The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) and its contractor Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, Inc. (PDRI) have been conducting research to validate the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Skills Inventory (NLSI) as a predictor of Drill Sergeant performance. The NLSI measures skills and abilities related to NCO performance, including work orientation, interpersonal skills, and leadership capability. The overall goal is to expand the NLSI into a Noncommissioned Officer classification test to identify high potential soldiers at the E-4/5/6 levels for several occupational specialties, including Drill Sergeants. The research conducted for this study consisted of a preliminary, small-sample validation of the current NLSI as a predictor of Drill Sergeant success as measured by performance ratings. Results indicate that the NLSI demonstrates preliminary, statistically significant predictive validity for Drill Sergeants. Further, this research supports the use of the NLSI as an operational test for NCO MOSs and duty assignments beyond recruiter. Future research should also guide potential refinement of the NLSI as a classification tool for multiple Army NCO positions.
