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1 REPORT DOUMENTATION PAGE Fom Appoved 0MB No, Th, public epoting buden fo this collection of infomation to estimated to aveage 1 hou pe esponse, including th, time f o ev,ew,n 9 instuctions, seaching existing data souces, gath enng and maintaining the data needed, and completin gand eviewing the collection of infomation Send comments egading this but den estimate o any othe aspect of this collection of infomation, including suggestiono fo educing the buden. no Depatment of Defense, Washington Headquates Sevices, Diectoate fo Infomation Opeations and Repots t 991, 2 t 5 Jeffeson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Alington, VA Respondents should be awae that notwithstanding any othe povision of law. no peson shall be subject to any penalty fo failing to comply withacollection of infomation if it does not display a cuently valid 0MB contol numbe PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YVYY) 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES OVERED (Fom o) MASTERS THESIS TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. ONTRAT NUMBER THE UPS AND DOWNS OF ASVAB: FLUTUATIONS IN ARMED SERVIES VOATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY SORES AND 5b GRANT NUMBER IMPLIATIONS FOR U.S. ARMY FORE READINESS - 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S1 Sd. PROJET NUMBER Mak. Hoove Se. TASK NUMBER 5!. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND AODRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER Joint Advanced Wafighting School (JAWS) 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR S ARONYM(S) NDU/JFS/JAWS National Defense Univesity Joint Foces Staff ollege 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR S REPORT Joint Advanced Wafighting School NUMBER(S) 7800 Hampton Blvd, Nofolk, VA 235] I 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Distibution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRAT The U.S. militay is tansitioning away fom taditional gound was and moving towad high-tech futue was in emeging domains. Futue conflict will be moe complex and the focus on technology by all banches of the militay means an eve-inceasing need fo qualified and talented ecuits who possess the basic skills equied to be successful in today s militay, and the aptitude and inceased capability to maneuve within these emeging technologies of the futue. This eseach analyzes the Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB), an aptitude test used by all banches of the amed sevices and identifies what the changes in scoes fo Amy enlisted applicants fom 2003 to 2015 could mean fo futue Amy foce eadiness. 15. SUBJET TERMS ASVAB, Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey, Foce Readiness, Joint Readiness, Futue Readiness 16. SEURITY LASSIFIATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER isa. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON a, REPORT b. ABSTRAT a. THIS PAGE ABSTRAT OF PAGES ish. TELEPHONE NUMBER (/nc/ude aea code) U U U 63 SAR Standad Fam 298 (ReV. B/9B) Pescibed by ANSI Sod Z39. 18

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3 NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY JOINT FORES STAFF OLLEGE JOINT ADVANED WARFIGHTING SHOOL THE UPS AND DOWNS OF ASVAB: FLUTUATION IN ARMED SERVIES VOATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY SORES AND IMPLIATIONS FOR U.S. ARMY FORE READINESS by Mak. Hoove United States Depatment of State

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5 Signatue: THE UPS AND DOWNS OF ASVAB: FLUTUATION IN ARMED SERVIES VOATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY SORES AND IMPLIATIONS FOR U.S. ARMY FORE READINESS by Mak. Hoove United States Depatment ofstate A pape submitted to the Faculty of the Joint Advanced Wafighting School in patial satisfaction of the equiements of a Maste of Science Degee in Joint ampaign Planning and Stategy. The contents of this thesis eflect my own pesonal views and ae not necessaily endosed by the National Defense Univesity, Joint Foces Staff ollege, the Depatment of State, o the Depatment of Defense. This thesis is entiely my own wok except as documented in footnotes, o appopiate statement pe the Academic Integity Policy. Mach 30, 2017 Signatue: Thesis Advisos: Signatue: Pete t. ixage, oli Acting Dean of Fac Pogams Joint Foces Staff o USM and Academic e Appoved by: Stephen. Roges, olonel, USA Diecto Joint Advanced Wafighting School III

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7 Abstact The U.S. militay is tansitioning away fom taditional gound was and moving towad high-tech futue was in eneging1omains. Futue conflict will be moe complex and the focus on technology by all banches of the militay means an eve-inceasing need fo qualified and talented ecuits who possess the basic skills equied to be successful in today s militay, and the aptitude and inceased capability to maneuve within these emeging technologies of the futue. This eseach analyzes the Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB), an aptitude test used by all banches of the amed sevices and identifies what the changes in scoes fo Amy enlisted applicants fom 2003 to 2015, could mean fo futue Amy foce eadiness. V

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9 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my late gandmothe Viginia Ann Geil. He We can do it! spiit duing Wold Wa II and he wok on the B-29 Bombe will neve be fogotten. I also dedicate this thesis to my late gandfathe, John Heny Geil. His sevice duing the old Wa and pioneeing ole in the development of ealy national defense systems is foeve emembeed hee. Finally, I dedicate this thesis to my wife and daughtes. You patience and undestanding duing the hundeds of hous of eseach and witing equied fo this study have not gone unnoticed. Thank you gils! VII

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11 Acknowledgements I offe a special thank you to my advisos; D. Robet Antis, olonel Pete Pete Yeage, USM, D. Paticia Stait, aptain Miguel Boo Peko, USN, and D. Beth Mcaffey. You guidance and encouagement contibuted geatly to this thesis and ae sinceely appeciated. I also thank M. Jeffey Tune, JAWS Academic Witing Specialist fo his tieless witing assistance, as well as M. Richad M. Moeno and the Defense Manpowe Data ente fo poviding the much needed aw data. ix

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13 Table of ontents Abstact. Dedication vii Acknowledgements ix Table of ontents xi hapte 1: Intoduction Pupose and Scope of the Poject 5 Significance of the Poject 5 Limitations of the Poject 6 Definition of Tems 6 hapte 2: Review of Related Liteatue 11 Intoduction 11 ASVAB Explained 11 Design and Scientific Validity of ASVAB 12 ASVAB Subtests 13 ASVAB Subject Aea Scoes 14 Amy Foce Readiness Guidance 15 Relaxing of Recuitment Standads 17 Senio Policy Guidance and Implications 17 Thid Offset Stategy 18 Joint Vision Foce of the Futue 20 hapte 3: Methodology 23 Intoduction 23 Reseach Appoach 23 Reseach Question 23 Taget Population 24 Reseach Limitations 24 Sampling and Technique 24 Vaiables 24 Extenal Validity 25 Statistical Methods of Analysis 25 v xi

14 Focus of Study.25 hapte 4: Summay of Findings & Geneal Science (GS) 27 Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) 28 Wod Knowledge (WK) 29 Mechanical ompehension (M) Geneal Science (GS) 31 Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) 32 Wod Knowledge (WK) 32 Mechanical ompehension (M) Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) 35 Wod Knowledge (WK) 35 Mechanical ompehension (M) 36 hapte 5: Summay 39 Analysis Results 39 Data Analysis 39 Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) 40 Wod Knowledge (WK) 41 Mechanical ompehension (M) 42 hapte 6: onclusions and Recommendations 45 Bibliogaphy 47 Appendix 49 Sample ASVAB Questions 49 Sample ASVAB Scoe Results 61 Institutional Review Boad Appoval 62 Vita 63 XII

15 hapte 1: Intoduction 0/the 21 in i//lot? Anie,wa,,s tigecl 1 7 to 21, we e.ctimate that oii/v about ha/i aie (i/i/ to meet jy* high quit/lu stain/ac/s on 0111 enty exam Oil! V 1,1)0,1/ /i i/f. And when you/nc/o in oiii.clanda( s fo physk(ilfitliesn (till! fo halie! ( I, On/I (i/lout a thou III (letlin/li ehgth/e 10/0/il the mi/nay. 1il(/ ac people aleath Ifl 0111 nil/univ etie o i;ioi-e on to nell oppotlumntes in ilk, ne ha v to bing in about 250,000 tile/i vent- just to keep up. -Secetay odefense Ash ate. Foce of the Futue- Mach Futue conflict fo the United States will continue to gow in complexity and equie the use of advanced technology, and sevice membes acoss all banches of the militay must be inceasingly capable to meet these gowing demands. This study will discuss the An-ned Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB), a tool used as a measuement of aptitude fo enty to militay sevice acoss all banches of the amed foces. Because a study acoss all banches of the amed foces would be too exhaustive, complex, and fa beyond the scope of this pape, the autho focuses upon the ASVAB esults of the Amy as an indicato fo all banches of the amed sevices. Futue study of the othe militay sevices is ecommended. Accoding to fome Secetay of Defense Ash ate, only about half of the eligible candidates fo militay sevice ae able to meet the igoous standads of the militay entance exam, the ASVAB. ouple that with thei inability to meet chaacte and physical fitness standads, and it is clea that only about one-thid ae eligible fo enlistment in the amed foces. This pesents a seious consideation fo a joint foce that equies nealy 250,000 new ecuits each yeajust to maintain cuent staffing levels.2 Geneal Robet B. Abams, ommanding Geneal of U.S. Amy Foces ommand Secetay of Defense Ash ate, Foce fthe Futue Speech. Mach 30, ate

16 declaed it impeative fo the Amy to be combat eady, and globally esponsive, with soldies that ae well led, disciplined, tained, and expeditionay to win in a complex wold.3 Although this complex wold seems to gow moe dependent upon technology with each passing day, the Amy is also eliant upon a human wokfoce that must be popely ecuited, tained, and equipped to ensue a eady foce capable of sustaining the battles of the futue. As the United States militay tansitions away fom taditional gound was and positions fo high-tech was in emeging domains, the U.S. Amy is called upon to maintain its foce eadiness. As obotic systems become inceasingly autonomous and move towad the pefomance of highly complicated pocesses without human opeatos, even to the point of being able to execise lethal foce without human consent, the Amy must keep pace.4 Keeping pace means ecuiting, taining, and equipping a foce to meet the cuent demand fo pesonnel, and also the demands well into the futue. The domain shift towad futue technology pesents potential challenges fo the Amy and its ecuitment of the Foce of the Futue. It equies the Aniy to not only ecuit enlisted pesonnel who possess the basic skills and aptitude equied fo a successful caee acoss the nomal ange of taditional militay occupations, but also a fighting foce with aptitude in aeas of emeging technology to meet the challenges of the futue. The Aniy s modenization stategy focuses on funding five key pogam aeas: potecting science and technology investments to pepae fo the futue; investing in a limited numbe of new developmental pogams to addess only the most citical capability gaps; incementally modenizing a small numbe of its cuent systems to Geneal Robet 3. Abams, Amy Foces ommand. Statement on Readiness. Septembe 8,2016. Seth Thomliill. JAWS Thesis, Futue Autonomous Robotic Systems in the Pacific Theat,v

17 extend sevice life and upgade thei capability to maintain ovematch; sustaining and esetting cuent equipment to meet nea-tem eadiness equiements; and divesting obsolete and nonstandad equipment to fee up esouces fo einvestment in highe pioities.5 Each of these pioities involves a eliance upon and undestanding of technology, and equies a foce that is inceasingly capable and has the appopiate aptitude to succeed. One manne in which the Amy ensues the appopiate aptitude of its enlisted pesonnel is though the administation of the Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB), an assessment which measues not only aptitude, but also seves as a eliable indicato of success acoss the span of a nomal militay caee.6 This thesis begins with an examination of the ASVAB scoes fo all Amy enlisted applicants who took the ASVAB in 2003 and It fist looks at the mean scoes fo each yea in fou specific aeas; Geneal Science, Aithmetic Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanical ompehension. The pape then looks at the positive and negative gains obseved in mean scoe fom 2003 and 2015, and detemines whethe the changes ae statistically significant. It then explains how the Aniy uses the scoes in each aea to detemine admissibility fo Amy enlisted sevice and fo the assignment of a caee specialty. The pape concludes with the identification of possible implications these negative o positive gains may have fo foce eadiness of the Amy of the futue, and povides ecommendations fo futue eseach and study. Muay, John M Modenization Vital to Joint Foce Success. Amy Magazine 66, no. 10: V/S. Seilman. NAGB, Pc dicting Readiness fo Miliaiy Sen ice: How Enlistment Standads ae Establishc4t Septembe

18 hapte 2 is a eview of elated liteatue as eseached by the autho in the development of this thesis. It fist pesents liteatue elative to the design and scientific validity of the ASVAB as an assessment tool and ththe points to the ASVAB as being a valid pedicto of eadiness fo militay sevice of enlisted pesonnel. The chapte then exploes elevant liteatue elating to the Amy s use of the ASVAB as a sceening tool to detenine basic Amy admissibility as well as its use of the assessment to assign a paticula caee specialty. The chapte then eviews liteatue elating to the most ecent U.S. govenment senio policy guidance, and it exploes the implications of that guidance upon the thtue militay foce. The chapte concludes with a eview of liteatue elating to futue foce equiements and militay technological advances. hapte 3 povides the methodology used duing this study. The fist potion of the chapte intoduces the focus of the study and its qualitative natue as well as the eseach appoach used. The eseach question, and eseach limitations ae then discussed followed by the taget population and sampling. The chapte concludes with a discussion of the independent vaiables, extenal validity, and the statistical methods used in the analysis. hapte 4 stats with a thoough discussion of the data studied in this case. It explains any changes in ASVAB scoes that occued fom 2003 to The chapte then discusses the statistical significance of any changes in ASVAB scoes and beaks down the data by testing aea: Geneal Science, Aithmetic Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanical ompehension. The chapte concludes with a summay of the findings, the autho s conclusions of what the implications ae fo futue foce eadiness, and concludes with ecommendations fo futue eseach. 4

19 Pupose and Scope of the Poject The pupose of this poject is to identif changes in the Anwd Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB) scoes of Amy enlisted applicants in the yeas 2003, 2009, and 2015 to identify what implications these positive o negative gains may mean fo U.S. Amy foce eadiness in the Thtue. The scope of this poject is all Amy enlisted applicants who took the ASVAB in 2003, 2009, and The data studied was the AS VAR aw scoes povided by the Defense Manpowe Data ente. The study does not conside scoes othe than fo the yeas listed. The study focuses on desciptive statistics and does not undetake infeential analysis. Significance of the Poject This poject is significant and impotant because it will detemine what changes, if any, have taken place in ASVAB scoes between 2003, 2009, and 2015, and will identif implications fo Amy foce eadiness. As the Amy adapts to a changing envionment it must ensue that it continues to ecuit and employ a capable and eady foce of soldies who meet the needs of the Thtue. Building upon pio eseach in the aea of the ASVAB as a pedicto of eadiness, this study will ththe highlight the implications changes in ASVAB scoes in 2003 and 2015 may have on foce eadiness. This study povides a peviously unavailable pespective on Amy foce eadiness because it quantifies concens about foce eadiness, not only in the basic caee fields, but also in emeging highly technical positions and equiements. 5

20 Limitations of the Poject Because the numbe of enlisted applicants who took the ASVAB between 2003 and 2015 is vey lage, this poject is limited to only those Amy enlisted applicants who took the ASVAB in 2003, 2009, and 2015 to allow a measuable numbe fo this study. This eseach maintains a focus only on the subtests fo Geneal Science, Aithmetic Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanical ompehension because these subtest scoes ae utilized in the calculation of a boad aay of Subject Aea test scoes. Definition of Tems Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB): The Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battey in the wold.7 As an aptitude test, the ASVAB measues test take stengths, weaknesses, and potential fo futue success. The ASVAB also povides the test take with caee aptitude measuement infomation fo vaious civilian and militay occupations and is an indicato fo success in futue endeavos in college, vocational school, o a militay caee. The ASVAB is used by all banches of the U.S. amed sevices to detemine admissibility fo militay sevice and assignment to a caee specialty within the sevices. Thid Offset Stategy: A Depatment of Defense innovation initiative fist announced by Secetay of Defense huck Hagel in Novembe, 2014 and built upon by Secetay of Defense Ashton ate which deals with anti-access and aea-denial, guided munitions, undesea wafae. cybe and electonic wafae, human-machine teaming, and wa 6

21 gaming and development of new opeating concepts. This stategy is based upon the fist and second offset stategies and has as its coe goal the maintaining of U.S. militay supeioity ove advesaies though the development of advanced capabilities.8 Foce of the Futue: A seies of initiatives announced by Secetay of Defense Ashton ate in Novembe 2015 which wee designed to maintain the U.S. Depatment of Defense s competitive edge in the ecuitment of pesonnel with high levels of talent and capability. Potions of the initiative ae tageted at gaining pesonnel with highly technical expetise. Joint Foce 2020: Signed by Geneal Matin Dempsey, haiman of the Joint hiefs of Staff in Septembe 2012, the apstone oncept fo Joint Opeations; Joint Foce 2020 seved as a new concept of opeations to addess the tansition by the U.S. militay away fom moe than a decade of was towad addessing secuity paadoxes in which destuctive technologies ae available to a wide and dispaate goup of advesaies. By globally integating opeations, the militay will be capable of integating capabilities acoss domains, echelons, geogaphic boundaies, and oganizational affiliations.9 Defense Stategic Guidance: Published in Januay 2012 and signed by Pesident Baack Obama and Secetay of Defense Leon Panetta, this document is the senio level guidance towad sustaining U.S. global leadeship in the 2l centuy with a smalle, leane foce /deputy-secetay-thid-offset-stategy-bolstesameicas-militay-deteence 7

22 It outlines a new foce that is moe agile, flexible, eady, and technologically advanced with cutting edge capabilities; exploiting technological, joint and netwoked advantages. Amy Foce Readiness: The capability of the Amy to pefom the missions o fnctions fo which it was oganized o designed. This eadiness is based upon the Amy s fou pillas; manning, taining, equipping, and developing leades. Amy eadiness is measued by the Amy s ability as a whole to defeat, deny, o dete hybid, nea-pee theats and meet opeational demands. Taditional Wafae: Taditional militay opeations conducted by using conventional weapons and battlefield tactics between two o moe states in open confontation. The foces on each side ae well-defined, and fight using toops and wcapons that pimaily taget the opponent s militay. 2 Militay Occupational Specialty: A caee field within the militay to which an enlisted membe is assigned. 3 Defense Stategic Guidance http.//nvw.acq.osd.mi1/ecp!dos/emission_oven iew May2Ol 5.pdf U.S. Amy Readiness Guidance , Obsevations of a Stategic opoal. htlp:// sof_stacop.pdf 3 U.S. Amy info/mosall 8

23 Amy Total Foce: A pogam designed to integate the active duty and eseve components of the Amy into a moe aligned foce based upon the paticula attibutes of the paticula component and individual competencies. 4 Validity: The degee to which evidence and theoy suppot the intepetation of test scoes entailed by a poposed use of tests. Validity is the most fundamental consideation in developing and evaluating tests. 5 4 Real lea Defense. I 6/06/30/amyjotal_focepolicy_ html IS Ameican Educational Reseach Association, Ameican Psychological Association, National ouncil on Measuement in Education. The Standads fo Educational and Psychological Testing

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25 hapte 2: Review of Related Liteatue Intoduction A eview of elevant liteatue was conducted to suppot the aea of study undetaken in this thesis. A geneal suvey of past eseach in the aea of Amy foce eadiness and the ASVAB was conducted to detemine what eseach and published guidance aleady exist in this aea. Secondly, eseach was conducted into the ASVAB and its design, pupose, validity, and ole as a eliable pedicto of eadiness fo enlistment into militay sevice. Lastly, eseach into ifitue equiements and the pojected thtue foce eadiness needs of the Amy was conducted. The eseache identified the following liteatue to be elevant to the aea of study. ASVAB Explained In 1974, all militay banches began using the ASVAB fo selection and classification of enlisted pesonnel as the standad by which enlisted applicants ae measued and decisions egading admissibility fo militay sevice ae made. 16 The ASVAB is a seies of tests that was designed by the Depatment of Defense to measue a test-takes aptitude fo militay sevice. All banches of the militay sevices also use the ASVAB to help detemine the paticula Militay Occupational Specialty (MOS) caee field to which an enlisted membe is assigned. The ASVAB is administeed electonically at Militay Enlistment Pocessing Stations (MEPS) and in pape fom at Militay Entance Test (MET) sites. It is also administeed to students at high schools aound the county 16 us Depatment of Defense. Official ASVAB Infomation. Histozy oftheasvab. asvab. c om/histo y_es. htm 11

26 though the aee Exploation Pogam (EP) which helps students detemine whethe they ae college and caee eady)7 Design and Scientific Validity of AS VAR The Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey is an assessment tool used to detemine the enlistment eligibility and occupational assignment of Amy, Navy, Maine ops, and Ai Foce applicants. ASVAB is scientifically developed and validated to ensue that those enlisted into the amed sevices have a easonable pobability of completing basic militay taining and technical taining, and successfully pefonning the duties of thei caee field once assigned. 9 In 2003, the ASVAB was administeed to moe than 400,000 applicants fo militay sevice at locations acoss the United States to detemine thei aptitude fo militay sevice. A 2004 epot by W.S. Sellnan entitled Pedicting Readiness fo Militay Sevice was pepaed fo the National Assessment Govening Boad. This epot seves as an excellent efeence fo how assessments standads ae established. It also efeences the eliability of the ASVAB testing system as a tool fo detemining the aptitude fo militay sevice fo potential enlisted pesonnel. The ASVAB is descibed by Sellman below; The Depatment of Defense uses a single battey, the Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB) to detemine the enlistment eligibility of applicants fo the Amy. Navy, Maine ops, and Ai Foce, as well as thei espective Reseve omponents. The ASVAB also is used to assign successful applicants to militay occupations. The value of ASVAB is well poven. It was scientifically developed and validated to ensue that all enlistees would have a easonable pobability of completing militay job skill taining and pefoming successfully on the job United States Depatment of Defense. The Amy Guide to AS VAR. U.S. Depatment of Defense. ASVAB official site. Sellman, Ibid. 12

27 The ASVAB is a battey composed of vaious tests that measue vebal, mathematics, and science/technical skills and knowledge. The Amed Foces Qualification Test (AFQT), a composite of vebal and mathematics tests fom ASVAB, is the pimay enlistment sceen. The battey is nonned against a nationally epesentative sample of young people ages that tested in This allows the compaison of applicant and ecuit aptitude levels with those of the contempoay civilian youth population fom which they come. 21 ASVAB Subtests The ASVAB is compised of eight subtests which consist of seies of 200 questions. and cove the following aeas; Geneal Science (GS): A 25-item test measuing knowledge of life science, eath and space science, and physical science Aithmetic Reasoning (AR): A 30-item test measuing ability to solve basic aithmetic wod poblems Wod Knowledge (WK): A 35-item test measuing ability to undestand the meaning of wods though synonyms Paagaph ompehension (P): A 15-item test measuing ability to obtain infomation fom witten mateial Mathematics Knowledge (MK): A 25-item test measuing knowledge of mathematical concepts and applications Electonics Infomation (ED: A 20-item test measuing knowledge of electical cuent, cicuits, devices, and electonic systems 21 Ibid. 13

28 Auto and Shop Infomation (AS): An 11-item test measuing knowledge of wood and metal shop pactices Mechanical ompehension (M): A 16-item test measuing knowledge of the pinciples of mechanical devices, stuctual suppot, and popeties of mateials ASVAB Subject Aea Scoes ASVAB has ten Subject Aea (SA) scoes which ae calculated by the combination of a seies of Subtest scoes. These Subject Aea (SA) scoes ae aligned to meet the ecuitment needs of the vaious banches of the militay.22 The Subject Aeas ae listed below, followed by the paticula combination of Subtest scoes used in thei calculation. leical (L): Wod Knowledge, Paagaph ompehension, Aithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge. ombat (O): Wod Knowledge, Paagaph ompehension, Auto & Shop and Mechanical ompehension. Electonics (EL): Geneal Science, Aithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge and Electonic Infomation. Field Atilley (FA): Aithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge and Mechanical ompehension. 22 us Amy Official ASVAB Guide. Undestanding the ASVAB. hip:!! wwwgoanny.comieam undestanding-the-asvabhtml 14

29 Geneal Maintenance (GM): Geneal Science, Auto & Shop, Mathematics Knowledge and Electonics Infomation. Geneal Technical (GT): Wod Knowledge, Paagaph ompehension, and Aithmetic Reasoning (AR). Mechanical Maintenance (MM): Auto & Shop, Mechanical ompehension and Electonic Infomation. Opeatos and Food (OF): Wod Knowledge, Paagaph ompehension, Auto & Shop and Mechanical ompehension. Suveillance and ommunications (S): Wod Knowledge, Paagaph ompehension, Aithmetic Reasoning, Auto & Shop and Mechanical ompehension. Skilled Technical (ST): Wod Knowledge, Paagaph ompehension, Geneal Science, Mechanical ompehension and Mathematics Knowledge. Amy Foce Readiness Guidance Anny Foce Readiness is measued by its ability to defeat, deny, o dete hybid, nea-pee theats and meet opeational demand equiements. Accoding to the U.S. Amy Foce Readiness guidance issued fo , the Amy is woking to impove oveall eadiness to a position which it efes to as a Ready Amy by This is impotant to the Amy because eadiness is its top pioity and enables the Amy to be eady to addess a constantly changing wold-wide secuity envionment and maintain its 23 Amy Readiness Guidance, ability to defeat, deny, o dete hybid, nea-pee theats and meet opeational demand equiements 15

30 ability to fight and win was. Amy eadiness is gounded upon the fou pillas of manning, taining, equipping, and leade development, as descibed in the except below fom the most ecent Amy Foce Readiness guidance.24 Manning: The Amy will keep units pedictably manned with a focus on maximizing pesonnel eadiness and deployability by poviding commandes with moe pecise pesonnel eadiness standads and epoting tools, and by continuing to assess new qualified Soldies to maintain total foce end stength. Taining: The Amy will continue to povide tough, ealistic, combined ams and joint taining to geneate eady units with Decisive Action/Unified Land Opeations (DA/ULO) poficiency. Equipping: The Anny will continue to equip, sustain, and modenize the foce to ensue that units have the equipment equied to maintain technological ovematch and defeat any theat. Leade Development: The Amy will continue to ecuit and develop stong, moal, and ethical leades to ensue eadiness now and into the ffitue. The Anny equies a well-tained and well equipped foce to emain healthy and successftil, able to addess the challenges of the futue. The ASVAB scoe, when 21 us Amy. Focc Readiness Quklance

31 consideed with gende and ank has been shown to be a eliable pedicto of success in Amy specialties.25 Relaxing of Recuitment Standads Maintaining a thuly staffed and capable wokfoce is a key component of militay eadiness. A 2001 study by Lawence Kapp fo the ongessional Reseach Sevice pointed to stong ecuiting effots following incidents of national significance. 26 Kapp s eseach also points to a elaxing of militay ecuitment standads duing peiods of citical need. This standad adjustment has helped to meet key national secuity goals of staffing much needed enlisted militay positions in the past. While a elaxing of standads may seve to meet national ecuitment goals, it may also poduce a ecuit who has a lowe aptitude in cetain key aeas. Senio Policy Guidance and Implications The joint militay opeational envionment continues to gow in complexity and the need fo technically competent enlisted militay pesonnel is citical. This need fo tech savvy soldies exists acoss all banches of the militay sevices including the Amy which must be able to meet the needs of a highly technology dependent fighting foce as outlined in Joint Vision 2020 and Foce of the Futue initiatives as infomed by the 3td offset stategy. 25 Gant, Joel, Angel L. Vagas, Robet A. Holcek, aolyn H. Watson, Jessica A. Gant, and Foest S. Kim. Militay Medicine 177. Is the ASVAB ST omposite Scoe a Reliable Pedicto offict-attempt Gaduation fo the U.S. Amy Opeating Room Specialist ouse? L. Kapp. ongessional Reseach Sevice. Recuiting and Retention: An Qven iew offy2oii and FY2012 Results fo Active and Resen e omponent EnlLited PesonneL May,

32 Thid Offset Stategy In his Apil 28, 2016 speech in Bussels, Deputy Secetay of Defense Bob Wok discussed the Thid Offset Stategy. In his discussion, he mentioned that thee ae two things that keep him up at night; the theat of teoism and the challenges posed by a esugent Russia.27 Wok said that he believes both of these issues will equie a new 2 1 entuy appoach, and stengthened deteence in a way that the United States has not eally thought about since the end of the old Wa. The theats posed by a esugent Russia in Euope and a ising hina in the Fa East have sialed an ea of new geat powe competition and seve as a eminde of the teible danges involved in a wa between two geat powes. Wok s view is that it is in the inteest of the United States and NATO to maintain stong nuclea and conventional deteence to ensue that a collision of two geat powes is not allowed to happen again, Wok descibes this as having compehensive stability though stategic paity; both the United States and Russia having enough nuclea bombs to devastate each othe. Beyond the nuclea deteence is the conventional deteence. In ode to peseve peace in an ea whee Russia and hina ae both making stides in the development of moe advanced conventional capabilities, the United States must ensue an ovennatching of capabilities to make the chances of wa between geat powes infinitesimally small. 25 With both Russia and hina impoving thei capabilities at sea, on land, and in the ai, and with the gowth of thei cybe, electonic, and space wafae platfoms towad a fist 27 Deputy Secetay of Defense Bob Wok. Speech in Bussels, Belgium. Apil 28, htcps:// 28 Depucy Secetay Wok. Bussels Speech. Apil 28,

33 stike capability in the conventional (non-nuclea) domain, it is even moe impotant to incease the magin of technological supeioity accoding to Deputy Secetay Wok.29 He descibes the Thid Offset Stategy as combinations of technology, opeational concepts, and oganizational and foce constucts to maintain the ability to poject U.S. combat powe into any aea at the time and place of thei choosing. Accoding to Wok, this stategy will depend lagely on the development and use of Atificial Intelligence (Al) and autonomous tecimologies in cybe defense, electonic wafae defense, missile defense, and the deployment of human-machine battle netwoks. Wok futhe descibes an envionment whee the U.S. and allies stand up new opeational LLfie souce netwoks with atilley. ockets and conventional ballistic missiles whee any soldie in NATO could be able to call in the fies.3 It is clea that the Thid Offset stategy towad high-tech conventional deteence and autonomous and atificial intelligence signifies a continuing need fo a highly competent and technically qualified militay wok foce. Joint Vision 2020 In the yea 2000, the haiman of the Joint hiefs of Staff published Joint Vision The haiman summaized his goal as Dedicated individuals and innovative oganizations tansfoming the joint foce fo the 215t centuy to achieve fill spectum dominance. This vision builds upon and extends the conceptual template established by Joint Vision 2010 to guide the continuing tansfomation of the Amed Foces to fight and win Ameica s was.3 Vision 2020 lays out its pupose and the factos necessay fo 29 Ibid. Ibid. U.S. Depatment of Defense. Joint Foces Quately. Joint Vision Summe

34 the joint foce to be successthl, including human talent, a pofessional well4ained, and eady foce, and ththe details the militay opeational capabilities needed fo a successffil joint foce though 2020 and beyond. Among the opeational concepts necessay to cay out this vision is the commitment to continued development of new militay pesonnel and capabilities. In this way the United States can build the most capable and effective militay foce by This foce will not only be joint as an oganization though the use ofjoint doctine, but also joint intellectually and technically. This level ofjointness equies a highly capable militay foce. In his stategy, the haiman points to two factos as having the potential to have stong influence ove the achievement of these goals: the continued development and polifeation of infomation technology, and the amed foces continued eliance on capacity fo intellectual and technical innovation. hanges in the pace of technology will impact Ameica s ability to nutue innovation in its pesonnel and acoss the banches of the militay, which will impact joint opeations. This stategy ests upon the fact that the infomation, infomation pocessing, and infomation netwoks ae at the cente of ou activities as a militay and indicate an inceased eliance on technology fo the accomplishment of ou missions. Because of this inceased technological impeative, it is then essential that U.S. toops be highly capable fom a teclmological standpoint in ode to meet the gowing demands of an inceasingly moe technologically dependent joint militay foce. Foce of the Futue This shift is due in pat to the Thid Offset Stategy which seeks to addess the shinking U.S. militay foce stuctue and close the gap on a declining militay 20

35 technological supeioity. This signals not only a seach fo new technologies that give the U.S. a technological advantage, but also takes a fesh look at impoving existing capabilities at low cost. This focus on technology means an eve-inceasing need fo qualified and talented ecuits who not only possess the basic skills equied to be successthl in today s Amy, but also a cade of young people who possess the aptitude to maneuve within these emeging technologies and tansfom the U.S. militay into what Secetay of Defense Ash ate efes to as the Foce of the Futue. Secetay of Defense Ash ate einfoced this commitment to inceased technology within the joint foce when he announced his Foce of the Futue initiative in A majo component of this initiative is an impoved technological capability of the militay and a commitment to the ecuitment of pesonnel with the equisite capability to addess inceased technological demands. Technological capability depends heavily upon the militay pesonnel and thei skill and a commitment to inceased technology in the militay elies heavily upon a highly skilled militay wokfoce. capable of keeping pace with apidly emeging technology. In ode to field a stong militay, the U.S. must ensue it continues to set appopiate standads fo the ecuitment and etention of militay ecuits. To maintain its position as the peeminent fighting foce woldwide, able to addess the evolving theats of violent extemism and teoism, and the pesistent isk of theats to Ameica and its allies as outlined in the Pesident s 2015 National Secuity Stategy, the U.S. must take delibeate steps to ensue the highest quality ecuits ae selected fo enlistment in the banches of 32 U.S. Depatment of Defense. Foce of the Futue official website _Foce-of-the-Futue 21

36 the U.S. militay and the militay must emain poised to guad ou enduing national inteests. Baack H. Obama. The White House, National Secuity Sn ate. Washington, D national secuity stategv.pdf 22

37 hapte 3: Methodology Intoduction The eseach in this study is qualitative in natue and is used to gain an undestanding of the potential impact that changes in ASVAB scoes could have on Amy foce eadiness. This qualitative data helps to gain futhe insight into potential poblems in ode to develop ideas and ecommendations fo futhe quantitative eseach. Reseach Appoach This study utilizes a social science appoach and achival ecods ae examined to analyze the ASVAB scoes fo Amy enlisted applicants fom 2003, 2009, and hanges in mean scoes ae identified, the significance of those changes ae tested though use of unpaied independent samples T-test, and the potential impact those changes may have on foce eadiness of the U.S. Amy is discussed. No pesonally identifiable infonnation will be used. Reseach Question How have ASVAB scoes fo Geneal Science, Math Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanics changed since 2003 as compaed to 2009, and, 2015; ae these changes statistically significant; and what ae the implications fo futue foce eadiness of the U.S. Amy? 23

38 Taget Population The taget population is all Amy enlisted applicants who took the ASVAB in 2003 (12,768), 2009 (10,651) and 2015 (9,542) fo a total population of32,961 pesons. Gende of the test takes is not known. Reseach Limitations The ASVAB is used by all banches of the militay sevices to measue aptitude fo militay sevice, howeve a study acoss all banches is fa too extensive and complex fo this study. Although futue study of the othe banches of the amed sevices may be beneficial, the scope of this study is limited to all Amy enlisted applicants who took the ASVAB in 2003, 2009, and Sampling and Technique The sample goup is all Amy enlisted applicants who took the ASVAB in 2003, 2009, and Random sampling was not used in this study. Raw ASVAB scoe data was equested fom the Defense Manpowe Data ente fo all enlisted applicants fom all U.S. militay sevices who had taken the ASVAB fom Fom this data, only the data fo Amy applicants fo 2003, 2009, and 2015 wee isolated and analyzed. Moe specifically, data elating to Geneal Science, Math Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanical ompehension wee assessed. Vaiables The dependent vaiable in this study is the ASVAB scoe. The independent vaiable in this study ae 2003, 2009, and

39 Extenal Validity Although all banches of the U.S. militay use the ASVAB as an assessment of eadiness and aptitude fo militay sevice, this study seeks to identify changes in ASVAB scoes only fo Amy enlisted applicants to detemine how those scoes impact Amy foce eadiness. The esults of this study should not be pojected geneally acoss all banches of the militay sevices without ffithe inquiy. Genealization acoss othe banches of the militay sevices is a theat to extenal validity. Statistical Methods of Analysis Using Gaph Pad softwae, an unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefontled compaing ASVAB Geneal Science, Math Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanics mean scoes with scoes in the same categoies: 2003 to 2009, 2009 to 2015, and 2003 to Focus of Study Duing this study, the ASVAB scoes fo 2003, 2009, and 2015 wee investigated based upon data povided by the U.S. Depatment of Defense, Defense Manpowe Data ente. Moe specifically the study focused upon the ASVAB scoes fo the Geneal Science (GS), Aithmetic Reasoning (AR), Wod Knowledge (WK), and Mechanical ompehension (M) subtests. Once identified, the scoes fom 2003 wee compaed with the scoes fo 2009 to detemine if thee had been any changes. Scoes fo 2009 wee compaed with scoes fom 2015 to detemine if thee had been any changes, and scoes Gaphpad Sofiwae webpage. 25

40 fom 2003 wee compaed with scoes fom 2015 to detemine if thee had been any oveall changes. Once changes wee identified, an unpaied independent samples T-Test was conducted to detemine if the changes wee statistically significant. An unpaied independent samples T-test measues whethe the diffeence between sample aveages is likely to epesent an actual diffeence between populations, and the effect size indicates whethe that diffeence is lage enough to be pactically meaningthl.2 Following the assessment of these factos, the autho identified which Subject Aea scoes might be impacted as a esult of changes in Subtest scoes. By undestanding which Subject Aea tests ae impacted by a paticula Subtest scoe, the autho then identified the potential impact the change may have on futue foce eadiness. Those aeas of impact ae identified along with ecommendations fo additional study in the conclusions and ecommendations section of this thesis

41 hapte 4: Summay of Findings When compaing data fom 2003 and 2009, thee wee notable changes in the Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB) scoes fo Amy enlisted applicants in the aeas of Geneal Science, Math Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanical ompehension. A summay of the findings is below. Geneal Science (GS) The Geneal Science (GS) potion of the ASVAB consists of twenty-five questions completed in eleven minutes, and measues knowledge of physical and biological sciences. The Geneal Science (G5) subtest scoe is consideed as a facto when calculating Subject Aea scoes in the following aeas; Electonics (EL) Geneal Maintenance (GM) Skilled Technical (GT) Data analysis: An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB Geneal Science mean scoes fom 2003 (M 52.87, SD7.77) and 2009 (M52.73, SD 7.91). Results show that the.14 point mean diffeence was not statistically significant t(2341 9)= 0.103, p>.05, indicating that on aveage the 2009 Geneal Science scoes although lowe Ellen Moeau. Naval Postgaduate School. Foecasting High-Tech AS VAR Sco?n

42 than the Geneal Science scoes in 2003, the dop in scoes was not statistically significant. Theefoe when consideed by itself, this.14% dop in the mean scoes fo Geneal Science fom 2003 to 2009 does not necessaily indicate negative implications fo the Geneal Science scoe, o the Electonics, Geneal Maintenance, and Skilled Technical Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Geneal Science subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) The Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) potion of the ASVAB consists of 30 questions completed in 36 minutes and measues the test-takes ability to solve aithmetic wod poblems.2 The Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) subtest scoe is consideed as a facto when calculating Subject Aea scoes in the following aeas; leical (L) Electonics (EL) Field Atilley (FA) Geneal Technical (GT) Suveillance and ommunications (S) Data analysis: An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB aithmetic Reasoning (AR) mean scoes fom 2003 (M=53.13, SD7.47) and 2009 (M=53.54, SD=7.0l). Results show that the.41 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(23419) =.09, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2009 Aithmetic 2 Moeau

43 Reasoning (AR) scoes wee significantly highe than the Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) scoes in This.41 point incease in the mean scoes fo Aithmetic Reasoning fom 2003 to 2009 could indicate positive implications fo not only the Aithmetic Reasoning scoe, but also fo the leical, Electonics, Field Atilley, Geneal technical, and Suveillance and ommunications Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Aithmetic Reasoning subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. Wod Knowledge (WK) The Wod Knowledge (WK) potion of the ASVAB consists of 35 questions completed ove a peiod of 11 minutes, and measues the test-take s ability to select the coect meanings of wods pesented in context and to identify the best synonym fo a given wod.3 The Wod Knowledge (WK) subtest scoe is consideed as a facto when calculating Subject Aea scoes in the following aeas; leical (L) ombat (O) Geneal Technical (GT) Opeatos and Food (OF) Suveillance and ommunications (S) Skilled Technical (ST) Data analysis: An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB Wod Knowledge (WK) mean scoes fom 2003 (M53.62, 5D5.54) and 2009 (M52.64, Ibid. 29

44 SD=7.39). Results show that the.98 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(23419) = 11.58, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2009 Wod Knowledge (WK) scoes wee significantly lowe than the Wod Knowledge (WK) scoes in This.98 point dop in the mean scoes fo Wod Knowledge fom 2003 to 2009 indicates possible negative implications fo not only the Wod Knowledge scoe, but also fo the leical, ombat, Geneal Technical, Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Wod Knowledge subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. Mechanical ompehension (M) The Mechanical ompehension (M) potion of the ASVAB consists of 25 questions completed ove a peiod of 19 minutes, and measues the test-take s knowledge of mechanical and physical pinciples and his/he ability to visualize how illustated objects wok. Mechanical ompehension (M) subtest scoe is consideed as a facto when calculating Subject Aea scoes in the following aeas; ombat (O) Field Atilley (FA) Mechanical Maintenance (MM) Opeatos and Food (OF) Suveillance and ommunications (S) Skilled Technical (ST) Data analysis: An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB Mechanical ompehension (M) mean scoes fom 2003 (M=46.74, SDI 8.62) and Ibid. 30

45 2009 (M=52.29, SD=13.84). Results show that the 5.55 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(23419) = 25.45, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2009 Mechanical ompehension (M) scoes wee significantly highe than the Mechanical ompehension (M) scoes in This 5.55 point incease in the mean scoes fo Mechanical ompehension fom 2003 to 2009 indicates possible positive implications fo not only the Mechanical ompehension scoe, but also fo the ombat, Field Atilley, Mechanical Maintenance, Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical subject aea scoes, which ely on the Mechanical ompehension subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation When compaing scoes fom 2009 and 2015, thee wee statistically significant fluctuations in the Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB) scoes fo Amy enlisted applicants in the aeas of Geneal Science, Math Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanical ompehension. A summay of the findings is below. Geneal Science (GS) Data analysis: An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB Geneal Science mean scoes fom 2009 (M=52.73, SD=7.91) and 2015 (M=51.94, SD=8.07). Results show that the.79 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(20191) = 7.01, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2015 Geneal Science scoes wee significantly lowe than the Geneal Science scoes in

46 This.79 point dop in the mean scoes fo Geneal Science fom 2009 to 2015 indicates possible negative implications fo not only the Geneal Science scoe, but also fo the Electonics, Geneal Maintenance, and Skilled Technical Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Geneal Science subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. This decline in Geneal Science scoes could indicate a potential decline in scoes in these othe aeas as stated. Data analysis: Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB aithmetic Reasoning (AR) mean scoes fom 2009 (M=53.54, SD7.Ol) and 2015 (M=52.97, SD=7. 12). Results show that the.57 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(20191) = 5.72, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2015 Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) scoes wee significantly lowe than the Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) scoes in This.57 point dop in the mean scoes fo Aithmetic Reasoning fom 2009 to 2015 indicates possible negative implications fo not only the Aithmetic Reasoning scoe, but also fo the leical, Electonics, Field Atilley, Geneal technical, and SuveilLance and ommunications Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Aithmetic Reasoning subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. This decline in Aithmetic Reasoning scoes could indicate a potential decline in scoes in these othe aeas as stated. Data analysis: Wod Knowledge (WK) 32

47 An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB Wod Knowledge (WK) mean scoes fom 2009 (M52.64, SD7.39) and 2015 (M=5 1.46, SD=7. 13). Results show that the 1.18 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(20191) = 11.51, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2015 Wod Knowledge (WK) scoes wee significantly lowe than the Wod Knowledge (WK) scoes in This 1.18 point dop in the mean scoes fo Wod Knowledge fom 2009 to 2015 indicates possible negative implications fo not only Wod Knowledge scoe, but also fo the leical, ombat, Geneal Technical, Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Wod Knowledge subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. This decline in Wod Knowledge scoes could indicate a potential decline in scoes in these othe aeas as stated. Data analysis: Mechanical ompehension (M) An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefonned compaing ASVAB Mechanical ompehension (M) mean scoes fom 2009 (M=52.29, SD= 13.84) and 2015 (M=48.58, SD=1 8.96). Results show that the 3.71 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(20l91) = 15.99, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2015 Mechanical ompehension (M) scoes wee significantly lowe than the Mechanical ompehension (M) scoes in This 3.71 point decease in the mean scoes fo Mechanical ompehension fom 2009 to 2015 indicates possible negative implications fo not only the Mechanical ompehension scoe, but also fo the ombat, Field Atilley, Mechanical Maintenance, 33

48 Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical subject aea scoes, which ely on the Mechanical ompehension subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. This decease in Mechanical ompehension scoes could indicate a potential decease in scoes in these othe aeas as stated Between 2003 and 2015, thee wee statistically significant fluctuations in the Amed Sevices Vocational Aptitude Battey (ASVAB) scoes fo Amy enlisted applicants in the aeas of Geneal Science, Math Reasoning, Wod Knowledge, and Mechanics. A summay of the findings is below. Data analysis: Geneal Science (GS) An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB Geneal Science mean scoes fom 2003 (M52.87, SD7.77) and 2015 (M51.94, SD 8.07). Results show that the.93 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(22308) = 8.69, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2015 Geneal Science scoes wee significantly lowe than the Geneal Science scoes in Data analysis: This.93 point dop in the mean scoes fo Geneal Science fom 2003 to 2015 indicates possible negative implications fo not only the Geneal Science scoe, but also fo the Electonics, Geneal Maintenance, and Skilled Technical Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Geneal Science subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. This 34

49 decline in Geneal Science scoes could indicate a potential decline in scoes in these othe aeas as stated. Data analysis: Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing AS VAR aithmetic Reasoning (AR) mean scoes fom 2003 (M SD=7.47) and 2015 (M=52.97, SD= 7.12). Results show that the.16 point mean diffeence was not statistically significant t(22308) = 1.61, p >.05, indicating that on aveage although the 2015 Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) scoes wee slightly lowe than the Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) scoes in 2003, the diffeence was not of statistical significance. This.16 point dop in the mean scoes fo Aithmetic Reasoning fom 2003 to 2015 points to neithe negative no positive implications fo the Aithmetic Reasoning scoe, but also fo the leical, Electonics, Field Atilley, Geneal technical, and Suveillance and ommunications Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Aithmetic Reasoning subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. Data analysis: Wod Knowledge (WK) An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing AS VAR Wod Knowledge (WK) mean scoes fom 2003 (M SDS.54) and 2015 (M5l.46. SD 7.13). Results show that the 2.16 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(22308) = 27.81, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2015 Wod 35

50 Knowledge (WK) scoes wee significantly lowe than the Wod Knowledge (WK) scoes in This 2.16 point dop in the mean scoes fo Wod Knowledge fom 2003 to 2015 indicates possible negative implications fo not only Wod Knowledge scoe, but also fo the leical, ombat, Geneal Technical, Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Wod Knowledge subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. This decline in Wod Knowledge scoes could indicate a potential decline in scoes in these othe aeas as stated. Mechanical ompehension (M) Data analysis: An unpaied independent samples T-Test was pefomed compaing ASVAB Mechanical ompehension (M) mean scoes fom 2003 (M=46.74, SD=18.62) and 2015 (M= SD= 18.96). Results show that the 1.84 point mean diffeence was statistically significant t(22308) = 7.24, p <.05, indicating that on aveage the 2015 Mechanical ompehension (M) scoes wee significantly highe than the Mechanical ompehension (M) scoes in This 1.84 point incease in the mean scoes fo Mechanical ompehension fom 2003 to 2015 indicates possible positive implications fo not only the Mechanical ompehension scoe, but also fo the ombat, Field Atilley, Mechanical Maintenance, Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical subject aea scoes, which ely on the Mechanical ompehension subtest scoe as a facto in thei 36

51 calculation. This incease in Mechanical ompehension scoes could indicate a potential incease in scoes in these othe aeas as stated. 37

52 Intentionally left blank 38

53 hapte 5: Summay Analysis Results In summay. when compaing the ASVAB mean scoes fom 2003 to the scoes fo 2015 in the aeas of Geneal Science (OS), Aithmetic Reasoning (AR), Wod Knowledge (WK), and Mechanical ompehension (M), thee wee notable changes in the mean scoes of each subtest aea. Afte pefoming unpaied independent samples T-Test fo all subject aea scoes, it was detemined that some changes wee statistically significant while othes wee not. What follows is a summay of the analysis and a bief discussion of each. Data Analysis Geneal Science (S) Geneal Science s Geneal Sdence

54 - - The data shows a geneal decline in test scoes fo the Geneal Science (GS) component of the ASVAB fom 2003 to Although a modest decline of.14 points in the mean scoes fom 2003 to 2009 was not consideed statistically significant, the futhe decline of.79 points between 2009 and 2015 was statistically significant. When consideing an oveall dop of.93 points in the mean scoe fo the Geneal Science (GS) test between 2003 and 2015, this oveall decease in scoes indicates negative implications fo not only the Geneal Science (GS) scoe, but also fo the Electonics, Geneal Maintenance, and Skilled Technical Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Geneal Science (GS) subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) Aithmetic Reasoning Aithmetic Reasoning 2015 Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) The data shows that thee was not a statistically significant change in mean scoe fo the Aithmetic Reasoning (AR) subtest fom 2003 to While a statistically 40

55 - significant incease of.41 points was obseved between 2003 and 2009, it was followed by a statistically significant decline of.57 points between 2009 and Despite the peak in the 2009 mean test scoes, when compaing the 2003 mean scoe of to the 2015 mean scoe of 52.97, the small oveall decline of.16 points in the mean scoe fom 2003 to 2015 is not statistically significant. Likewise, this change in scoes fom 2003 to 2015 should have little oveall positive o negative implications fo the leical, Electonics, Field Atilley. Geneal Technical, and Suveillance and ommunications Subject Aea scoes, which ely on the Aithmetic Reasoning subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. Wod Knowledge (WK) Wod Knowledge Wod Knowledge 2015 Wod Knowledge (WIQ The data shows a geneal decline in test scoes fo the Wod Knowledge (WK) component of the ASVAB fom 2003 to A decline of.98 points in the mean scoes 41

56 fom 2003 to 2009 was consideed statistically significant and the futhe decline of 1.18 points between 2009 and 2015 was statistically significant. When consideing an oveall dop of 2.16 points in the mean scoe fo the Wod Knowledge (WK) test between 2003 and 2015, this oveall decease in scoes indicates negative implications fo not only the Wod Knowledge (WK) scoe, but also fo the leical. ombat, Geneal Technical, Opeatos and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical Subject Aea (SA) scoes which ely on the Wod Knowledge (WK) subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation Mechanical ompehension (M) Mechanical ompehension Mechanical ompehension 2015 Mechanical ompehension (M) The data shows a geneal incease in test scoes fo the Mechanical ompehension (M) component of the ASVAB fom 2003 to An incease of 5.55 points in the mean scoes fom 2003 to 2009 was consideed statistically significant and a subsequent 42

57 decease of3.71 points in the mean scoe between 2009 and 2015 was also statistically significant. When consideing the an oveall incease of 1.84 points in the mean scoe fo the Mechanical ompehension (M) test between 2003 and 2015, this could indicate positive implications fo not only the Mechanical ompehension (M) scoe, but also fo the ombat, Field Atilley, Mechanical Maintenance, Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical subjects aeas scoes which ely on the Mechanical ompehension (M) subtest scoe as a facto in thei calculation. The key takeaways fom this chapte ae that the study evealed a statistically significant decline in ASVAB mean scoes in aeas of Geneal Science, and Wod Knowledge. These declines have potentially negative implications fo the Electonics, Geneal Maintenance, Skilled Technical, leical, ombat, Geneal Technical, Opeatos and Food, Suveillance and ommunications-subject aea scoes. The Aithmetic Reasoning subtest scoe showed no impovement duing the peiod studied which impacts subject aea scoes fo leical, Electonics, Field Atilley, Geneal Technical, and Suveillance and ommunications. Actual gains wee obseved in the Mechanical ompehension subtest scoes, which saw a statistically significant incease between 2003 and These gains have a diect impact on the ombat, Field Atilley. Mechanical Maintenance, Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical subject aea scoes, although the extent of the impact on those scoes is not addessed hee and should be the subject of ffitue inquiy. 43

58 Intentionally left blank 44

59 hapte 6: onclusions and Recommendations As pat of Ameica s joint fighting foce, the Amy must maintain its foce eadiness at all times to ensue the national secuity of the United States and sustain its ability to poject powe aound the globe. The inceasing technological demands equie the ecuitment of soldies who have the ability and aptitude to seve in inceasingly complex and high-tech domains acoss the span of a nomal militay caee. The Amy s eadiness is its ability to defeat, deny, o dete hybid, nea-pee theats and meet opeational domain equiements. This eadiness is diectly impacted by the Amy s ability to ecuit and etain a skilled fighting foce capable of taking on the igoous demands of today and into the foeseeable futue. This study evealed a statistically significant decline in ASVAB mean scoes in aeas of Geneal Science, and Wod Knowledge. These declines have potentially negative implications fo the Electonics, Geneal Maintenance, Skilled Technical, leical, ombat, Geneal Technical, Opeatos and Food, Suveillance and ommunications subject aea scoes. The Aithmetic Reasoning subtest scoe showed no impovement duing the peiod studied which impacts subject aea scoes fo leical, Electonics, Field Atilley, Geneal Technical, and Suveillance and ommunications. Actual gains wee obseved in the Mechanical ompehension subtest scoes, which saw a statistically significant incease between 2003 and These gains have a diect impact on the ombat, Field Atilley, Mechanical Maintenance, Opeations and Food, Suveillance and ommunications, and Skilled Technical subject aea scoes, although the extent of the impact on those scoes is not addessed hee and should be the subject of futue inquiy. 45

60 Two conclusions can be dawn fom this study. Fist, the statistically significant declines in Geneal Science, and Wod Knowledge ASVAB scoes between 2003 and 2015 do have an impact on Amy Foce Readiness. The dop in scoes means that Amy enlisted applicants who tdbk the AS VAS in 2015 had less aptitude in the specified aeas than simila ecuits in This dop in scoes impacts the aea of test scoes that ely on the subtests as a facto in thei calculation. As a esult of the lowe subtest and subject aea test scoes, a smalle pool of qualified candidates exists fom which to choose ecuits. This could mean a negative impact on Amy foce eadiness. The second conclusion to be dawn fom this study is that the ise in scoes in the aea of Mechanical ompehension means that the Amy ecuits who took the ASVAB in 2015 had a highe aptitude in this aea than simila ecuits in This means a lage pool of candidates fom which to ecuit enlisted applicants, which means a bette qualified candidate pool fom which to select AnTly enlisted applicants. This means a positive impact on foce eadiness due to a lage goup fom which to select enlisted pesonnel. Recommendations: Two ecommendations come as a esult of the eseach in this study. 1. Futhe eseach to investigate whethe the negative impact on foce eadiness caused by the lowe mean test scoes equies coective action. 2. Additional study into the emaining ASVAB Subtest aeas which wee not studied in this case, to povide a cleae pictue. 46

61 Bibliogaphy: Ameican Educational Reseach Association, Ameican Psychological Association, National ouncil on Measuement in Education. The Standads fo Educational and Psychological Testing B. Asch, B. Ovis, et al. Rand opoation. Militay Recuiting: Tends, Outlooks, and Implications Geneal Robet B. Abams. Amy Foces ommand, Statement on Readiness. Septembe 8,2016. Seth Thomhill. JAWS Thesis, Futue Autonomous Robotic Systems in the PacUic Theate U.S. Amy. Foce Readiness Guidance U.S. Amy Official ASVAB Guide. Undestanding the ASVAB. goamy.com/leamlundestanding-the-asvab.html U.S. Amy Readiness Guidance Secetay of Defense Ash ate, Foce of the Futue Speech. Mach 30, ente fo Stategic and Intenational Studies. What is the Foce of the Futue? httpsi/ United States Depatment of Defense. The Amy Guide toas VAB U.S. Depatment of Defense. Official ASVAB Infomation. Histoty oftheasvab es.htm. U.S. Depatment of Defense. ASVAB official site. U.S. Depatment of Defense. Defense Manpowe Datacente. ASVAB Raw Scoes U.S. Depatment of Defense. Joint Foces Quately. Joint Vision Summe U.S. Depatment of Defense. Foce of the Futue official website Foce-of-the-Futue 47

62 Joel Gant, Angel Vagas, Robet Holcek, aolyn Watson, Jessica Gant, and Foest Kim. Militay Medicine 177. Is the AS VAR ST omposite Scoe a Reliable Pedicto offist- Attempt Gaduation fo the US. Amy-Opeating Room Specialist ouse? Gaphpad Softwae webpage. gaphpad.com/guickcalcs/ttest I.cffi L. Kapp. ongessional Reseach Sevice. Recuiting and Retention: An Oveview of FY20]] and FY20]2 Results/b Active and Reseve omponent Enlisted Pesonnel May, Ellen Moeau. Naval Postgaduate School. Foecasting High-Tech AS VAR Scoes, Baack N. Obana. The White House. National Secuity Stategy. Washington, D national secuity stategy.pdf W.S. Sellman. NAGB, Pedicting Readiness fo Militan Sevice: How Enlistment Standads ae Established. Septembe John Welsh, Susan Kucinkas, Linda uan. Manpowe and Pesonnel Division, Books Ai Foce Base, Texas. Amed Sevies Vocational Aptitude Battey: Integated Review of Validity Studies John M. Muay Modenization Vital to Joint Foce Success. Amy Magazine 66, no. 10: Deputy Secetay of Defense Bob Wok. Speech in Bussels, Belgium. Apil 28,

63 - Appendix GENERAL SIENE Sample ASVAB Questions5 01. A magnet will attact A. wate. B. a flowe.. a cloth ag. - D.anail. 02. An eclipse of the sun thows the shadow of the A. moon on the sun. B. moon on the eath.. eath on the sun. D. eath on the moon. 03. Ai is less dense than wate because A. it is lighte. B, its molecules ae futhe apat.. -. its molecules ae close togethe. -. D. it moves moe quickly. 04. Salt helps to melt ice because it A. dissolves in wate to fom an acid. U.S. Amy ASVAB Pogam. 49

64 B. chemically destoys the wale molecules.. lowes the tempeatue at which wate feezes. D. is attacted to concete sidewalks below the ice. Q5. Substances that hasten chemical eaction time without themselves undegoing change ae called A. buffes. B. colloids.. educes. D. catalysts. ARITHMETI REASONING Q6. If 12 wokes ae needed to un 4 machines, how many wokes ae needed to un 20 machines? A.20 B D. 80 Q7. How many 36-passenge buses will it take to cay 144 people? A.3 B.4 c.5 D.6 Q8. If the tie of a ca otates at a constant speed of 552 times in one minute, how many times will the tie otate in half-an-hou? 50

65 A B... 5,520. 8,280 D. 16, A motocycle costs $7,250. If it depeciates by 12% pe yea, how much will it be woth afte one yea? A. $870 B. $1,250. $5,920 D. $6, It costs $0.50 pe squae yad to watepoof canvas. What will it cost to watepoof a canvas tuck cove that is 15 x 24? A. $6.67. B. $ $20.00 D. $ MATHEMATIS KNOWLEDGE pecent of X = 66, then X = A.33 B D The answe to this equation is: 51

66 013. If X + 6 = 7, then X is equal to A-i RU c.1 D.7/ What is the aea of this squae? t 5 Feet A. 1 squae foot B. 5 squae feet. 10 squae feet D. 25 squae feet 015. The answe to this equation is: If x y - 0, then A, x + y x2 y2 K-il 52

67 - B. B.x-y.x+2y D.2x-y WORD KNOWLEDGE 016. Small most nealy means A. study. ound.. cheap. D. little The wind is vaiable today. A. mild. B. steady.. shifting. D. chilling 018. Rudiments most nealy means A. politics. B. minute details.. pomotion oppotunities. D. basic methods and pocedues Antagonize most nealy means A. embaass. B. stuggle. 53

68 . povoke. D. woship. Q20. His ecod povides no eason fo appehension. A. anxiety. B. change.. enjoyment. D. endosement. PARAGRAPH OMPREHENSION Q21. Fom a building designe s standpoint, thee things that make a home livable ae the client, the building site, and the amount of money the client has to spend. Accoding to this statement, to make a home livable, A. the pospective piece of land makes little diffeence. B. it can be built on any piece of land.. the design must fit the ownes income and site. D. the design must fit the designe s income Twenty-five pecent of all household buglaies can be attibuted to unlocked windows o doos. ime is the esult of oppotunity plus desie. To pevent cime, it is each individual s esponsibility to A. povide the desie. B. povide the oppotunity.. pevent the desie. D. pevent the oppotunity In cetain aeas, wate is so scace that evey attempt is made to conseve it. Fo instance, on one oasis in the Sahaa Deset the amount of wate necessay fo each date palm tee has been caefully detemined. How much wate should each tee be given? 54

69 A. no wate at all. B. exactly the amount equied.. -. wate on altenate days. D. wate only if it is healthy. Q24. A thin tanspaent laye of oxide potects the metal titanium against coosion. The same thin laye attacts atists inteested in making thei at with the help of technology. By using heat o electicity, an atist can thicken the oxide laye and theeby tun the metal a ange of vivid colos. Accoding to the passage, some atists wok with titanium because it A. is tanspaent. B. does not coode.. geneates its own heat. -. D. can assume a vaiety of colos. Q25. They etuned to the beach, whee blankets spotted the slope to the wate. An advancing wall of clouds, black and gay, dakening the expanse of gound beneath, appoached fom the west. To the east and above them, the sky emained clea, the sun wam, as if collaboating in the deception. The deception efeed to in the passage is that A. thee is no stom appoaching. B. the sky is clea in the east.. it is too cold to swim. D.thesuniswam. ELETRONIS INFORMATION Q26. What does the abbeviation A stand fo? A. additional chage -. B. altenating coil. altenating cuent D. ampee cuent 55

70 Q27. Which of the following has the least esistance? A. wood B. ion. ubbe D. silve 028. In this cicuit diagam, the esistance is 100 ohms, and the cuent is 0.1 ampees. The voltage is A. 5 volts. B. 10 volts volts. D. 1,000 volts Which of the following is measued using a ohmmete? A. voltage B. esistance. inductance D. capacitance 030. Because solid state diodes have no filament, they A. don t wok. B. ae less efficient than tubes.. equie less opeaflng powe. 56

71 . D. equie moe opeating powe. AUTO AND SHOP ThJFORMATION Q31. A chisel is used fo A. pying. B. cutting.. twisting. D. ginding A ca uses too much oil when which of the following pats ae won? A. pistons B. piston ings. main beaings D. connecting ods 033. The saw shown is used mainly to cut A. plywood. B. odd-shaped holes in wood. along the gain of the wood. D. acoss the gain of the wood Whee does combustion take place? 57

72 A.3 B D. 6 Q35. The clamp shown is called a A. ba clamp B. web clamp. sping clamp D. paallel clamp MEHANIAL OMPREHENSION Q36. If gea A makes 14 evolutions, gea B will make 58

73 (1o) \- cd Lfljq np t7, nj B A. 21 B D Which post holds up the geate pat of the Ioad?/p> LOAD Iki II A.postA B.postB. both equal D. not clea 038. In this aangement of pulleys, which pulley tuns fastest? 039. In which diection does fiction act on this skie? 59

74 A. A B.B. D.D Q40. Why does the intake Qälve opèiiôfilhwpump when the piston goes down? Outlet ake losed Intake. abe Open A. Ai pessue at X is less than ai pessue at Y. B. Ai pessue at Z is less than ai pessue at X.. Ai pessue at X is geate than ai pessue at Y. D. Ai pessue at Y is geate than ai pessue at Z. 60

75 9- - I Sample ASVAB Scoe Results Soudol toll Fi:OOIFOI-I 220) 1l til Dolt U II o DO It oo,ti KMTt lot ASVAB SUMMARY RESULTS ASVAB Results 12th Gade Standad Scoe Bands Ut! OF I)NAflON to 70 amot E.plo.tlon Scon Vcm.ISSOI, I fs- S M.1Sb I Sae.ceflTedncotskth St I ASVAOTnI. - H L 9 Geptalsoea _ N4ItltRoSwwwj 43 n. WoOtttyiee Pal1v7001 omwehen-on so ii t 62 UaS ewal coksioiooede Eltcvo,wc. Ll4o01I - ic ii Au,o.ndSh fga,n.w Metoanical onl ehanuon SOillIsy SamçAFOT) 57 EXPLANAVOROF YOUR ASOAS PERESLS SORES j, l,,v,oilt,,,ltl[tl1[,11, 4,)tt,ttllo.ltfl liol-.- lli11mmhttli,,ll,loololllthol,lt,,lihtl.nl.b.oln.,00lot11tllllltl-100llt-..t,-on-l1t1.-.1.,,o,1 l11lllb0ll llll1t,llk lllil,lil lil I. nd tilt 1,11110 lit I )li4nlit Lotll,IIIg 10.01±1111 It! Illiol IltIp-IlIlt Ill IlluitlO loipti1100l tndil-ltti[-ino II dio,tlii I0 IdlIc 0111,1141 ( Illoto Ott In! 10* OtIlOt,0lI-Oltll)Illlt.11I %lnIIlvItoI-IOtIln 44I1.lIItOktIIbftItIlolOtI,It,,lI1lolltl,tvnllnlIItolIII tilt II ttl.,ti too. ill_ti }III tl,t1lltlilhi t%io to Ill! ( otint l:tplittoiiti. 0001,0. III Il-JIoltIl 4,1111 tlitiln,-iolwtoi IlotlIni. OlotlI, o,t,i SlIt-Il.! o,,l lo-ol,to.11 IlI,l V,,III,,ItIt,n,tIoTh VAflinlOno.. tiellilt 0I III.IIlItFtloI. TlwoiS-I, ( Sn I-lk-onp4,14g It 0100In-IIIAIIIII os,l.l]llt.iiinilil!onl_tliillini.il,,-]lllo 41,101 ) lt.loltvilllt(.ilt11iioio.iitd ! 70 9 ID 00 to EIPUNAYONOPYDUR ASVAbSTASOAAETEORPF VIIIIO.VSVAIIO01OIO.otvttI-tlt!t4400UlllLlII 11*tooohIl*?ktlo,jIOiIl ll,ot.ilitl,l,olitiott I,l,klltllI001hytFlo 0 SOIVo o,.o.lop,nldottknt,oillt V,luoIoloIJo,o Itt-l.,,Ino.o.ltIlnoIto till In ,0 bo to4,,t, ninpti*obi101ntii Jtno.l,on..,01..lI ,101110! to \IOnllllIt*olIl ,1 dotititbootolit, Il,. J,iIFtotlIoIttIllltttloItS.tI tont t otl,btltt liill)ttlotlolli, 0101 t.totolnta nod III ti,o.owaii bolt Il0411tI:tOII00110l ot nlyp%loltn hood to boat tt,lido 0041 illld..,ltlilti*ttol.i4 th,.tk,thpln lt.todttyol! iil,.otol,flhlillooiitoiill tolnh tiioo On o li,t tll_iidiilot0001nllo01iltyonlilcliltflltoghliolitl I I ItI,t onnhilflittdllltlilotoli bolloflitlot 1110 ±011 All S an toot II I. 001*10 It á. IIIlIltllo.lobgln),lOl.1111 toiljl*dit1100llo,t ,10 A 0 It,o:tttoIo.ltlO5lljIoOI0001lotn,004,ttllt100ttll IIOclIIIt,1IaoIlltntIolIIltt.InoIotltltob,oatIllncl lollolini 0 ma, o,41no IotlnIlIotlIlhtl,tIt n.tlll_innli pi!.o-..iiso1thi AultlooJSkbpI.hnttotIonbIotl. ToLI..sool,IOIIOI4 00dtg toll! IlIott,o ol.oi0011litctvoo1ltil Ln,ltoI oc-tototlo bibogolti A3VAS RESULTS Dl A RE ER S091.09±lioN V.ltanttoItdtoIoolitluIpIannmal ohooo,.l.-i1om i000bnot tloboo-ottdioitt. to SOttI ltb-to-ltti lcl.tttll,1l,n,r P1,0,I11I A Von.t lo)lhtoaii,i oljoc,oiloip 0,11,1 Ott It NIIII0o llt..ltlotidtiloiotntj.,i 000llLttoi&IlUIy0040tpLl0010 RoolbI ItoSO.otd Oil IIlt ctiotl limit-itt kin-allot lout onptlnopltt,liiblii, OIl! doldlp yitl010l-?o.fooiltoln,1111.ot tlt*I:ll0110lo, t1 llttonao-.o yiiio ±011±11 OIollIltltlIlItltllI1000 lodojlfltlllowlltdi I l IuOInc.lnIIflt ylos owitoilooasvadtttoolb It ,,I toot o,lli,iottntnb,, cltt100l.totriolllilm.anll ion nol 1,11.. o,ob. ott to 01é111-t.lll-.ttdJ n. t1onl,t,00,lo,lllitt ,. loot l.tolo.jl,,.ooo?0t.t,0llo,,i lb LttAtttbod l;111t,,t0itl,ot11l.oool.oo,j.,,d-_t0 It I bocd lit Lcol 0% 0 4.o II. I! Ott &*11tt Il0n 0-tftk-,01-t.ia1ltOn00- tool li. 10,0) ttoooticçotj.t-..ont Mon 100 III :1.0,410k ck4i0itti.,lloto. Ro0000o wmary enrhct SORES Eotn.t00,.Ui,o21. A I IQ Ill, titti to. on tb Itt! 0 It-ti! l lb.- 01 Ott I. *0 to JItono,Illo I,lbtlto,htnttb,I101Etlt.-ll 11ilI%.0tnj Ilnlln.ttilotl,.lt..ooI1I*Ollllbty Otottlot Soon pnat..no 10Oct01 III IoO,lJ,,,,nlt,Ul.liO,l,otl1ntlnl I l t 4 IttIIlltlt!ttRlIttlltolt U.. Act... od.: (loonlnoauflod.ndyil Acts. cod. spin.: Jul 15, 2007 Explo. c.npcnihiiiins by 0.1,0 yto Actt.. od. 1 mow,.. o.bpngatn cat, SEE YOUR OUNSELOR FOR FURTHER INFORMA LOOM Postc.pdf 61

76 Institutional Review Boad Appoval S 4V 3. 7 Southen Joint Foces Staff ollege a ampu: of the National Defen:e Univeniy 4. % 1 75*3 HamptocBaala-x&Nofol VA Decem!& M. Mak Hoovex :oim Fozes 32ff ozege 7S-3O Hzi cc BcuI v,zi Noffok Vwtza Dea!b& Hoove: This Leu& s to infmm tu that :.Da 33 apphz&cthe c;ec1 enhled 11E UPS A2W DOWNS OF ASVAB: FLUTUATION OF ARMED SERVES VOATIONAL APTiTUDE BAiTERY SORES AND BIPUAEONS FOR FORE PIAD2TSS OF THE U S. ARMY7 has beet eviewed azii ecettt 23 ajpovai YQ3 may now coen:e vow eseaxth anii daia cdllecton xtvtes. As ou cothic vow eeach W3 eaues ten voa cosmue to foflow ttwocediusvou have o-sthted m you zdicaüon fvou need to iake ssñ:m cbnes to you :eseath poject. please uoffv you zthnscc an D EinSeO &tat in the Itsnmoai Reseach. Assessment. aniacceduahoti Dznsou Lt4D at JF3 :i hc!th1n cv 1E ethi o h4z.. 61P5. livouhave antquewntease ec mekow. Good -k w1±votwok Stceeiv. - F i-li, S. S. ElizaSeth Hoaa (hea.. td Academic Spebahit YAAD 52

77 VITA Mak. Hoove is an employee of the U.S. Depatment of State and is a aee Membe of the Foeign Sevice of the United States. His duties have taken him to South Ameica, the Middle-East, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, Switzeland, and elsewhee aound the globe. Mak holds degees in the social sciences, business, and education, is the ecipient of vaious U.S. Depatment of State awads and honos, and has been ecognized by the United States Attoney s Office fo his wok in combatting teoist financing. 63