A Comparative Analysis of Ready Relevant Learning in Navy "A" School Ratings

Abstract

Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) is a crucial component of the Sailor 2025 initiative to modernize enlisted Navy training. Navy “A” school is vital in Sailors’ careers—its main objective is to train and prepare Sailors for their jobs in the Fleet. This study aims to assess end-of-course training scores under RRL training compared to those from legacy training from 2017 to 2023 for four Navy ratings: Logistic Specialist (LS), Personnel Specialist (PS), Retail Service Specialist (RS), and Yeomen (YN). Using a statistical regression analysis approach, I find that, while the end-of-test scores show a statistically significant small decrease in the RRL training compared with legacy, the difference did not impact “A” school graduation rates. After controlling for demographics and AFQT scores of Sailors, the analysis highlights that demographic shifts among legacy and RRL Sailors significantly impact end-of-course training scores, with more females, African Americans, and married Sailors groups outperforming others under RRL. The next step requires an assessment of test questions and learning objectives to infer the impact of the RRL on Sailors’ learning in “A” schools and contribute to the broader analysis of the effectiveness of the RRL training to prepare Sailors to meet the needs of the Navy.