Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Joshua D. Henson

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas J. Gollery

Third Advisor

Dr. Christopher Townsend

Abstract

The United States' national security depends upon high-performing leaders within select high-stress and high-risk military functional communities. However, research into the personality traits needed to perform well in these communities is lacking. This quantitative, retrospective, nonexperimental, correlational research aimed to determine whether relationships existed between the personality traits of Air Force EOD Team Leader Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their combat performance and resilience. The theoretical foundation of this study encompassed personality trait theory, theories of human resource management and performance, and criterion measurement theories. The TAKE5 FC, a commercially available forced-choice five-factor model personality assessment, measured personality traits. Combat performance was measured using the Combat/Deployment Performance Rating Scale (CDPRS), and Resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Air Force EOD Team Leader Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan completed the TAKE5 FC and CD-RISC, whereas their Team Members completed CDPRS surveys to assess their combat performance. This study revealed that the combat performance domain of Field Readiness was best predicted by a curvilinear relationship with the personality trait of Extraversion. Resilience was best predicted by both linear and curvilinear relationships with Emotional Stability. Additional research is suggested to support these findings further, develop new theories of high-stress and high-risk leadership performance, and enact leadership development and resilience programs within dangerous career fields.

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