The utility of the Myers-Briggs type indicator and the strong interest inventory in predicting service community selection at the United States Naval Academy

Abstract

This study provides information for those individuals responsible for guiding midshipmen's choice of naval service community. This research is focused on individuals who received their first community choice. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator results and career and technical interest measures based on the Strong Interest Inventory from the Naval Academy classes of 1998-2001 were analyzed using discriminant analysis. This project was designed to provide company officers with the information needed to counsel midshipmen about the service communities available following graduation from the United States Naval Academy. The analysis demonstrates that while personality type, as measured by the Myers -Briggs, does affect the likelihood that an individual will select a particular community, other demographic information such as academic major, SAT scores, and Order of Merit have a much greater effect. The Career and Technical interest measures used by the Naval Academy's Admissions Board were found to have very little effect on community selection.