Section II: The Interview. 3. Definition: a. The Army interview is a specialized pattern of verbal communication initiated for a specific purpose. This takes the interview out of the category of casual conversation or discussion for its own sake. Interviews normally are scheduled at an appropriate time and place to be free from distractions or disturbing factors. The interviewer is qualified and authorized to conduct the interview. He has a predetermined purpose that will affect the interviewee. The interviewer must create and maintain an atmosphere in which the respondent feels that he is understood and in which he is safe to communicate without fear of being judged or criticized. On the other hand, the respondent must be able and willing to assist in the accomplishment of the purpose.
b. The most common interview method used by the Army is the standardized or “patterned” interview because it is well adapted to recurring situations. Standardized interviews are used for evaluation of officer candidates, interviewing for assignment to special jobs, or interviewing for selection of leaders. The standardized interview involves the use of forms, such as an interview blank for recording impressions and a rating sheet when evaluation of the interviewee is required. Interviewers may be supplied a manual which describes the nature and purpose of the forms to be used and may outline, in some detail, the order of procedures to be followed. Rating sheets serve as guides to direct attention to important factors, insure that significant details are not neglected, and provide for systematic reporting. In addition to the specific directions supplied by the manual, the techniques of good interviewing as outlined in this pamphlet apply. Personnel assigned to conduct standardized interviews should be thoroughly familiar with the selection requirements of the area for which individuals are being considered as well as in the techniques of interviewing. Standardized interviews may be conducted by a board operating in formal session.
Excerpted from Department of the Army Pamphlet 611–1: ‘Personnel Selection and Classification: The Army Interview.’ Original publication from August 31, 1965. Unclassified.