The third volume of the Conservation of Human Resources study of "The Ineffective Soldier" provides an overview of the entire work and develops new and deeper levels of analysis for understanding the performance of men in war and peace. The unusual interdisciplinary team, consisting of economists, psychiatrists, psychologists, government officials, sociologists, and statisticians, makes full use in this volume of the rich statistical materials, the case records, and other special information made available to the Project both by governmental agencies and the men themselves. Thus, the significance of the study lies in a series of levels: for public policy, the avoidance of manpower waste; for the military, specific manpower utilization. For business, the implications are manifold, involving many aspects of selection, placement, training, and discipline. The study also represents a major contribution to the advancement of ideas in the social and psychological disciplines. Accepted theories about personality and performance are tested against the comprehensive data, and new theories are developed on the basis of these new facts.

Published by the Columbia University Conservation of Human Resources Project.

Foreword / Howard McC. Snyder ; Part I: The study of performance. Why study the ineffective soldier? -- The design of the study -- Facets of performance ; Part II: Breakdown in the Army. Varieties of ineffectiveness -- Performance of ineffective soldiers -- Background characteristics -- Management policies and procedures -- Reducing ineffectiveness ; Part III: Civilian readjustment. The process of readjustment -- Successful and unsuccessful readjustment ; Part IV: Performance patterns. Life patterns of performance -- Successful and unsuccessful life performance patterns ; Part V: Policy. Personality and performance -- The management of men ; The lesson ; Appendix.