying combat soldier performance. Four groups of Isaeli Defence Force soldier were subjects in the study; they were evaluated by ratings obtained by their direct commander, as well as hard data measures. Ratings of peacetime and combat performance showed significant moderate correlations. The ratings represent a meaningful construct structure and are efficient in predicting combat performance. Factor analysis yielded two factors each representing combat soldier performance in battle and performance during routine service, and three factors representing non-combat soldier performance. The predictive and constructive validity they show make the questionnaires employed in this study both efficient predictors and useful evaluation procedures of soldier performance in combat. These results have direct implications to unit command and unit management during routine service and to altitudes which commanders would strive to impart in their soldiers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA399051

Entities

People

  • Shlomo H. Dover

Organizations

  • U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Applied Psychology
  • Army Personnel
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Classification
  • Combat Operations
  • Databases
  • Factor Analysis
  • Information Science
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Military Training
  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Statistics
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.
  • Systems Analysis and Design