Improving the selection of candidates for Royal Marine recruit training by the use of a combination of performance tests.

Candidates who wish to undertake Royal Marine recruit training, a physically strenuous course which now extends 32 weeks, must first of all successfully complete a Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA) and four psychomotor tests (Naval Recruiting Tests or RTs) before attending a three-day selection course at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, where their physical capabilities are tested to the full. The effectiveness of these procedures was untested until the Institute of Naval Medicine conducted a retrospective study during 1999-2000 from which the present study is taken. Data from 1232 recruits were examined to explore the relationship between the outcome of Commando training (pass or fail) with these various selection measures. Estimated aerobic power, time to complete the assault course and age were associated with outcome, as were PQA, RTs 1, 3, 4 and total RT score. A regression equation comprising aerobic fitness, assault course time, RT4 and age gave the best overall prediction of outcome (64%). It is suggested that this mathematical approach provides a scientifically valid and objective assessment tool for future selection strategies.