Moustaches

Extract

These studies of association between types of moustache and personality features were made during World War II in two officer-selection Boards (U.K., Male). The Boards contained Senior Officers (who interviewed each candidate), “Military Testing Officers” (who graded on practical tests given over three days residence), and a psychiatrist. A “Psychological Testing Team” conducted written tests. Board results were expressed as “pass” or “fail” or “referred back”. The ratings upwards of “pass” were DD, D, C, B and A. Men considered too unadaptable for officer grade (and so “failing”), but likely to become or to remain good N.C.O.s, were (for the information of the Board) specially noted as “fail: N.C.O.”. The “referred back” men were rated NY (“Not Yet”—chance of further maturity). In this paper “pass” and “fail” are placed in inverted commas to emphasize that ratings had reference to selection for one role only—that of Commissioned Officer.