Academic

The inappropriate question on the Marine Corps' reference form

By Tung Yin

The U.S. Marine Corp has a form questionnaire that it uses for gathering references on applicants.  It asks for the evaluate to rate the applicant on a number of categories, using a scale ranging from "Superior" to "Inferior," with "Not Observed" as an option.

The first category is "Academic potential," followed by "Respect tendered by peers."  All very reasonable.  "Ability to accept criticism by seniors" is good as well.

However, the 14th category is "Personal appearance."

Wha???

What exactly is that supposed to mean?  Am I supposed to rate how good-looking the applicant is?  How well-groomed?  How well-dressed?

Full post as published by The Yin Blog on December 09, 2010 (boomark / email).