Bridging the Gap between Reduced Training Time and Maintained Operational Demands

As a consequence of decreased defense budgets, the training time of conscript combat boat 90 operators has recently been reduced. The effect has been an increased number of drop–outs, detachments, and accidents during the training. The need to improve this precarious situation is urgent. This encouraged a study with the purpose of measuring abilities identified as important for being successful in the training, and hence a high-performing and safe combat boat 90 operator. The objective was to improve the selection process in order to minimize drop–outs, detachments, and accidents during the training. The test battery consisted of psychometric tests measuring spatial and verbal working memory, problem solving ability, risk willingness, and social capacity. The results of the psychometric tests were compared with instructor ratings of performance during the training. The only test that showed to reliably predict a successful combat boat 90 operator was the test that measured verbal working memory.