Accession Number:

ADA399051

Title:

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

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Oct 1989-Sep 1990

Corporate Author:

ARMY RESEARCH INST FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ALEXANDRIA VA

Personal Author(s):

• Dover, Shlomo H.

Report Date:

2002-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

118.0

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.

Descriptors:

• *PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
• COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS
• PEACETIME
• PREDICTIONS
• ARMY PERSONNEL
• COMBAT READINESS
• RATINGS
• SELECTION
• QUESTIONNAIRES
• FACTOR ANALYSIS
• REACTION(PSYCHOLOGY)

Subject Categories:

• Psychology
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE