Grit and Hardiness as Predictors of Performance Among West Point Cadets

Abstract

The U.S. Military Academy has historically used an academically weighted composite of aptitude, leadership, and physical ability indices for selection of candidates and to predict their performance at the Academy. Researchers at West Point have begun to investigate the incremental contribution of a variety of less traditional nonaptitude or noncognitive factors in predicting performance. Particular focus has centered on hardiness and grit because they have been shown to predict persistence through Cadet Basic Training (CBT) and achievement in the first year at the Academy. In the current investigation, we further examined the predictive validity of grit and hardiness, and their subfacets, on retention and performance through the full 4-year West Point program with data from 1,558 cadets, comprising the West Point classes of 2009 and 2010. Results of regression analyses indicate that whereas grit interest and hardiness commitment were the sole predictors of attrition from CBT, only grit effort predicted persistence across the remaining 4 year period. College Entrance Exam Rank (CEER), a traditional measure of academic success, did not predict persistence. In terms of performance, grit interest, and hardiness control added to CEER in the prediction of 4-year academic performance. Although CEER continued to be the best predictor of military performance, grit effort and hardiness commitment were also important contributors. Finally, grit effort also added to the Athletic Activities Score and CEER in predicting physical performance. These results indicate that the noncognitive factors grit and hardiness are important predictors of success in military officer candidates. We discuss the implication of our findings for selection and prediction of performance of within military environments.

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