Preparing Brigade Combat Team Soldiers for Mission Readiness Through Research on Intangible Psychological Constructs and Their Applications: Phase 1

Abstract

This research consisted of two phases. In the initial phase, covered in this report, emphasis was placed on identification of psychological constructs that were determined to be critical for operational units as they prepared to deploy. To support the research objectives, a comprehensive literature review including academic and military sources was conducted and approximately one hundred Soldiers and leaders were interviewed. Several meta-constructs were identified, each of which had multiple sub-constructs embedded within them. Interviews with Soldiers and leaders assisted in reducing the list to those intangibles most critical to mission readiness and identifying training gaps related to the criticality and effectiveness of the relevant intangibles. This identification assisted the second phase of this research that focused on instrument development and identification of effective learning methods; the second phase is covered in a second report. See also ARI

Identifying Predictors of Army Marksmanship: A Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor Perspective

“…Initiative is also identified as the willingness to act when faced with uncertain situations and when orders are either absent or no longer fit the situation (Department of the Army, 2006a; Aude et al, 2014). Although initiative is theoretically implied to increase performance due to the associated motivational components (Aude et al, 2014;Fay & Frese, 2001), the current findings suggest a negative relationship between initiative and marksmanship performance. We postulate that individuals high in initiative may focus on getting the job done quickly rather than the accuracy and precision required for shooting.…”

“…Personal initiative is defined as an active behavior characterized by a persistent, self-starting, and proactive approach to pursue a goal (Fay & Frese, 2001;Frese, Kring, Soose, & Zempel, 1996). Initiative is also identified as the willingness to act when faced with uncertain situations and when orders are either absent or no longer fit the situation (Department of the Army, 2006a; Aude et al, 2014). Although initiative is theoretically implied to increase performance due to the associated motivational components (Aude et al, 2014;Fay & Frese, 2001), the current findings suggest a negative relationship between initiative and marksmanship performance.…”

Preparing Brigade Combat Team Soldiers for Mission Readiness Through Research on Intangible Psychological Constructs and their Applications: Validation and Pilot

“…The purpose of Phase I of this research was the identification of psychological constructs critical for Soldier mission readiness (Aude, Bryson, Keller-Glaze, Nicely, & Vowels, 2014). To support the research objectives, a comprehensive literature review including academic and military sources was conducted and a combined total of approximately 100 Soldiers and leaders were either interviewed or participated in focus groups.…”

“…Phase II of the research consisted of a literature review and data collection focused on the measurement of hardiness, grit, will, and initiative, as well as the identification of what types of training/learning environments are most conducive to the exhibition or demonstration of these four intangible constructs (Aude, Keller-Glaze, Nicely, Shuffler, & Vowels, 2014). During data collection, interviews were conducted with a combined total of approximately 50 Soldiers and leaders.…”

“…Data from Soldier subject matter experts also contributed to item generation. For example, during Phase I interviews and focus groups, participants were asked to identify indicators of initiative, grit, will, and hardiness (Aude, Bryson, Keller-Glaze, Nicely, & Vowels, 2014). Employing the previously mentioned content sources, three members of the research team independently developed draft item lists.…”