The National Guard Retention Study.
Abstract
This study assesses Guardsmen's attitudes toward the major elements of Guard life, and measures the effect of these attitudes on retention. Overall, training is the major problem area, and unfavorable attitudes toward it impact heavily on termination decisions. Promotion opportunities are another major problem area. Guardsmen who opt to extend or re-enlist feel that the qualities of Guard life (e.g., the military way of life, the prestige of being in the Guard), and the opportunity for personal growth and development are important, and feel these needs are being satisfied by the Guard. Unhappiness with discipline and leadership in the Guard is not widespread. The current pay scale is not a problem area, and is not a deterrent to retention. Unhappiness with other benefits (e.g., retirement benefits, travel opportunities) is moderate, regardless of enlistment status, and these attitudes are similarly moderate influences on termination. The fact that 30% of all Guardsmen surveyed report receiving no counseling pertaining to re-enlisting or extending suggests this is a major problem area which needs attention by the Guard. The study also investigated the extent to which racial problems are perceived to exist in the Guard, and the frequency of human/race relations counseling.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA036728
Entities
People
- Alfred Goldman
- Stephen Schleifer