Earlier this year, the Army ran a pilot English comprehension and writing assessment with about 500 soldiers at the Basic Leader Course, formerly known as the Warrior Leader Course.
Students were given 50 minutes to write an essay about the potentially positive effects of peer pressure. They were asked to explain their position with reasons and examples from their own experience, observations or reading.
The soldiers were graded at a level equivalent to a freshman in college.
Using an automated grading tool, soldiers' essays were scored on a scale of one through six, with one representing those who have "much work to do" to improve their writing skills, and six representing essays that have "a convincing argument."
Here are some of the actual soldier writing samples, provided to Army Times. Three are among the lowest scores provided to Army Times, and the last is an excerpt from the only perfect score the Army provided.
Score: 1 out of 6
Peer pressure exist everywhere, specially in school. Friends have a lot of power on teenagers decisions, specially if the child doesn't have guidance at home. Having control ov er decisions is important and it all starts at home. At home I talk to my daughter a lot about how negative peer pressure can affect. Shoosing a good circle of friends is a good start. Keeping kids active in sports and other healthy activities is great. I hope you like my essay. Thank You.
Score: 2 out of 6
Peer pressure is a big part of our lives. Whether it's at work or school, peer pressure can affect your life. It can have a negative effect on you but not always. Sometimes it can have a positive effect. It can affect the way you dress, act around friends, alcohol, and smoking. Peer pressure can help you fit in with people, which can be good or bad. Positive peer pressure can help reflect on your actions and help you become a better individual. You can watch others achieve their goals and that will help you work hard on your goals you want to achieve. I was peer pressured into chewing tobacco when I was younger. It was a bad habit to pick up. But a few years back, a relative got cancer from tobacco. They ended up passing away because of it so that pressured me to quit chewing.
Score 2 out of 6
By definition pressure is:" a constraining or compelling force or influence." Pressure can be seen as positive or negative thing depending on person whom it's applied to specially in army institution standard. What is the potentially positive effects of peer pressure? Army is the most demanding institution about rules and requirements which is based on its Doctrines and values. To achieve those goals, peers have to implement pressures which are positives effects for the best of the institution. Peers pressures are good when they are motived soldiers to give their best potentials and improvements regarding their jobs and their fitness readiness for the mission. By observation peer pushed by pressure Soldiers passed their Physical Readiness training test and be more knowledgeable on their military occupational specialty.
Score: 2 out of 6
Being a parachute rigger comes with tons of peer pressure some bad, some good. Having the will power to over come that pressure is what i believe to be a great noncommissioned officer chartists. Positive effects from peer pressure happens a lot, like having them help over come a challenge, having your battle buddy's there to push and support you thur tough times in life. Peer pressure can completely change your life, either negative or positive. For example when i was hurt and couldn't work out and do anything all my buddy's kept pressuring me about my fitness and if it wasn't for them today i wouldn't be in the army today. Heres another reason i use to have a drinking problem and im thankful for my noncommissioned officer that helped me get help when i was lost in my own world. Peer pressure gets a lot of negative action but if you really take your time to see that most people are out here to assist. Having that positive influence in your life can change your life and that is not always a bad thing. Peer pressure will either make you or break you.
Score: 6 out of 6 (Excerpt from a 769-word response)
In the popular film (and comic book) series, Spiderman, Peter Parker's uncle says, "with great power comes great responsibility," to Peter shortly before he passes away. Peter Parker eventually took this advice and applied it to his newfound abilities; however it still applies to any person with any kind of power. When one possesses even a small amount of power, he/she will have people that look up to him/her. Once one has people who look up to him, they begin to have influence over those individuals, how they use that influence is seen as peer pressure. This power may come from position, experience, knowledge, or any number of things. If can even be just because someone looks like a leader, people will want to follow him/her. Peer pressure is an important topic to study in the military because many times peer pressure leads to hazing. Hazing is a hot topic in the military service and at universities because of the multiple deaths occurring from it. This kind of peer pressure results from the desire to be a part of a group, and when those who belong to the group realize that the individual will do almost anything to become a part of the group, they abuse their power. Those who have great power, but lack great responsibility are those who inevitably get somebody killed through peer pressure.
