Winning The War In Cyberspace: Retaining Millennials to Meet Air National Guard Mission Requirements
Abstract
A worldwide shortage of cyber professionals over the next 10 years could impact the effort to retain Air National Guard (ANG) cyber warriors. To win the war in cyberspace, ANG leaders must retain these valuable employees. To retain an employee, the first step is to understand what they desire. Because tech savvy Millennials are the target demographic for cyber careers, this research focused on understanding the desires of Millennials in an effort to retain them. The ANG was presented an opportunity via Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to convert not less than 20 percent of Title 32 Technicians to Title 5. Additionally, FY17 NDAA adds the request of a report on the feasibility and advisability of converting remaining Title 32 technicians to Active Guard Reserve (AGR). Each of these statuses has differences in organizational structure, compensation, physical demands and work-life balance. Research suggests these criteria will affect a Millennials desire to commit to an organization. Utilizing the problem solution method, these criteria were weighted based on importance to Millennials. Each status was then assigned a multiplier determined by how well the hiring status supported the criteria. A decision matrix was then used to determine the best hiring status for Millennial retention. Title 5 status was found to be the most compatible in work-life balance, organizational structure and physical requirements. Because of this, the recommendation is for ANG leaders to capitalize on Title 5 conversion and convert ANG cyber warriors to a Title 5 status. Because Title 32 status is least compatible with the desires of Millennials, the recommendation is to convert remaining Title 32 technicians to AGR. If ANG leaders intend to meet the demands of a cyber driven Air Force, they must act now to retain cyber professionals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1054565
Entities
People
- Dreama K Hutchison
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College