Research for Job Proficiency

Hands-on performance tests and job knowledge tests were developed for several U/AH-1 helicopter maintenance specialties as part of the Marine Corps Job Performance Measurement Project. The purpose of this information memorandum is to disseminate these performance measures to Marine Corps personnel managers, training instructors, and interested researchers who may find them useful. This work comprises two parts: this volume contains the hands-on performance test, and a second volume presents the administrative duties and job knowledge tests. See also CIM 95 020002.

A hands-on performance test and a job-knowledge test were developed for CH-46 helicopter mechanics as part of the Marine Corps Job Performance Measurement Project. The purpose of this information memorandum is to disseminate these performance measures to Marine Corps personnel managers, training instructors, and interested researchers who may find them useful. This work comprises two parts: volume I contains the hands-on performance tests, and this volume presents the administrative duties and job-knowledge tests. See also 95 017901.

This research memorandum covers a variety of issues related to the performance of enlisted infantry unit leaders and the ability of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to predict that performance. Performance strengths and weaknesses were identified for a representative sample of almost 400 unit leaders who were tested with hands-on performance tests and job knowledge tests. The tasks were also analyzed for the perishability of the skills involved if not performed on a regular basis. Finally, these measures of unit leader performance were related to ASVAB. A strong relationship was found between an individual's ASVAB scores and his later performance as an infantry unit leader. Such findings have strong implications for the quality of individuals the Marine Corps should recruit to be able to staff its future leadership positions with qualified personnel.

A surrogate measure is an expedient indicator of job proficiency that is reliable and valid and that yields results similar to a Hands On Performance Test (HOPT). HOPTs are the benchmark by which surrogates should be compared but HOPTs are too expensive, dangerous, or time intensive to use for most purposes. This paper uses Job Performance Measurement (JPM) data to analyze the usefulness of six surrogates (proficiency marks, training grade point average, conduct marks, job knowledge tests, video firing tasks, and supervisor ratings) for infantry tests. The paper addresses how useful each proxy would be for setting infantry enlistment standards and assessing Marine Corps training needs.