AIR CADETS’ RECEPTIVE SKILL DEVELOPMENT FOR CULTIVATING KEY ATTRIBUTES FOR MILITARY CAREERS

Abstract

          The purpose of this research was to examine approaches to receptive skills development in order to cultivate key attributes for military careers, as well as to analyze factors affecting air cadets’ receptive skills development. The population in this study consisted of first-year air cadets methodologically selected based on practical test scores on receptive skills. In addition, individual in-depth interviews were conducted to investigate approaches to receptive skills development compatible with educational and personal backgrounds of the air cadets. The results of this study suggested that the development of receptive skills should progress from the most basic to the most complex, which corresponds to the concept of cognitive development. Moreover, the factors affecting air cadets’ receptive skills development should suit air cadets’ interest and experiences. Also, allowing ample time to master each receptive skill is crucial to ensure development effectiveness with the use of mind mapping and expansion of ideas into words and statements, respectively. Furthermore, in terms of enhancement of the key military leader attributes, it was found that the attributes related to mind were clearly cultivated.