CLASS STANDING AT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY AS A PREDICTOR OF SUCCESS IN NAVAL AVIATION TRAINING. PROJ MR005.13-3003, SUBTASK 1, REP 37.

Abstract : The purpose of this study was to determine if measures of performance at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) might augment the regular naval aviation selection tests (the Aviation Qualification Test and the Flight Aptitude Rating) for the prediction of success of Academy graduates who enter naval air training. The performance measures were (1) Over-all Class Standing based on academic and military performance over the entire four-year course, (2) Class Standing for the First Class (or final) year at the Academy, and (3) the Aptitude for the Service ranking, which is a composite of peer and superior ratings on attitude, performance of duty, leadership, bearing, and dress. All of the performance measures from the USNA correlated significantly with two flight training criteria--the Final Over-all Grade in flight training and a pass versus separation-from--training dichotomy. Although all predictor variables demonstrated a statistically significant contribution to one or both criteria, the Over-all Class Standing and the Flight Aptitude Rating were judged to be the strongest and most useful combination among the predictor variables. Possible extension of these findings to other types of flight students such as those procured from NROTC units and Officer Candidate Schools are discussed. (Author)