The Perceived Relationship Among Personnel Readiness, Job Performance and Work Demands A Case for Physical Ability Testing

• Main Author: Munoz, Jr., Donaciano
• Other Authors: Schmidt, John K.
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/17425

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === The military screening process entails meeting general physical and cognitive standards and then primarily matching candidates with a specialization based on cognitive test scores. Little consideration is given to the physical abilities required to perform tasks in that specialization. An online survey was used to explore the perceived relationship among personnel readiness, job performance and work demands for Boatswains Mates (BM) and Damage Controlmen (DC). This study explored four research questions to evaluate physical ability testing. Descriptive statistics showed that the participants had a wide range of experience levels. The results from the logistic model indicated no factors were significant of evaluation trait averages. The chi-square tests showed a difference in level of physical demands in three different modes of operations for both BMs and DCs. Both groups support the use of a physical ability testing in the selection process for job placement. Efforts to develop a physical ability test for use in the selection process, a physical remediation program for those who do not meet the standards, as well as a maintenance program to verify personnel still meet physical abilities are recommendations that should be considered for future research.