Grit, Coachability, Character And Overall ACFT Performance Of United States Service Academy Cadets And Army Officers

Grit, hardiness and resilience are important character factors that can have potent downstream impact on many leadership and physical performance metrics. All three factors were analyzed in a larger study, however only grit is reported here. Coachability, character and overall Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) performances are important indicators of leadership potential or ability. PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of grit on coachability/character parameters and overall physical performance measures of U.S. service academy cadets and Army officers. METHODS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of 105 participants (78 men, 27 women) investigated specific individual performance metrics; Duckworth Grit; (12-question scale with total grit tertile criterion point levels of high, moderate, low) Johnson’s short Coachability scale; {Total (CT), Comfort (CC), Development (CD), Acceptance (CA)} a select set of character attributes that reflect both the building blocks of character and attributes associated with an Army leader’s character, and raw physical performance measures. RESULTS: The top grit group was significantly higher (p < 0.02) compared to the bottom grit group in CT, CC, CA, (Cohen’s large effect) CD, (medium effect) character moral efficacy (large effect) and humility (small effect). Additionally, the top grit group was significantly higher in performances of ACFT total score; smaller subset (n = 55), dead lift, power throw, sprint drag and carry (Cohen’s d medium effect) while the ACFT push-ups had a large effect via Cohen’s d. CONCLUSION: Higher grit measures were related to more coachability, enhanced character attributes and a higher score in four of six ACFT events. Working to increase grit, hardiness and overall resilience through training and competitive events appears to enhance overall factors important for leadership roles and physical performance demands of military personnel.