Effects of participation in the Physical Conditioning Platoon

Designed to assess the effects of Marine recruits' participation in the Physical Conditioning Platoon during 1975 (N - 635). Comparisons (t-values) of pre and post measures of an attitude questionnaire, the Comrey Personality Scales, and a self-evaluation scale indicated that significant increases in favorability of perceptions occurred during training for 12 of the 13 scales. During a stay of approximately 30 days, overweight recruits lost an average of 26 pounds. The most powerful predictors of graduation from PCP and recruit training included the Affiliation (with the Marine Corps) scale and a composite of 10 Activity Scale items. These two variables may be useful in selection of PCP participants by reducing the 36% PCP attrition rate.