Assessment Center Predictions of Success, Training Attrition and Development of Army Leaders

摘要

The U.S. Army Infantry School (USAIS) Assessment Center (ACTR) at Fort Benning, Georgia, tested over 400 company grade officers and NCOs. These Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants were assessed to determine the feasibility of using assessment center technology for leadership development and leadership prediction. In addition, enlisted men designated to attent the Branch Immaterial Officer Candidate Course were assessed to determine the feasibility of using an assessment center as a selection device. The criteria used to validate the ACTR consisted of (1) field ratings of leadership obtained 6- and 18-months following graduation, (2) Officer Evaluation Report (OER) ratings and (3) USAIS Leaderships Course performance. The data from the USAIS ACTR were not successful in predicting the criterion of field leadership. The OERs showed a significant correlation with the field leadership ratings and as would be expected showed a similar lack of relationship to the ACTR data. Only the leadership course grades were fairly well predicted by the ACTR data and this was not one of the original objectives. Acceptance of the ACTR testing and especially the feedback was high. Assessees invariably reported that the ACTR had accurately identified leadership strengths and weaknesses.