Importance of Psychomotor Abilities for First-Term Navy Enlisted Performance

Abstract : This study examined the importance of nine psychomotor abilities for predicting first-term Navy performance. Two Navy 'A' school training instructors from each of 19 ratings completed a questionnaire regarding the importance of various psychomotor and Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) related abilities. Results indicated that five psychomotor abilities (multilimb coordination, control precision, arm hand steadiness, manual dexterity, finger dexterity) were rated as being important for first-term performance, with multilimb coordination and control precision rated as most important. Tasks performed by first-term Navy personnel requiring psychomotor abilities were indentified, Finally, Navy ratings having the greatest psychomotor ability requirements were identified. Keywords: Personnel testing; Psychomotor abilities; Personnel selection; Navy enlisted performance; Ratings.