AN ATTEMPT TO PREDICT PROBABLE COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS BY BRIEF PSYCHIATRIC EXAMINATION

One hundred and forty-six replacements to rifle companies were given a brief psychiatric evaluation prior to participation in combat duty. An arbitrary method of scoring divided the men into 4 groups in an effort to predict their combat effectiveness. An adequate control group of a similar group of men who were not examined was included. The examined and control groups participated in 5 combat periods, three of the offensive type and two of a defensive nature. A careful follow-up study of the individual performance in combat was accomplished. The results indicate that a moderate degree of success can be obtained by such a method. Analysis of results also demonstrated that the previous civilian performance of the individual is the most accurate prognostic indicator of his combat effectiveness. It is suggested that such a method would be of value as an aid to the screening of men for hazardous combat duties.