Personality Profiles of U.S. Navy Sea-Air-Land ( SEAL) Personnel

Abstract

5047Appwo for publc rom: duftbm un itd. Report 94-8, supported by the Naval Medical Research and Development Command, Department of the Navy under work unit 62233N MM33P30.002-6005. The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. NAVAL HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER SUMMARY Problem.High (50-70%) attrition rates among U.S. Navy Sea-Air-Land commando (SEAL) trainees are common. Although SEAL volunteers are selected for intelligence, maturity, combat skills and physical performance, these characteristics are insufficient for predicting success or failure during training.Objective.The primary objective of this study was to collect baseline demographic and personality data on SEALs for developing a profile that may be used to improve selection and training.Demographic and personality data were collected from 139 SEAL personnel (aged 20-45) assigned to five different duty stations. The NEO Personality Inventory was employed because of its breadth and applicability. This inventory categorizes personality by five major domains: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Data were analyzed for effects of age, rank and experience in Naval Special Warfare. SEAL data were also compared to those collected from adult males in the general population. Results.The more-experienced SEALs scored higher on Conscientiousness and lower on Extraversion than the less-experienced SEALs. However, these effects were shown to be explained by increased age, not Special Warfare experience per se. Commissioned officers scored significantly higher on both Extraversion and Conscientiousness than Enlisted SEALs.SEALs scored lower in Neuroticism and Agreeableness, average to lower in Openness, and higher in Conscientiousness and Extraversion compared to the norms for adult males. Conclusions.Based on the personality data collected, a general profile for the "average" SEAL was created. This profile may be useful in developing future recruitment, selection, and training programs. One consideration for further study is the question of whether the differences found between SEALs and the general population norms are due to self-selection or to personality changes caused by the demands of military and SEAL training. 3

Mindfulness in Action: Discovering How U.S. Navy Seals Build Capacity for Mindfulness in High-Reliability Organizations (HROs)

“…Braun, Prusaczyk, Goforth, and Pratt (1994) administered a five factor survey (NEO Personality Inventory) comparing SEAL recruits to males in the general population in five categories: conscientiousness, neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, and openness. Findings revealed that SEALs scored lower than the general population on neuroticism, indicating they are less prone to feelings of depression and vulnerability, and higher on aspects of extraversion such as excitement seeking and assertiveness.…”

Commentary on Mindfulness in Action: Discovering How U.S. Navy SEALs Build Capacity for Mindfulness in High-Reliability Organizations (HROs)

“…For example, McDonald, Norton, and Hodgdon (1988) administered the Hogan Personality Inventory and found that successful SEAL recruits scored higher than drop outs in self-confidence, composure under pressure, amicability, courteousness, and even temperedness. Braun, Prusaczyk, Goforth, and Pratt (1994) administered a five factor survey (NEO Personality Inventory) comparing SEAL recruits to males in the general population in five categories: conscientiousness, neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, and openness. Findings revealed that SEALs scored lower than the general population on neuroticism, indicating they are less prone to feelings of depression and vulnerability, and higher on aspects of extraversion such as excitement seeking and assertiveness.…”

Big Five Personality Profiles in the Norwegian Special Operations Forces

“…A study of 139 NEO-PI-R profiles from operators in the United States Navy Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) Commando, found that SEALs had lower scores on neuroticism and agreeableness, the same to lower on openness, and higher scores on conscientiousness and extraversion, relative to the norms for adult American males (Braun et al, 1994). This study also reported that more-experienced SEALs scored higher on conscientiousness and lower on extraversion than lessexperienced SEALs, and that commissioned officers had higher scores on both of these factors when compared to enlisted operators.…”