Family Annualized Cost of Leaving: The Household as the Decision Unit in Military Retention
Abstract
This research supports the Army Family Action Plans (1984-1989) by developing a Family Annualized Cost of Leaving (ACOL) model that describes the costs and benefits associated with retention. Although approximately 55% of Army members are married and roughly half of the nonmember spouses work in the marketplace, models of Army reenlistment behavior such as the ACOL model have typically focused on individual members as decisionmakers. Focus on the individual service member omits important family factors affecting retention decisions. The family ACOL model explains more fully the costs and benefits associated with retention for married Army personnel. It provides a more precise estimate of the effects of traditional variables included in the retention equation and reduces the possibility of biased estimates on these traditional variables. This model will aid in policy formulation by providing a direct quantitative link between measurable factors affecting the family, particularly factors affecting family income through nonmember spouse employment, and the decision to remain in the Army. Keywords: Reenlistment; Family members; Army personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA224394
Entities
People
- Paul F. Hogan
Organizations
- RTI International