2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

510
ANTICIPATED FUTURE CONDITIONS
At the initiation of the Select21 research effort (Sager et al., 2003), we reviewed the
anticipated conditions of the future that had been derived for NCO21. The NCO21 conditions
represented themes concerning: self-direction, information processing, computer familiarity,
increased technical skills, increased leadership skills, understanding systems, managing multiple
functions, stamina, and adaptability. It was apparent that the future conditions for NCOs would
need to be adapted because projections and realities had changed since the NCOs were
investigated. Further, the requirements for NCOs are inherently broader than those for first-tour
Soldiers. Once again, the current writings and projections were reviewed and integrated with
those things learned from the NCO investigation to generate possible future conditions. We then
interviewed SMEs who reviewed and revised the list of anticipated Army-wide conditions for
first-tour Soldiers (see Table 1).
Table 1. Anticipated Army-wide Conditions for First-tour Soldiers
Learning Environment Greater requirement for continuous learning and the
need to independently maintain/increase proficiency
on assigned tasks
Disciplined Initiative Less reliance on supervisors and/or peers to performed
assigned tasks within their realm of defined
responsibilities
Communication Method and Frequency Greater need to rely on digitized communications,
understanding common operational picture, and
increased situational awareness
Individual Pace and Intensity Greater need for mental and physiological stamina,
understanding of personal status, and adaptability
Self-Management Greater emphasis on ensuring Soldiers balance and
manage their personal matters and well-being
Survivability Improved protective systems, transportation,
communications, and medical care will result in
improvement in personal safety
Expectation of change was the impetus for Select21, and the themes in Table 1
summarize the types of changes creating future job demands on first-tour Soldiers and the KSAs
important to successful performance of the demands. Based on inspection, they include
requirements to cope successfully with change (Learning Environment and Individual Pace and
Intensity). The themes also point to at least two system changes (Communication Method and
Frequency; Survivability). The theme of “survivability” highlights a condition of work already
existing in the Army but perhaps having new implications. Finally, certain themes (Learning
Environment, Disciplined Initiative, Individual Pace and Intensity, and Self-Management)
spotlight personal attributes that include “learning orientation,” “independence,” “disciplined
self-reliance,” and a combination of physical and psychological states enabling behavioral
“adaptation.” Importantly, the condition of Self-Management recognizes needs for balancing
work with personal matters, to include well-being. A potential conflict in these future conditions
45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003