Prototype Procedures to Describe Army Jobs

Abstract

Descriptions of Army jobs or Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) provide the foundation for Army personnel management, from entry-level selection and classification to training and performance management. However, existing job analysis approaches used in the Army have a number of limitations. This project represents the first step in a longterm research roadmap intended to address this issue (Campbell et al., 2007). The purpose of this project was to develop and field test a new prototype job analysis approach, customized to the Army, for describing entry-level enlisted jobs. Questionnaires measuring work and worker-oriented domains were developed and administered online to incumbents and supervisors in six MOS (N = 1,390): (a) Infantryman (11B), (b) Armor Crewman (19K), (c) Signal Support Specialist (25U), (d) Light-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic (63B), (e) Military Police (31B), and (f) Motor Transport Operator (88M). The results of the field test demonstrated that the questionnaires evidenced sufficient reliability and validity for describing enlisted jobs and feature a method that could be easily expanded Army-wide and at a reasonable cost. The report concludes with a summary of lessons learned from the field test and discussion of ways in which future research can enhance and extend the prototype approach.