An assessment of the educational and training needs of a Marine Naval Academy graduate

• Main Author: Styskal, Michael S.
• Other Authors: Crawford, Alice
• Published: Monterey California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/4018

The purpose of this research was to identify the educational and training needs for a Second Lieutenant from the Naval Academy entering the Marine Corps. This research is a needs assessment that identifies knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes (KSAAs) that Naval Academy graduates need to be successful at The Basic School in Quantico Virginia. The research reviewed the current Naval Academy leadership curriculum, Marine Corps accession programs, training requirements and Marine-specific training programs at the Academy. Secondly, the research reviewed past studies of USNA graduates' performance in the Marine Corps to determine if there were performance deficiencies to be addressed. Next, the research reviewed literature on needs assessments, education and training, KSAAs and a study on leadership development in the Marine Corps. This review was performed as background information as it pertained to the NL404 course. The methodology of this research was based on a needs assessment model that reviewed an existing course to determine if updates were needed. Surveys, interviews and document analysis were used to gather data to determine the needs of the Second Lieutenant. A total of 153 Class of 2005 Marine graduates and members of the TBS staff were surveyed and interviewed for the data collection. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a comparison of means. Additionally, a content review of the interviews and document was used to ascertain the needs of the Second Lieutenant. Lastly, the data was summarized and recommendations were given concerning the content of the NL404 course.