Selection of army personnel : development of the DSP / Charles S. Myers.

  • Myers, Charles S. (Charles Samuel), 1873-1946.
Date:
1942?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Selection of army personnel : development of the DSP / Charles S. Myers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of those chosen had been teachers in civil life and were trained by a staff of commissioned officers who were qualified and experienced in vocational psychology. The next step was to introduce a well-tried non-verbal test of intelligence at the recruiting centres. By January, 1942, 85% of all intakes were receiving this test in a shortened form ; and by March every recruit for the Army (save in Northern Ireland), man or woman, was being thus tested. A card was prepared for each recruit on which all information about him that related to personnel problems was entered, and the Hollerith system was adopted for future analysis of the data thus recorded. A “job analysis” of the numerous occupa¬ tions in the Army was also begun, the special mental and physical qualities being systematically ascertained which were required by each. Towards the end of 1941, an experiment was begun of using an extended selection procedure in training regiments. Here men underwent tests which assessed mainly clerical, mechanical and signalling aptitudes, and also took a verbal test of intelligence. The recruits filled up a form giving their past educational and other histories, interests and hobbies ; and they were sym¬ pathetically interviewed by commissioned (usually regimental) officers who had been already trained for this important work. Recruits of undesirably low intelligence or of doubtfully adequate mental stability were referred by these interviewing officers to the local Army psychia¬ trist. The job analysis of Army occupations made it possible to recommend each recruit, thus tested, inter¬ viewed, and considered in the light of his past education and employment and of his present interests and hobbies, for suitable employment in his arm. Potential “ trades¬ men ” and men clearly better suited to other arms were able to be transferred early in their Army careers. This small experiment proved so encouraging that the work was gradually expanded. It was succeeded in May, 1942, by a small try out of the present general service procedure in 10 units. The decision was now made to allocate all recruits at the recruiting centres to a General Service corps, and to establish primary training centres throughout the country to which they would be directly sent before allocation to any arm of the Service. These important changes came into force in July. Many additional officers, commissioned and non¬ commissioned, were needed by the rapidly expanding DSP. The non-verbal test of intelligence was still given at the recruiting centres, in order that units linked to those arms which required the personnel of highest intelligence should have a selected intake and so reduce troop movements when they were posted. Soon after, command personnel selection officers, each provided with NCO and clerical assistance, were appointed for local supervisory duty. * * * In the selection of officers—another branch of the DSP's work—the psychiatrists have played a more dominant r61e than the psychologists. For here there