First-Tour Attrition: Implications for Policy and Research
Abstract
Current high levels of early personnel attrition are costly to the Army in terms of both recruiting and training requirements. This paper reviews state-of-the-art developments in research on attrition across the services. Past research has characterized the causes of attrition as within the individual who is discharged, in the nature of the organization's policies and practices, or different factors at different times during first enlistment. Consistent links have been found with individuals' characteristics, such as age and education, and with organizational policies. Future research should define and evaluate procedures for effective management of attrition. Specific research should be focused on areas where existing research seems to apply to policy. For example, attrition prediction tools may be applied to influence the Army's accession policies, or research findings may be utilized for developing training programs for line supervisors or may suggest ways of controlling attrition timing and tradeoffs during first enlistment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA100957
Entities
People
- Barry E. Goodstadt
- Nancy C. Yedlin