The Relationship Between Classroom Instruction and Practical Performance in Military Tactics

摘要

The science of tactics is taught at the United States Military Academy both by classroom, academic instruction and by practical, field exercises. The first and second year academic grades in tactics of 98 randomly selected cadets were compared with their performance in a variety of practical exercises at Camp Buckner. The Buckner encampment took place in the summer months between the first and second academic years and provided scores in the following areas: Armor, Artillery, Engineer, Infantry, Signal, Obstacle Course, and Written Test. The intercorrelations among the Buckner Test Scores were low and revealed no important patterns of relationship. Apparently different skills and abilities are required for the different events. The correlations between tactics grades and Combined Total Buckner Score were positive and statistically significant. The Correlation between tactics grades in the first and second years was statistically significant and indicated a substantial degree of association.