A Study of Enlisted Attrition in the United States Coast Guard
Abstract
Reports a survey of attitudes of 364 enlisted people whose enlistments expired between Apr and Oct 1984. Roughly half stayed in the CG (Coast Guard). Questions were asked to determine specific attitudes about a number of aspects of life in the CG; satisfaction, commitment to the missions and goals of the CG; investment (side bets); and compensation issues. The groups were further differentiated by performance level. (Adding the dimension of performance will allow CG decision and policy makers to target 'high-performers- who-plan-to-leave' with policies designed to appeal to this group). The most important issue to the respondents was the assignment process. Those who left were less satisfied with the assignment process in general, less satisfied with their potential future assignments (primarily the uncertainty, due to lack of a firm notion of what an 'enlisted career' is), and less satisfied with the degree of influence they have in the assignment process. Compensation issues were (relatively) less important, but investment in post-service benefits was seen as a major reason for staying. Recommendations for personnel policies are included, particularly in the area of 'increasing the perception of control over one's individual destiny'. Significant differences in the attitudes of 'high performers' and 'low performers' were noted. keywords: Attrition, Retention, Performance, Commitment, Assignment Policy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA155520
Entities
People
- Stephen B. Wehrenberg