Is there a place in the military for Type B personalities?

2017-08-01T04:58:48-04:00

Everyone knows of the alpha male or Type A personality that runs rampant through the ranks. But is there a place for the Type B beta male types anywhere in the military?

Response by CPO Glenn Moss made Aug 1 at 2017 5:30 AM

2017-08-01T05:30:10-04:00

Define what you believe Type A and Type B personalities to be for the purpose of this discussion.

Not everybody fits squarely in either of these two classical definitions. In fact, people can shift back and forth between the two or may have aspects of both definitions.

Neither personality type is considered detrimental (well, except for certain studies which show Type A personalities to be more prone to coronary heart disease due to the effects of stress).

And try getting a room full of strictly Type A personalities to work together.

The truth is it takes all kinds of people to run things.

It's kind of like saying there are two types of people: leaders and followers, then asking if you can do without one or the other. A leader is useless as a leader without followers, and not everybody can be a leader at the same time...or act as a leader under some circumstances.

So yes...there's a place in the military for Type B personalities. In fact, there's a place for the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, too.

https://www.opp.com/en/tools/MBTI/MBTI-personality-Types

Myers-Briggs personality types (MBTI) – Personality profiles | OPP

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can help you to understand your personality type. Read about your strengths and weaknesses.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2017 8:24 AM

2017-08-01T08:24:52-04:00

Intel analysts

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 1 at 2017 8:58 AM

2017-08-01T08:58:14-04:00

It seems to me we have all types throughout the ranks. Haven't you ever served with the driver, loader or M-60 gunner that would be more than happy doing that role for their entire career??? I knew some reserve Soldiers that retired as E-5E-6 and even an E-4 (National Guard) with 20 years in glad they served and happy with their accomplishments.