Prediction of Effective Officer Performance.

Abstract : The present research is an attempt to develop tests which not only will be predictive of officer performance in general, but which also will be predictive of performance in specific assignment areas. These tests will permit identification of potential officers with various abilities that relate to performance in military assignments. The research represents an attempt to evaluate the hypothesis that the generalist concept must now be modified to recognize unique officer abilities and thus achieve maximum utilization of officer talent. The research being conducted in the area of predicting officer performance is intended to answer the question: Is it possible to achieve an early identfication of individuals who possess certain specific abilities which are effective in predicting performance in specific officer job areas? Research with such an objective is described as concerned with DIFFERENTIAL abilities or performance. The search is for abilities which relate to success in one job area but do not relate to success in a different job area. If carried to an extreme, one could hypothesize a separate configuration of abilities for each unique military assignment. Such an extreme approach is neither desirable nor feasible at the present time.