Managers request validation studies and stringent standards to stem trainin
g attrition. These studies while legally mandated and important are not nec
essarily the solution. The current study was motivated by such a request. T
he validity of four composites from an aptitude battery for predicting trai
ning success for weapons directors was evaluated. Participants were 353 Air
Force personnel who completed training and duty in a previous job. All fou
r composites, Mechanical, Administrative, General, and Electronics were val
id. General was most valid. We observed only three academic failures among
32 failed participants. The General composite scores for the successful and
non-academic failures were very similar. It was speculated that low motiva
tion and job design features were contributing factors for most eliminees.