Armored 
Medical Research Laboratory 
Knox , Kc ntuckv 
Final Report On 
PROJECT NO. 8 - Preselection Tests 
Project No. 8 
17 March 1945 ARMORED MEDICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY 
Fort Knox, Kentucky 
Project Noo 8 
SPMEA 220.105 
17 March 1945 
1, PROJECT MO. 8 - Preselection Tests„ Final Report. 
a, Authority: First Indorsement dated 26 November 1942, by Command- 
ing General, Headquarters Armored Force, Fort Knox, Kentucky, 400.112/6 GNOHD, 
to Letter Armored Force Medical Research Laboratory dated 10 November 1942. 
b. Purpose; (l) To define the requisite qualifications of inductees 
assigned for training as tank crewmen; and (2) to determine the extent to which 
one increment of inductees arriving at the Armored Replacement Training Center 
measures up to these qualifications. 
2, DISCUSSION: 
a. Tanks are among the most highly specialized weapons of this war. 
Their effectiveness as a striking force in combat, against the combined 
hazards of enemy opposition and terrain, requires a high order of competence 
on the part of the crew. The high initial cost of tanks, plus the expense 
and effort necessary to keep them supplied and repaired in the theatre empha- 
sizes the need for tank personnel of ability ana intelligence. Tanks are 
never more effective than the men operating them. 
b. By the nature of their structural and operating characteristics, 
armored vehicles impose a requirement for certain specific qualifications on 
the crew members. These may be grouped under the following headings: 
intelligence. size. vision, are. and physical and psychologic status. 
c. Training at the Armored Replacement Training Center is accomplish- 
ed with a limited number of cadremen and vehicles. The rate and thoroughness 
of instruction becomes automatically pitched at the level of the least compe- 
tent troops both physically and mentally. Every individual who fails to com- 
plete the training as a potentially effective tank soldier contributes to the 
waste of training facilities. The ARTC does eliminate the poorest individuals 
progressively in the course of training. 
do In order to evaluate the caliber of tne inductees arriving at the 
Armored Replacement Training Center, one entire increment of 60S men was exam- 
ined on its arrival at Classification during the week of 9 October 1944« This 
report presents the methods and rationale of the examination, and the informa- 
tion obtained. 
e. Adequate studies are not available for proper validation of any 
preselection standard for armored troops. Consequently, general experience and 
judgment must be relied on in great part for studies of this type. 
1 3« CONCLUSIONS: 
a. Men are feeing received at the Armored Replacement Training Center 
whose Qualifications for the most part are not up to standards judged necessary 
for effective tank operation. This is regarded as a partial explanation of the 
frequency of vehicle failures, and of the habitual failure of many men to satis- 
factorily complete the course of training. 
bo The qualifications of tank crewmen established for this study were: 
Age - 30 or under (alternately 25 or under) 
AGCT - 90 or above (or alternately 80 or above) 
Height - 5*3” to 5’ll" inclusive 
Weight - 110 to 185 lbs. inclusive 
Physical Profile - 2-1-1-1-1-1 or above 
Vision - 
(1) Acuity in each eye of at least 20/60 
(2) Astigmatism in no more than 2 meridians of either eye 
(3) Normal color vision 
(4) No glasses 
Co On the basis of these qualifications, with the age limit at 30, 
only 17ol$ of the 608 men examined are acceptable for training as armored troops. 
If the age limit is placed at 25, as few as 7o8% are acceptable, Howevdr, lower- 
ing the ACCT standard to 80, while maintaining the age limit at 30, results in 
the acceptability of 24o6% of this increment. 
d. Psychologic inadequacy, night vision, recovery from glare, and 
identification of preferential eye were not tested because of limitations in 
time and equipment. 
4o RECOMMENDATIONS: 
a. That only those men who have the physical and mental qualifications 
of tank crewmen, as outlined above, be accepted for training as tank crewmen. 
b. That consideration be given to reclassification of men after the 
sixth week of training at which time the reprofile status as well as performance 
evaluations by company commanders become available to provide additional bases 
for eliminating those likely to do poorly in tank driving and gunnery. 
NOTE: 
Comments by Headquarters Armored Center with reference to this project are 
contained in the following indorsement. 
2 P-8 (13 Mar 45) GNREA 1st Ind. 
HQ ARMD CENTER, Fort Knox, Kentucky, 16 March 1945 
TO: Dir, Armd Med Res Lab, Fort Knox, Kentucky» 
1, This is an interesting and valuable report® It is believed that 
it correctly defines the requisite qualifications desirable in inductees 
assigned for training as tank crewmen„ 
20 However, if the matter is considered from the point of view of 
the whole Array rather than for just one arm, it becomes apparent that the 
majority of the physical and mental requisites set forth herein for tank 
crewmen are equally desirable in infantry and in other arras. Therefore, 
in the effort to establish a high qualification or an ideal qualification 
for personnel of one arm, the question always arises if such a policy 
isn’t a detriment to other arms of equal importance. 
3. As I understand the situation today, both the air corps and the 
navy set up higher physical and mental requisites for personnel and, thus, 
secure a higher class of personnel than does our ground armyQ Studies and 
tests such as this serve a very useful purpose since it can be shown that 
our Ground Forces are equally in need of the same class personnel 
1 Incl. n/co 
(AMRL Proj #8) 
/s/ C. L. Scott 
C. L„ SCOTT 
Major General, U8 S„ Army 
Commanding 
Prepared by: 
Arthur Freedman, Captain, MC 
with the assistance of 
Charles Kirkpatrick, Tec 4 
APPROVED BY_ 
WILLARD MACHLE 
Colonel, Medical Corps 
Co/iimanding 
3 IncIso 
Appendices I, II & III APPENDIX I 
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT CF QUALIFICATIONS FOR 
ARMORED TROOPS 
The men received at the Center are directed there to some extent on the 
basis of their profile classification. Varying with each increment, approxi- 
mately one third (l/3) have top profile ratings and the other two thirds (2/3) 
somewhat below this. At the Center, separation of the arrivals into two (2) 
major groups is made, for assignment to tank training and to specialist schools. 
The latter group is chosen at present because of lower leadership, intelligence, 
and physique. The former group includes as many men as possible with civilian 
driving experience. In this group the further effort is made to identify both 
potential leaders and those men who are likely to require special attention. 
Interviews at the Classification Office provide the basis for these allocations. 
A more precise method of selection, based on an evaluation of the fundamen- 
tal qualifications required of successful tank crewmen is presented in this 
report. It is predicated on the assumption that only men with the attributes 
suitable for armored personnel should be sent to this Post for training. If 
this be accomplished, then proper allocation of the men after their arrival can 
readily be achieved. 
The following paragraphs discuss the various physical and mental character- 
istics regarded as desirable if not essential to the effectiveness of tank 
personnel. 
I, AGCT: 
The operation of a tank without accidents and failures demands a degree 
of intelligence above the average. The motor, suspension system, gun and con- 
trols, and radio are of intricate design. Their continued function necessitates 
the avoidance of misuse, and their successful integration as a formidable weapon 
demands skill and judgment. Men of low intelligence cannot achieve the under- 
standing necessary for this in the short training period available, nor is it 
likely that even with longer training they attain a high order of competence. 
At present the AGCT scores of the men arriving at the Armored Replace- 
ment Training Center average 95, and there are many men who have scores below 
75. Sven should these low scores represent only language difficulty, yet with- 
out the ability to comprehend written instruction, a tank crewman cannot do well. 
Accordingly, a certain minimum AGCT score appears desirable for armored personnel. 
Were the choice of men unlimited this minimum should be placed at least at 90; 
however, it may prove expedient at present to accept men with scores as low as 
SO, though certainly not lower. Such a requirement is not high compared to the 
minimum AGCT score of 100 for assignment to training on the less intricate stereo- 
height finder in the antiaircraft command. 
2. Physical Profile: 
The physical profile serial number as stated in MR 1-9 which is optimum 
for combat duty and strenuous activity is 2-1-1-1-1-1. Each of these numbers 
Appendix I represents a factor in general fitness: 
a. The first number is intended to classify individuals with regard 
to a number of important qualifications. They are: height, age, weight, build, 
strength, stamina, agility, energy, and muscular coordination. Since all of 
these are of prime importance to tank crewmen, the limits in this category 
should be specially defined for armored personnel, the general service standards 
being more liberal than those desirable for armor. 
(l) Height and Weight: The interior dimensions of tanks impose 
important limitations on the size of crew members. If too 
large, men cannot pass the hatchways readily for either 
entrance or escape. When the tank is buttoned up, the 
limited seat to roof height may force tall men to sit in a 
cramped position, a distinct hindrance to gunners and drivers. 
Excessive size is equally unsatisfactory for the manipulation 
of turret controls and for following the telescope downward 
when the gun is elevated. In some tanks tall gunners have been 
obliged to manipulate traverse and elevating wheels by crossing 
their arms. Tall or broad-shouldered gunners have insufficient 
room between the gun breech and the turret wall, and large 
loaders are slaved down when their tanks are fully stowed, Men 
who are too short have difficulty as drivers in reaching clutch 
pedals, and as gunners in keeping their feet securely braced 
on the floor when the seat is in the up-position. Moreover, 
men who are severely underweight do not possess sufficient 
stamina for protracted tank duties. In view of these consider- 
ations it seems advisable to stipulate the height limits for 
tankers as between 5'3n and 5’ll" and the weight limits as 
between 110 and 185 lbs., both inclusive. 
(2) Age: E xperience indicates that younger men perform more satis- 
factorily in tanks. The actual age limit cannot be properly 
defined without an analysis of the percentages of non-battle 
ineffectives by age group. For this study the men were classi- 
fied on the basis of age limits at 30 years and also at 25 years. 
Other studies at the laboratory suggest that physical fitness 
for some types of exercise is greater without training for men 
up to 25 years of age, but can be achieved with training by men 
up to 30 years of age, while beyond this age, the level of 
achievement is less. It may not be inferred, however, that 
physical fitness as measured by the standard exercise tests, 
may be used as a complete criterion of performance in tanks. 
b. The second and third numerals pertain to the upper and lower ex- 
tremities respectively, a score of ”1” indicating the absence of bone, muscle, 
and joint defects. 
c. The fourth numeral evaluates the hearing. Because earphones must 
be used in tanks in the presence of a high general noise level, hearing in the 
conversational range should be unimpaired, and a rating of "I" required0 
Appendix I d, Vision is rated by the fifth numeral in the series. It was 
specially examined in the tests being reported, and will be discussed in detail 
below. 
e. The final profile serial number describes the neuropsychiatric 
status. It is obvious that only emotionally stable individuals with a rating 
of "I" are suitable as tank personnel. 
3. The Wearing of Glasses: 
At present no restriction is placed on the use of glasses by armored 
troops. Yet inside tanks they interfere with the use of periscopes and tele- 
scopes; they are subject to breakage; and the likelihood of eye injury, when 
glasses are broken by flying fragments in combat, is increased. For these 
reasons the wearing of glasses inside tanks should be prohibited. The vision 
standards outlined in the next paragraph are such as to admit some individuals 
with moderate opthalmic defects to tank training without the use of their glasses 
inside tanks0 
4. Vision; 
The Army general service standard for vision is described in terms of 
visual acuity only, and a profile serial number of ”ln indicates vision of 20/200, 
correctible to 20/40, The visual tasks required of armored troops are recognition 
of targets and range estimation at distance, reading of dials, (azimuth indicator, 
gun quadrant, driver1s panel), definition of reticle patterns, and reading of maps 
and of printed instruction material. These take in the entire range of visual 
performance, demanding a high order of ability at both far and near. Obviously 
20/200 vision is insufficient. Accordingly, an arbitrary limit was set for the 
purpose of this study of at least 20/60 in either eye, with the added permission 
of astigmatism in 2 meridians in either eye, but with normal color vision required. 
The need for normal color vision has not been validated, however. 
These requirements are liberal, perhaps excessively so. By comparison, 
20/20 vision is demanded for all air personnel, in the navy, and for training on 
stereo-height finders in the antiaircraft command. 
Phoria defects and stereopsis failures were examined for in this study. 
However, such defects were never found to exist except in the presence of other 
defects in acuity, astigmatism, or obvious strabismus. Accordingly, it is felt 
that requirements in terms of acuity, astigmatism, and color vision sufficiently 
express the needs of armored troops. These attributes may be rapidly examined 
for, either with the Keystone r,TelebinocularM which was used for this study or 
with the Bausch and Lomb "Crthcrater”, 
5c Other Selection Standards: 
Because of lack of time and equipment, night vision, glare recovery, 
time, and identification of the preferential eye (important in the use of the 
telescope by gunners) were not examined on this group of men. They all have a 
bearing on the effectiveness of tank crewmen, and should be considered for 
Appendix I inclusion in preselection tests. Muscle coordination and facility in the use 
of mechanical equipment are similarly important, but tests for these attributes 
are difficult to administer and interpret. Observation by watchful instructors 
in the course of training can effectively evaluate such characteristics. 
6. Summary: 
The foregoing in effect describes a possible revision of the physical 
profile for armored personnel. In summary it may be stated as follows: 
P - Fhysical Capacity - Ability to. perform sustained effort, age not 
over 30, height 5*3" to 5’ll", inclusive, weight 110 to 185 lbs, inclusive, 
and muscular coordination, 
U - Upper Extremities - Bones, joints, and muscles normal. 
L - Lower Extremities - Bones, joints, and muscles normal. 
H - Hearing - 15/15 in one ear, and 8/15 or better in the other, 
E - Vision - Acuity of not less than 20/60 in either eye; astigmatism 
in no more than 2 meridians in either eye; normal color vision; no glasses. 
S - Neuropsychiatric - Emotionally stable, and in addition: — 
Intelligence - AGCT preferably over 90, but in no case under 80. 
Appendix I APPENDIX II 
STUDY OF PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF ARTC TRAINEES 
The results of the study of one entire increment of 60S trainees at the 
Classification Office of the ARTC during the week of 9 October 1944 are given 
below* The records of the men are analyzed in accordance with the standards 
outlined in the preceding section* 
Information with regard to age, AGCT, height, and weight was obtained 
from the form 20 of each manc Vision data were obtained by administering 
to each individual the standard Keystone "Telebinocular” tests for acuity, 
astigmatism, heterophoria, and stereopsis* Color vision was tested with a 
selected group of Ishihara confusion color plates as published by the American 
Optical Company* This is only a gross exclusion test, but was deemed adequate 
for the present purpose* 
Table 1 presents a summary of the entire examination of the increment 
to indicate the number and percent of men suitable for training* Table 2 
is a presentation of the frequency of disqualifying attributes of these men. 
Table 3 indicates the extent to which the co-existence of more than one 
defect in many subjects influences the selection of acceptable trainees* 
TABLE 1 
ACCEPTABLE TRAINEES AMONG 60S MEN OF ONE INCREMENT 
Number 
Percent 
Remarks 
48 
7,3 
Age 25 or less, 
height, weight. 
AGOT 90 or above, proper 
vision and physical profile* 
104 
i7 a 
Age 30 or less 
height, weight. 
, AGCT 90 or above, proper 
vision, and physical profile* 
150 
24,6 
Age 30 or less, 
height, weight. 
AGCT 80 or above, proper 
vision, and physical profile. 
Appendix II 
1 TABLE 2 
ANALYSIS OF DEFECTS AMONG TRAINEES AT THE ARTC 
Number 
Percent of 
Total Defects 
Type of Disqualifying Attributes 
263 
2?oS 
Below physical profile 2-1-1-1-1-1 
40 
4o2 
Weight below 110 lbs0 or above 185 lbsp 
65 
6.9 
Height below 5*3" or above 58Hh 
242 
25.6 
A GOT below 90 
196 
21c8 
A GOT below 80 
161 
17 o0 
Age above 25 
105 
Ho 8 
Age above 30 
21 
202 
Visual acuity below 20/60 in either eye 
52 
5o5 
Astigmatism in more than 2 meridians 
65 
6c9 
in either eye 
Additional men with co-existent visual 
30 
3o2 
acuity and astigmatic defects 
Faulty color vision without other 
5 
o5 
vision defects 
Other visual defects 
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DISQUALIFYING ATTRIBUTES AMONG 608 MEN IS: 
946 - When upper age limit is 25 years and lower AGCT limit is 90 
845 ~ When upper age limit is 30 years and lower AGCT limit is 80 
Appendix II TABLE 3 
ANALYSIS OF THE ATTRIBUTES OF ONE INCREMENT OF TRAINEES ARRANGED TO 
INDICATE THE CO-EXISTENCE OF MORE THAN ONE DEFECT IN MANY INDIVIDUALS 
Number 
Percent 
• 
48 
7.8 
Age 25 or less* AGOT 90 or above, proper height, 
weight, vision, and physical profile 
161 
26 A 
Over Age 25 - 
• otherwise passing 
33 5o4% - 
23 3o7 - 
105 17*2 - 
• Age 26 - 30 
• Age 26 - 30 - with other minor defects 
■ Age 26 - 38 - with other major defects 
201 
33 o0 
Under Age 26 
- AGOT under ?0 
TuT 
8 1<>3 
29 4*7 
26 4o2 
129 2102 
- AGCT 85 - 89 
- AGCT 80-84 
- AGCT 80 - 89 - with other minor defects 
- AGCT less than 80 
- AGCT less than 90 - with other major defects 
35 
5o7 
Under Age 26 
- AGCT over 90, but too tall or too short 
~ii Dr 
24 3*9 
- Defects of height only 
- Defects of height plus other defects 
22 
3«6 
Under Age 26 
- AGCT over 90, proper height, but over- 
weight or underweight 
0 loOJJ - V/eight over 185 or under 110 
16 206 - Weight over 185 or under 110 - plus 
other defects 
95 
15*6 
Under Age 26 
- AGCT over 90, proper height and weight, 
but deficient as to profile—below 2-1-1-1-1-1 
6 lo0% 
2 o3 
17 207 
5 08 
18 209 
1 02 
1 o2 
45 7o4 
- 1-1-2-1-1-1 only 
- 1-2-1-1-1-1 " 
- 2-1-2-1-1-1 " 
- 2—2-2-1-1-1 " 
- 3-1-1-1-1-1 H 
- 3-1-2-1-1-1 « 
- 3-1-3-1-1-1 " 
- Below 2-1-1-2-1-1 with other major defects 
46 
7c5 
Under Age 26 
- AGCT over 90, proper height, weight and 
profile, but with defective vision, without glasses 
3 5% 
8 lo3 
3 o5 
5 08 
27 4.4 
- Acuity defects 
- Astigmatic defects 
- Stereopsis defects 
- Color defects 
- Multiple visual defects 
Appendix II 
3 In the following three (3) tables are given more complete analyses of 
Vision Examinations performed on the men in this studya As previously men- 
tioned, these tests were administered with the Keystone "Telebinocular” 
equipmento Table 4 presents the distribution of visual acuity. Table $ of 
astigmatism. Table 6 of Color vision, while Table 7 is a composite analysis 
of the visual defects of all men whose acuity is below 20/60 in either eye, 
or who have astigmatism in more than 2 meridians in either eye, or who are 
color blindo It is noted in Table 7 that for vision defects alone, below 
the standard established, of the men are excluded0 
TABLE 4 
VISUAL ACUITY OF ONE INCREMENT OF ARTC INDUCTEES 
Snellen Ratings of 
Right Eye 
Left Eye 
Acuity without Glasses 
No 0 
% 
No, 
* 
20/10 
4 
0o7 
4 
0o7 
20/12 
10? 
17.6 
110 
18ol 
20/20 
283 
46.5 
283 
46.5 
20/33 
76 
12o5 
75 
12*3 
20/45 
64 
10 0 5 
39 
604 
20/60 
25 
4ol 
47 
7o7 
20/75 
18 
3o0 
18 
3o0 
20/200 
6 
loO 
8 
lo3 
20/122 
4 
0o7 
4 
c7 
20A50 
8 
1«3 
2 
o4 
20/200 
4 
0o7 
4 
o7 
Less than 20/200 
9 
1«5 
14 
2*3 
Total 
608 
100ol 
608 
lOOol 
Appendix II TABLE 5 
ASTIGMATISM IN ONE INCREMENT OF ARTC INDUCTEES 
Right Eye 
Left Eye 
Astigmatism 
No* 
% 
No0 
No defect 
448 
73.7 
448 
73o7 
Defect 
in 1 
Meridian 
48 
7*9 
52 
8.5 
H 
in 2 
Meridians 
39 
6*4 
42 
6.9 
M 
in 3 
n 
32 
5c3 
32 
5o3 
M 
in 4 
tt 
17 
icd 
9 
1.5 
It 
in 5 
it 
6 
loO 
4 
0.7 
tl 
in 6 
n 
20 
3o3 
a 
3o5 
Total 
608 
99 o4 
608 
100ol 
TABLE 6 
COLOR BLINDNESS IN ONE INCREMENT OF ARTC INDUCTEES 
Number 
Percent 
No color blindness 
568 
93 o4 
Color blind 
40 
606 
Total 
608 
100o0 
The separate analyses for heterophoria, heterotropia, and failure of 
stereopsis are omitted inasmuch as these defects were found only in those 
men in whom marked ametropia was also present0 Consequently binocular 
visual defects probably do not have to be tested since simpler exclusion 
tests seem to serve satisfactorily0 Hie rare exception to this lies in the 
occasional instance of monocular suppression of the visual image which, 
however, is usually associated with obvious squint. 
Appendix II 
5 TABLE 7 
NATURE OF UNACCEPTABLE VISION DEFECTS AMONG 60S INDUCTEES AT ARTC 
ON THE BASIS OF STANDARDS DESCRIBED ABOVE 
Acuity defects alone . , . , . . . . * . . 
Acuity defects plus astigmatism , . . , # 
Acuity defects plus fusion failure , . 
Acuity defects plus color blindness 0 <, . . , , 0 . . 
Acuity defects plus astigmatism, plus fusion failure e 
o o • $ 
Acuity defects plus astigmatism, plus color blindness 
* . . 3 
Astigmatism alone 0 # . . . 
o o e 
Astigmatism plus fusion failure 
• o • 2 
Astigmatism plus color blindness . , , , 0 , 0 . , . . 
» . • 3 
Color blindness alone, 
Total 
134 - 22% 
Appendix II APPENDIX III 
ADDITIONAL DATA OK RESULTS OF REPRCFILE EXAMINATIONS 
At the termination of their sixth week of basic training, trainees at the 
ARTC are reprofiled. Reprofile records were accordingly obtained for the group 
of men examined at Classification during the week of 9 October 1944, who were 
the subjects of this study. 
TABLE 10 
SULLARI OF 1RCFILE STATUS OF MSN 
FOLLOWING RE-EXAMINATION AFTER 6 WEEKS TRAINING 
No. of men 
Percent 
Profile No. raised to 2-1-1-1-1-1 or above 
No change in Profile No, previously 2-1-1-1-1-1 
153 
or above 
222 
382 
71 o4 
Profile No. lowered below 2-1-1-1-1-1 
Profile No, unchanged from previous level 
51 
below 2-1-1-1-1-1 
102 
m 
28.6 
Total 
535 
100o0 
Transferred, absent or discharged 
68 
Grand Total 
603 
As pointed out in Appendix II, 43*33 of the men had profile serial numbers 
below the acceptable standard at the time of their arrival at the Center, After 
6 weeks, upon re-examination, 28*6% of the men who remained in training with 
their original increment were still below the permissible level. On the other 
hand, after re-examination, approximately 25X of the men had higher profile 
serial numbers, while only about 8ia had lower profile numbers. Thus it appears 
that a period of training is necessary before the physical status of some men 
can be properly evaluated. 
Appendix III