Cognitive, non-cognitive and physical fitness predictors of military training performance among U.S. Navy Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) trainees

Given the high levels of attrition experienced within the Special Warfare division of the Navy SEALs, three measures were studied to determine their predictability of training performance, based on the individual's Hell Week outcome, for SEAL classification efforts. Past research supports the application of cognitive measures and physical fitness criteria for inclusion in military division. Based on the results of the logistic regression analyses in this study, cognitive ability was indeed a significant predictor of performance through training (p<.05); yet, the physical fitness requirements, as measured at the start of training, were not significant predictors of performance (p>.05). In addition, the study broadened the research to include a personality predictor of performance, specifically developed for the Navy SEALs Despite the various traits included in the measure, the logistic regression analyses indicated that only the Cognitive Appraisal trait of Challenge was a significant predictor (p<.05). The results of the study offer future directions for furthering the research on the classification efforts within the SEAL community to improve upon the current retention of SEAL candidates.