Evaluation of military qualities and virtues for practical exercises at the Air Force Technical School with work sheets

Abstract

The assessment of military qualities and virtues is a fundamental component within the performance evaluation system for trainees at the Ecuadorian Air Force Technical School. However, grading during field exercises, which involve large contingents of trainees, has evidenced serious limitations in terms of objectivity and fairness, even compromising operational safety. This study addressed the problematic subjectivity in grading, for which a proposed evaluation matrix was applied in various field military exercises, with the participation of several graduating classes. Instructors and evaluators utilized the tool to assess the military qualities and virtues of each trainee across different planned activities, each with four evaluable items. Each item was scored on a short scale with an equivalence to a "merit" as a military grade and, in turn, an academic score out of twenty points. As a result, a significant improvement was observed in the objectivity and fairness of the scores, as well as greater clarity in the feedback provided to the trainees for continuous improvement through objective tracking. Most importantly, safety standards were maintained during the execution of activities, preventing distractions from attempting to evaluate the trainee as justly as possible.