Army Employment Research Articles

Does Recruit Performance In Generic Fitness Assessments Predict Performance In Military-related Tasks?

PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of existing recruit physical barrier tests in predicting performance of occupationally-relevant tasks. METHODS: All recruits participating in the study were undertaking the Australian Army 12-week basic training course. A total of 186 male recruits were included in the study (age 21.6 ± 4.2 y, height 178.6 ± 6.8 cm, mass 77.7 ± 11.9 kg). Physical performance was assessed at weeks 1 and 11. At each time point participants were subjected to a battery of tests that comprised: generic fitness tests; maximal push-ups (2 min) and multi-stage shuttle test (MSST) and military-related tests; 1repetition-maximum box lift and place and 3.2-km loaded run (22 kg). The ‘generic fitness tests’ form part of the Australian Army recruit physical barrier tests. All data is reported as mean ± SD and significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Maximal push-up performance during week 1 of basic military training (BMT) was not correlated with box lift and place performance at week 1 or 11 (r2 = 0.097 and 0.113 respectively, p>0.05). Push-up performance was moderately to strongly correlated with load carriage performance at week 1 and 11 of BMT (r2 = -0.514 and -0.406 respectively, p<0.05). Maximal MSST performance during week 1 of BMT was strongly correlated with load carriage performance at both week 1 and 11 of BMT (r2 = -0.676 and -0.520 respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that performance in the MSST and push-ups were moderately to strongly correlated with load carriage performance. The predictive utility of these generic fitness tests decreased over BMT. There was a weak correlation between push-up performance and occupationally-relevant muscular strength performance. Both manual handling and load carriage are enduring requirements for Army personnel. In fact, a recent review of physically demanding tasks across all Army employment categories revealed that muscular strength was the dominant physical capacity. These results indicate that the current Australian Army recruit physical barrier tests do not predict the ability of male candidates to perform key occupational tasks (i.e. manual handling). It is therefore recommended that an additional test is incorporated into the recruit barrier test battery that assesses and/or predicts whole-body muscular strength performance.

Operating procedures for studies groups to collect and analyse lessons learned gained from Ukrainian Army employment in anti-terrorist operation

The article reveals purpose and basic functions of lessons learned system, offeres proper conceptual definition and operating procedures for studies groups to collect and analyse lessons learned gained from the Ukrainian Army employment in anti-terrorist operation.

Employment retention after moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the British Army 1989–98

Aims: To examine retention in employment of subjects with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the British Army. Methods: Comparative groups study of retention in Army employment after TBI using...

Older workers: can they succeed in the job market?

Objectives: To identify and track the progress of mature age workers who have overcome barriers associated with their age. To identify factors contributing to successful employment outcomes for older workers. To evaluate the success rate of service providers in facilitating access to the labour market for older workers. Methods: Three job network providers were approached: Mission Employment, Salvation Army Employment Plus and Work Ventures Inc. All three agreed to provide addresses of clients aged 45 years and over to be reached through a mail questionnaire. A total of 700 questionnaires were dispatched anonymously with the cooperation of these three organisations. A small number of follow‐up interviews were also conducted with survey respondents who indicated their willingness to be interviewed, and had signed a consent form for this purpose. Several interviews were also conducted with staff at the three cooperating agencies. Results: Of the 700 questionnaires dispatched, 163 were returned, giving a response rate of 23%. Among the respondents, 82 were employed at the time and 81 were unemployed. There were approximately equal responses from men and women. Of the 82 employed persons, 48 had obtained jobs either through answering advertisements or through personal contacts. Only 19 had obtained employment through a job network agency. The most important barrier to employment was identified as age, followed by lack of specialised skills. Conclusions: Early intervention is essential. The chances of re‐employment decline steadily with the duration of unemployment. Age discrimination stands out as the major obstacle to re‐employment for older workers. Personal connections and specialised skills are more important than the activities of job network agencies. Job seekers are also handicapped by inflexibility in relation to training, travel to new locations, and acceptance of a different kind of job.

German Scientists in Army Employment

(1947). German Scientists in Army Employment. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 65-67.

German Scientists in Army Employment

German Scientists in Army Employment