2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

ENCAPS – Using Non-Cognitive Measures for Navy Selection and
Classification
William L. Farmer, Ph. D.
Ronald M. Bearden, M.S.
Navy Personnel Research, Studies, & Technology Department (PERS-1)
Navy Personnel Command
Millington, TN 38055-1300
Walter C. Borman, Ph.D.
Jerry W. Hedge, Ph.D.
Janis S. Houston, M.A.
Kerri L. Ferstl, Ph.D.
Robert J. Schneider, Ph.D.
Personnel Decisions Research Institute
Minneapolis, MN 55414
As we enter the 21 st century, the military is in the middle of a major transition.
Due to changes in mission and technology, the organizational and occupational
characteristics that have come to define the present day military are being overhauled.
As a result of this process it is imperative to develop a full understanding of the role that
enlisted personnel play in the “new military.” This role includes interface with systems,
equipment, and personnel that may appear quite a bit different than in the past. What
individual requirements will these players need to accomplish their mission? How will
this translate to personal readiness? How will performance be defined and measured?
In addition to individual requirements for successful performance, a number of
other factors play important roles in the success of selection and classification in the
military. The military uses results from large-scale aptitude testing as its primary basis
for making selections into the service. Following this initial selection, testing results are
further utilized in making classification decisions. The mechanism for making a
personnel classification is a somewhat complicated process that involves using a
combination of individual ability, obtained from the aforementioned testing program, the
needs of the Navy (regarding jobs that need to be filled and gender and minority quota
requirements), and individual interest. Historically, interest has received the least amount
of weight.
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45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003