A Psychometric Examination of Mission Essential Competency (MEC) Measures Used in Air Force Distributed Mission Operations Training Needs Analysis

1-4338-1621-0

Abstract

The Mission Essential Competency (MEC) approach to work and training needs analysis has been the focus of a multiyear research project of the United States Air Force. This article was written with the specific goal of reviewing the psychometric characteristics of the various measures that are used in this process. Using extensive survey data from different target populations, we show that the MEC measures are reliable and perform in a way that valid measures would be expected to perform, such as demonstrating appropriate expert/novice differences, expected relationships between general competencies and MECs, and reasonable relationships between job tenure and knowledge/skill.

• competency-based assessment
• competency-based training
• proficiency-based training
• mission essential competencies
• competency assessment

Notes

1 “DMO is a shared training environment comprised of live, virtual, and constructive simulations allowing warfighters to train individually or collectively at all levels of war. DMO allows multiple players at multiple sites to engage in training scenarios ranging from individual and team participation to full theater-level battles. It allows participation, using almost any type of networkable training device, from each weapon system and mission area. Additionally, computer-generated, or constructive, forces can be used to substantially enhance the scenario. This combination of live, virtual, and constructive environments allows nearly unlimited training opportunities for joint and combined forces from their own location or a deployed training site” ( AFRL, 2005).