Motivation and Retention in the U. S. Army

Abstract

It is the opinion of the authors of this study that the overall problem of retention of qualified personnel by the Army can be attributed to incomplete and inadequate career offerings as compared to civilian careers. Newly commissioned officers and newly trained enlisted specialists do not develop identification with the Army nor are they offered the opportunities and incentives required to elicit the deep career commitment characteristic of the professional soldier. The most critical loss of officer personnel is found among ROTC Graduates who leave active duty with the Army upon completion of obligated service. Of less importance though still a matter of concern is the attrition of senior officers through early voluntary retirement. High school graduates who possess the higher levels of capability essential for training to meet the critical requirements of the Army as career specialists at the enlisted level are available in sufficient quantity if adequate means of attraction are utilized. Attitude research studies, as used in industry as a management tool, can furnish much of the essential information required to detect and correct incipient retention problems in the Army.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1966
Accession Number
ADA079183

Entities

People

  • Aaron B. Nadel
  • Jay B. Mowbray

Organizations

  • General Electric

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Administrative Personnel
  • Attrition
  • Business Administration
  • Doctrine
  • Economic Analysis
  • Employment
  • Enlisted Personnel
  • Families (Human)
  • Law
  • Management Personnel
  • National Security
  • Officer Personnel
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Recreation
  • Students

Readers

  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Systems Analysis and Design