Self-Learning Among Army Noncommissioned Officers: Experiences, Attitudes, and Preferred Strategies
Abstract
U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) often need to complete tasks they were not formally trained to do, requiring them to learn on their own. This research focused on describing and measuring the preferred self-learning attitudes and self-learning strategies of successful Army NCOs. Focus groups were used to collect data on successful NCOs' (N = 123) experiences of self-learning. The interview data were analyzed to develop a thematic framework that described these experiences. Based on this framework, the NCO Self-Learning Strategies Questionnaire was developed and then administered across several Army NCO academies to assess NCOs' (N = 1,345) preferences for particular self-learning attitudes and strategies. Findings indicated that these NCOs had consistent preferences for certain self-learning strategies, although variables such as career intentions, career management field, years in service, were associated with some differences in self-learning preferences between groups. Another key finding was that Senior NCOs appeared to be more selective about preferred self-learning strategies than were junior NCOs. This research contributed to a better scientific understanding of the first-person experience of self-learning, particularly among Army NCOs. The research effort was sponsored by the Institute for Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development and was used to inform their ongoing training and development initiatives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA565313
Entities
People
- Gary Rauchfuss
- Michelle Wisecarver
- Thomas R. Graves
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences