Longitudinal Validation of Non-Cognitive Officer Selection Measures for the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School (OCS)

This report provides recommendations regarding the implementation of Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) selection measures for enhancing performance and career continuance. The purpose of the present research was to validate an experimental selection battery called the Officer Background and Experiences Form (OBEF) against long-term (e.g., in-unit performance, service continuance) criterion measures. We collected long-term criterion measures for members of an officer cohort that had completed the OBEF upon entry into OCS in 2008. The pattern of results suggests that the OBEF was predictive of key performance and continuance outcomes approximately three years after officers received their commission. Moreover, the OBEF demonstrated incremental validity beyond that of the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT). Results from longitudinal analyses showed that officers' attitudes changed over time partially as a function of whether they entered OCS through the in-service or enlistment option programs. Changes in self-ratings of morale also were predicted by the OBEF, and change in morale over time was predictive of staying on active duty service beyond the end of the 3-year Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO). In addition, self-reported career continuance intentions were positively associated with actual active duty continuance behavior.