Accession Number:

AD0478558

Title:

BASIC MILITARY INFORMATION AND COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS.

Descriptive Note:

Staff memo.,

Corporate Author:

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIV ALEXANDRIA VA HUMAN RESOURCES RESEARCH OFFICE

Personal Author(s):

• Greer, George D., Jr.
• Myers, Martha

Report Date:

1955-07-04

Pagination or Media Count:

30.0

Abstract:

This study assesses the over-all military information possessed by frontline combat soldiers, and compares the differences in amount and types retained by fighters and non-fighters of equal intelligence. Limited comparisons with equally intelligent basic trainees are also made. The analysis showed that the fighters were superior to equally intelligent non-fighters on the total test, and specifically, in their answers to groups of questions concerning the operation, maintenance, and mechanics of weapons preparation for and behavior during defense and behavior during imminent or actual contact with the enemy. There were no differences between fighters and non-fighters in their responses to questions concerning general subjects information. Neither the fighters nor non-fighters possessed accurate relevant information. For this combined group the highest level of information demonstrated was in the Tactics Area, next highest was in the Weapons Area, and lowest was in the General Subjects Area. The Military Information Test questions answered by the combat soldiers were also answered recently by a group of equally intelligent trainees who had just completed their training. Although the responses of the combat soldiers and the new soldiers were strikingly similar, there were interesting differences. Author

Descriptors:

• *INTELLIGENCE TESTS
• *WARFARE
• *MILITARY PERSONNEL
• STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
• MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
• MILITARY TRAINING
• MILITARY TACTICS
• MOTIVATION

Subject Categories:

• Humanities and History
• Psychology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE