Bootcamp Accession Trimester Effects on Performance and Retention
Abstract
Each year the Marine Corps recruits more than 30,000 enlistees. In an effort to obtain high-quality enlistees, over 40 percent of enlistees ship to boot camp during the June, July, August, and September trimester. In this thesis, I analyze the Marine Corps accession plan and the relationship between a Marines accession trimester and time awaiting training, as well as their likelihood to re-enlist after their first term and the probability of attrition prior to completing their first term. Additionally, this study determines if enlistees from the June, July, August, and September trimester outperform enlistees from the other trimesters. I use linear regression models and graphical trend analysis to estimate the relationships. I find that June, July, August, and September enlistees have the highest mean days awaiting training. Furthermore, the phasing approach increases the time awaiting training days for the following trimester. The increase in time awaiting training appears to be negatively associated with the probability of re-enlistment. Graphical analysis suggests the June, July, August, and September enlistees did not perform better than their counterparts; however, the differences in performance measure are minor. The attrition model shows a modest negative correlation between time awaiting training and likelihood of attrition. Considering high quality enlistees accumulate the most days, the estimated effect is logical.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1150460
Entities
People
- John Cruz
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School