Final answer:
The U.S. Army established a systematic method for selecting NCOs in 1917, with the introduction of standardized psychological assessments and performance ratings for officers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Establishment of a Systematic Method for Selecting NCOs
The U.S. Army established a systematic method for selecting Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) after recognizing the need for a competent officer corps as the country entered into World War I. It was during this time that the use of psychological assessments and performance ratings came into play to aid in the selection process. Two pioneers in this effort were Scott and Bingham, who organized a group under the Adjutant General's Office (AGO) to develop selection methods for officers and introduced a catalogue of occupational needs for the Army, which is essentially a job-description system, as well as a system of performance ratings and occupational skill tests for officers. These efforts culminated in the creation of standardized tests, such as the Army Alpha and Beta tests, which were introduced in 1917 to screen and select enlisted men based on mental abilities and other competencies.
This was a significant step forward from previous practices where officers were appointed based on nominations within state volunteer regiments, which often led to a lack of proper training and organization. The introduction of these methods marks the year 1917 as the point when the Army began its journey towards more systematic and merit-based selection of NCOs and officers, a stark contrast to the haphazard and politically influenced practices prior to World War I.