Quality of Marines, Pre-Enlistment Screening Based on Predicted Performance

This analysis examines the mathematical relations between the performance of first-term Marines and their test scores and selected personal characteristics. The objective is to predict performance when only certain test scores and personal characteristics are known (i.e., at time of application for enlistment). A step-wise linear multiple regression process is used to identify the variables which best predict performance. Measures of performance include early attrition, desertion, early promotion, and rank achieved. A procedure for expressing the results in terms of the (new) ASVAB preenlistment test is provided, and a method for application of these results to Marine Corps enlistment screening is presented.