Evaluating Suitability Across the Services: ELS Length and the Relationship between Enlistment Waivers and Separation Outcomes

Abstract

This report focuses on two distinct, but related topics: enlistment waivers and entry-level separations. The waiver process recognizes that some young people have made mistakes and overcome their past behavior or have had a medical condition that warrants review. A one-time incident or issue may not accurately reflect the character or potential for someone to serve. ELS length and administrative separation policies provide an orderly means to discharge those found to be unsuitable to serve. In this light, two offices within the OSD-Personnel and Readiness (the Offices of the Under Secretary of Defense for Accession Policy (AP) and Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management (OEPM)) asked CNA to evaluate the Services policies, practices, and successes for determining suitability for service at accession (enlistment waivers) and in service (ELS length and reasons for early separation). In this second of two reports, we 1) determine the probability of, and reasons for, separation among those who access with enlistment waivers, 2) examine the arguments for and against extending ELS, as well as inconsistencies in ELS separation reasons, and 3) make recommendations.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2020
Accession Number
AD1145697

Entities

People

  • Kyle Neering
  • Shannon Desrosiers

Organizations

  • CNA ANALYSIS AND SOLUTIONS ALEXANDRIA VA

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Attrition
  • Business Administration
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Employment
  • Enlisted Personnel
  • Manpower
  • Marine Corps
  • Medical Personnel
  • Mental Disorders
  • Mental Health
  • Personnel Management
  • Propensity Score Matching
  • Recruiting
  • Training

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Naval Personnel Management