Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is required of all recruits seeking to join the U.S. Army. A particular combination of ASVAB subscores is used to determine whether a recruit is qualified to attend individual Military Occupational Specialties. This study was designed to investigate the association between these required criteria and academic performance during Health Care Specialist (HCS, ‘Combat Medic’) training. Results reveal an association between each subcomponent and both pass/fail status and grade point average (p < .001), however strong scientific skill along with a high verbal composite score best explained academic success. Based on these results, recommendations include a revision of ASVAB-based entry criteria for HCS training, and the issuant discussion addresses how the proposed standards should result in stronger relationships with training success.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

DeVilbiss

C. A.

Rice

V. B.

(2007). Survey results for the development of the academic class composite tool for the academic instructors and supervisors. Army Research Laboratory, Human Research & Engineering Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. (ARL-MR-0677, ADA473179).

DuBois

P. H.

(1970). A history of psychological testing. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Rice

V. J.

Marra

Butler

(2007). Neuro- cognitive assessment, symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and soldier performance during 68W advanced individual training. Army Research Laboratory, Human Research & Engineering Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. (ARL-TR-4292, ADA473172).

Riebs

W.K.

Reeves

(2004). ASVAB Exam Cram. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Sellman

W. S.

(2004) Predicting readiness for military service: How enlistment standards are established. Retrieved July 9, 2007 from http://www.nagb.org/release/sellman.doc.

Welsh

J. R.

Kucinkas

S. K.

Curran

L. T.

(1990). Armed services vocational battery (ASVAB): Integrative review of validity studies. Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, Brooks Air Force Base, TX (AD-A225 074).

Williams

E. S.

Greenston

P. M.

(2006). Pilot study to examine training eligibility standards (ARI SR 2006-06). Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Alexandria, VA. (ADA455120).

The Relationship between U.S. Military Aptitude Testing and Academic Performance during Army Combat Medic Training

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References