PREDICTION OF REENLISTMENT AT END OF FIRST TERM OF ARMY SERVICE.
Abstract
The identification and retention of potential high quality career enlisted men has been a matter of concern within all three Armed Services. In response to the Army, the NEW CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUES Task undertook a three-year longitudinal research study to predict from characteristics of enlisted men, as measured at entry into the Army, reenlistment decision at the end of the first Regular Army term. The validation of a number of personal inventory measures developed to predict reenlistment action at the end of the first term of service is described in the Research Note. Responses to 631 questions in an attitude and background inventory administered to about 6000 Enlistees at entry into service, in the spring of 1958, were analyzed in relation to reenlistment action at the termination of three years' service. A general scale (23 items) developed on basis of results in a sample of 2600 first-term enlistees in a variety of MOS, yielded a coefficient of .29 in cross-validation. Construct scales reflecting different aspects of career motivation and scales empirically derived against a criterion of expressed career intentions were factor analyzed. Four interpretable factors were delineated: I-positive attitudes toward the service; II-high abilities on the Army Classification Battery, favorable background, good personality adjustment; III-mechanical ability and interest; IV-emphasis on career incentive and individual job goals. Factors I and IV were moderately related to reenlistment. A followup study is underway on the effects of service-connected factors on career motivation and changes in reenlistment intention. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0636485
Entities
People
- Leo J. Kotula
- William H. Helme