BUDS Candidate Success Through RTC: First Watch Results

Abstract : Programs designed to prepare Sailors to participate in the Special Warfare and Special Operations ratings have been facing high attrition levels. These initial losses to the SEALS program make meeting personnel needs difficult. Considering the losses of potential BUDS candidates early in Navy training, more focus has been placed on ways to identify the characteristics of Sailors who successfully complete their initial training. First Watch on the First Term of Enlistment (First Watch) results were used to identify the characteristics of those who are successful through their initial training at the Recruit Training Center (RTC). Fit with the Navy, personality characteristics, and commitment were shown to be distinguishing characteristics for BUDS candidates as compared to those Sailors who do not start BUDS training. Additional studies using data from the Navy Computer Adaptive Personality Scales (NCAPS) may provide more information about characteristics of successful BUDS students. With a more accurate picture of successful candidates, recruiting efforts could be directed towards recruits and Sailors with characteristics that make them more likely to successfully complete training.