Special forces commandos have discernible personality profiles, with low neuroticism, more conscientiousness, and markedly less openness to experience

Huijzer, R., Jeronimus, B. F., Reehoorn, A., Blaauw, F. J., Baatenburg de Jong, M., de Jonge, P., & den Hartigh, R. J. R. (2022). Personality traits of special forces operators: Comparing commandos, candidates, and controls. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, May 2022. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000296

Abstract: Dutch special forces operators, also known as commandos, perform in mentally and physically tough environments. An important question for recruitment and selection of commandos is whether they have particular personality traits. To answer this question, we first examined differences in personality traits between 110 experienced Dutch male commandos and a control sample of 275 men in the same age range. Second, we measured the personality traits at the start of the special forces selection program and compared the scores of candidates who later graduated (n = 53) or dropped out (n = 138). Multilevel Bayesian models and t tests revealed that commandos were less neurotic (d = −0.58), more conscientious (d = 0.45), and markedly less open to experiences (d = −1.13) than the matched civilian group. Furthermore, there was a tendency for graduates to be less neurotic (d = −0.27) and more conscientious (d = 0.24) than dropouts. For selection, personality traits do not appear discriminative enough for graduation success and other factors need to be accounted for as well, such as other psychological constructs and physical performance. On the other hand, these results provide interesting clues for using personality traits to recruit people for the special forces program.

Author's Perspective - Comparing the Personality of Commandos, Civilians and Recruits

What is it about? Special forces operators perform in mentally and physically tough environments. For instance, they need to complete high-stakes missions, such as saving a hostage, successfully even when dehydrated or sleep deprived. As a consequence, the special forces training is very challenging and the great majority of recruits drop out during the selection period. In order to find out which types of people become successful commandos, we examined whether (a) Dutch commandos differ in their personality traits from a matched group of “normal” Dutch men, and (b) recruits who graduate from the selection program differ in their personality traits from the dropouts. Differences between commandos the matched group of Dutch men, and between the recruits were indeed found. Amongst others, commandos and successful recruits were relatively less neurotic and more conscientious.

Why is it important? Why are some people able to become a commando, whereas others are not? Does it have to do with personality whether one can become a commando? Such questions are crucial to recruit and select special forces operators. In our study, we investigated the personality of commandos, a matched group of Dutch men, and recruits, and found that personality traits do make a difference between these groups. Having a clearer picture of the personality traits that matter allows for a better targeted recruitment and selection of special forces operators.