Development and Evaluation of an Integrated Basic Combat/Advanced Individual Training Program for Medical Corpsmen (MOS 91A10).

The Human Resources Research Organization undertook this study to determine experimentally the effect of integrating the Basic Combat Training (BCT) and the Advanced Individual Training (AIT) sequence of instruction for conscientious objector (CO) being trained as a Medical Corpsman (MOS 91A10). Other objectives were to develop an improved AIT program for MOS 91A10 personnel, and an improved MBT program for CO personnel; and to develop and test training methods that could be applied to the army training programs. The curriculum for COs was redesigned to provide a continuous MOS-oriented 16-week training sequence, and to include the introduction of new training techniques and arrangements of instructional material in a functional context. Tasks made up four clusters of duties: Company Aidman; Evacuation Medic; Aid Station-Dispensary Medic; and Ward Nursing-Care Medic. Evaluation techniques and instruments were selected or developed to test all phases of MBT and AIT. The experimental group performed significantly better on performance tests than the control group trained in the conventional program, and did as well on written tests of military and medical knowledge. (PT)