The Retention of Tank Crewman Skills

Abstract : This research was conducted to study the retention of armor crewmen skills from the time of training through the early months of job assignment. Performance tests of job tasks were administered to soldiers in two Armor MOS at the end of formal training and again after four to eight months on the job. Proficiency overall remained unchanged from school to the field, but when examined by task category it was found to decline for tasks common to all crewmen and to increase for tasks specific to a crew position. No systematic changes in proficiency occurred as a function of time since training or relevance of job assignment. Results were discussed in terms of task characteristics and procedural factors.