Campion, Barrow and
Associates offers several options with regards to psychological
assessments for the Salvation Army. For more detailed information,
please select from one of the following options:
Welcome! Whether you
are applying for Officership, a cadet in training, or a current officer
who is involved in the selection process of new Officers, we hope you find
this information helpful in understanding Campion, Barrow and Associate’s
unique and beneficial relationship with the College for Officer Training.
Introduction and
History
In 1993, the Salvation Army
Central Territory began utilizing the expertise of Dr. Michael Campion and
his staff of trained Behavioral Specialists to formulate the
Candidate Psychological Assessment Program, and in 1997 the
Comprehensive Feedback Program. This
method has been demonstrated by research to accurately select and predict
individuals for Officership. In addition, the assessment
identifies key strengths and areas of growth within an individual for
personal development. Feedback of results occurs both telephonically
and in face-to-face formats. This information is a key component of
goal setting throughout the two years of training at the College.
The Central Territory is
the only territory in the Salvation Army that utilizes such a unique and
extensive assessment and feedback program for the development of its
Cadets.
Purpose of the CFOT
Entrance Evaluation
Each individual applying
for Officership brings a distinctive set of skills, traits, and qualities.
The purpose of the evaluation is to identify those characteristics which
lend themselves well to a ministerial role, and which ones need continued
attention before or during acceptance into training. An individual
is examined in two broad categories: Estimated Scholastic
Aptitude Ability and Emotional and Relational Skills.
The academic portion consists of a test of mental alertness, and four
aptitude tests that assess reading comprehension, basic arithmetic,
ability to communicate in writing, and judgment and reasoning. Areas
examined in the emotional and relational portion include leadership,
stress hardiness, social skills, balanced lifestyle, interests,
psychosocial functioning, anger management, and attitudes toward authority
for example.
The results are given to
the Salvation Army in a narrative report and summarized on a 1 to 5-scale
rating in both the Academic/Aptitude and Emotional/Relational portions
respectively. If a candidate receives a “2” or less on either
section, a re-evaluation is required. In the event of this
occurring, the candidate would be required to travel to our main office
for re-testing and an interview with a Behavioral Specialist. A new
summary report with recommendations would then be submitted. All
instructions would be given by the Divisional Youth and Candidates
Secretary if this was deemed necessary.
The Assessment
Process
Once you have taken the
assessment, it generally takes a few weeks for test scoring, and report
writing. The report is sent directly to Territorial Headquarters.
From there, your Divisional Youth and Candidate’s Secretary will be given
a summary of the assessment. Campion, Barrow & Associates (CBA) will
receive a copy of this summary as well signaling the in-depth phone
feedback session. CBA will contact you to setup a time that is
convenient for you to call in and talk with one of the professional staff
members. During this phone feedback session, you will receive
information about your test results and recommendations. Your DYS
will be notified afterwards that the phone feedback has been completed and
then they will follow up with you on completing the recommendations if
necessary. Below
is a flow chart of the testing process:
1. Your assessment is
scheduled through your Divisional Youth and Candidates Secretary
2. Tests are administered
by the Youth & Candidates Secretary (expect around 5 hours of testing)
3. CBA scores and writes
report and sends to Territorial Headquarters
4. Territorial HQ
gives a summary of results to your Youth & Candidates Secretary and
CBA
5.
CBA contacts you to schedule a phone feedback session with CBA
professional staff
6.
Youth and Candidates Secretary is notified by CBA that feedback has been
completed and is then instructed to follow up with recommendations if
necessary.
7. Retesting may be
required if a rating of 2 or less is required
The Feedback Process-
Why is it necessary?
While the entrance
assessment is used as a selection tool, its primary function is for
learning. The assessment seeks to identify strengths which are to be
augmented, and weaknesses to be proactively addressed. CBA does not
believe in selecting a perfect candidate. Every individual has
strengths and limitations. Therefore, it is CBA’s belief that the
goal of each person should be continued self-improvement.
In some cases, remedial
education is suggested before attending the College for Officer Training.
This is intended for those whose test scores indicate that a particular
academic concerns. Taking remedial courses in most cases helps
increase the potential for academic success.
Likewise, for some
candidates, mentoring from a mature Salvation Army Officer or therapy from
a trained Psychotherapist is suggested based upon issues that arise from
testing. If counseling is suggested, it does not indicate that a
person is “crazy” or cannot be an officer. On the contrary,
counseling is designed to better facilitate personal growth through
focused individual attention. The goal is to develop mature Cadets
and future Officers.
Once at the College for
Officer Training, the Cadet will meet a Behavioral Specialist from
Campion, Barrow and Associates. This occurs within the first few
weeks of training to again review the test results. From that
interaction, goals will be set for professional, interpersonal, and
personal growth. Near the two year completion of training, the
graduating Cadet will once again meet with a Counselor from CBA to review
the goals. New goals will also be set for the first years as a
commissioned officer.
For Current Cadets at the College for Officer Training
If you are currently a
Cadet at the College for Officer Training and are experiencing
interpersonal, or emotional problems, please call our office for
counseling or consultation. Many times, the intense schedule of
training program is overwhelming. Overload and exhaustion from
stress can occur. CBA has trained counselors to help assist you with
the difficulties you are experiencing.
Please call 1 – (877) 327-9002 to speak with a counselor
Or, you may choose to communicate with us via email. You may contact
one of our counselors at counselor@campionbarrow.com.
Specialized Psychological Exams
Apart from basic entrance
assessments, Campion, Barrow and Associates also assists the Salvation Army
Central Territory with specialized psychological evaluations.
Mandatory Evaluations: This evaluation is designed to look at
any mental, emotional, or interpersonal difficulties which might be
affecting job performance as an officer. This process generally
involves 5 hours of testing, which includes two or thee objective
psychological exams, a test of mental alertness, a psychosocial inventory,
and a clinical interview with a Behavioral Specialist. Normally, this
assessment occurs at Campion, Barrow and Associate’s Administrative office
in Champaign, Illinois. Diagnosis information and treatment
recommendations will be summarized and sent to the Secretary for Personnel’s
office and Territorial Headquarters.
It should be noted that all
questions and inquiries on an assessment after it has been completed should
be forwarded solely to the Territorial Secretary for Personnel office at THQ.
Missionary Evaluations: This assessment examines basic
personality structure, but more importantly stress hardiness for a full-time
missionary position. Other areas examined include leadership
skills, self-initiative, problem solving, ability to handle a high degree of
stress, and marital relationship. The assessment consists of at least
two objective psychological tests, a psychosocial inventory, a test of
mental alertness, and a clinical interview with a Behavioral Specialist.
This assessment normally takes around 4 to 6 six hours to complete.
Re-acceptance for Officership Evaluations: This assessment is
used for all individuals who are re-applying for Officership. The
assessment carefully evaluates judgment, critical thinking, emotional
stability, stress hardiness, relational skills, current life adjustment,
anger levels, and relation to authority. This assessment takes
approximately 5 hours to complete at our Administrative office in Champaign,
Illinois. The assessment consists of at least two objective
psychological tests, a psychosocial inventory, a test of mental alertness,
and a clinical interview with a Behavioral Specialist. This assessment
normally takes around 4 to 6 six hours to complete.
For Divisional Youth and Candidates Secretaries and other personnel
involved in Officer Selection
Below are links to attached .pdf files. Please feel free to print
them off your browser and use the forms in the testing process.
In addition, if you have
any questions or would like more information on the testing and assessment process, please e-mail us at
info@campionbarrow, or you can call 1 – (877) 327-9002.