An inquiry into the resilience of U.S. Navy recruits

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of resilience in U.S. Navy recruits as they go through basic training. We seek to examine factors that contribute to higher or lower levels of resiliency. This study surveyed 299 U.S. Navy recruits to measure resilience and its constructs at four time intervals to examine relationships, trends, and any significant changes. This project used quantitative analysis techniques to surface factors relevant to increasing resiliency. Our results provide insight to increases in resilience trends and a path model, which investigates causation. Resilience trends demonstrate the possibility to increase resilience capacity through external factors. The important takeaway is we believe results further affirm that resilience may be learned and is not entirely a personality trait. Additionally, a path model found leadership moderated through cohesion and identification can positively impact division resilience. Our results also provide insight for recommended interventions that will focus on leadership, cohesion, and positive framing to increase the resilience capacity of new recruits. We feel that building resilience is essential to producing Sailors that are always ready to execute the Navy’s mission.