The Computer Background of Soldiers in Infantry Courses: FY99-00

Abstract : The research determined the experience soldiers had with computers, their perceptions of their own skill, and their ability to identify commonly used icons. A survey was given to soldiers attending Infantry courses during FY99 and FY00. The report documents the FY00 results and compares them to FY99 results. The soldiers' ranks mirrored the structure of an Infantry rifle platoon. Lieutenants, most being recent college graduates, had the greatest computer expertise and were the most homogeneous on the indicators of computer skill in the survey. For the remaining soldiers, the picture was more diverse for both noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted members. A substantial portion of these groups had computer skills, but many had very limited skills. Based on these results, training on basic computer skills may be necessary prior to advanced training on digital systems used by rifle platoons. Although computer skill level for these soldier populations remained stable from FY99 to FY00, computer ownership increased. Because many soldiers indicated learning computer skills on their own, the increased percentage of soldiers owning computers may eventually translate to higher skill levels. The research will continue in FY01 to determine changes in computer expertise in the groups studied.