The Effect of the Diversity on First-Ship Assignment on First-Term Retention Decisions
Abstract
This study uses a sample of Navy personnel data for personnel entering the Navy between FY1995 and FY2012 to examine how higher levels of diversity among peers and role models affect retention. To test for this effect, we estimated fixed-effects models that regressed the first-term retention decision on the proportions of shipmates who were Black, Hispanic, and female. We found some cases of strong evidence that greater diversity positively affects retention for both underrepresented groups, as well as majority groups. In an accompanying qualitative analysis from interviews with first-term sailors on Navy ships, we learned that members of underrepresented groups, compared to others, tend to face greater obstacles resulting from institutional Navy rules, tend to have inferior experiences with mentors, have more communication challenges with peers and superiors, and feel like they have fewer opportunities in the Navy. Greater diversity among peers and superiors might be able to address some of these more challenging experiences.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1118307
Entities
People
- Jeremy Arkes
- Simona Tick
- Steve Mehay
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School