Infantry Training Battalion: a predictive model for success under female integration
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Authors
Dove, John M.
Richmond, Brian A.
Subjects
United States Marine Corps
infantry
infantry training battalion
logistic regression
multinomial logistic regression
Military Occupational Specialty Specific Physical Standards (MSPS)
infantry
infantry training battalion
logistic regression
multinomial logistic regression
Military Occupational Specialty Specific Physical Standards (MSPS)
Advisors
Bacolod, Marigee
Date of Issue
2017-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
In January 2016, the Department of Defense lifted restrictions barring women from serving in infantry units. However, since then, there have been very few women who have successfully completed the Marine Corps' Infantry Training Battalion (ITB). These low graduation rates, coupled with the Commandant's mandate that the Marine Corps institute a diversity goal of 10% female from its current 7 to 8%, raise concerns that the Marine Corps will drop training standards to meet the new manning goals. Rather than focus on standards, this study conducts a quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify key predictors of success and failure of enlisted Marines, both men and women, training at ITB East and West. The goal is to help Marine Corps leadership identify Marines who are most likely to graduate, thereby increasing graduation rates without having to drop any standards. We estimate logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression models using data from Marine Corps' Total Force Data Warehouse and class data from ITB West. Estimates from these models suggest that physical and cognitive ability are, by far, the greatest predictors of success. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, given the nature of the training at ITB, we find that physical performance and physical health make up the preponderance, almost 80%, of failures at ITB. Specifically, the Military Occupational Specialty Specific Physical Standards (MSPS) account for more than 50% of the ITB failures. The significance of these results suggests that Marine leadership should place a premium on readiness for the MSPS and overall physical health prior to sending Marines to ITB.
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.