Aviation Epidemiology Data Register: Gender-Specific Attrition From the Trained U.S. Army Aviator Cohort of 1988
Abstract
Women have been involved in U.S. Army aviation for more than two decades. Little has been written about the integration of women into this traditionally male occupation. One indicator of successful integration of women is their retention rate in aviation service. The aviation Epidemiology Data Register was queried to find out the attrition rate among trained U.S. Army male and female aviators from 1988 to 1992. Results: In the trained aviator cohort of 1988, male aviators were significantly older than female aviators (Mantel-Haenszel X2, P<0.001), whatever the component of service. The crude attrition rate for all age group was 55.4 percent (11847 of 21395) for males, compared to 54.1 percent (265 of 490) for females. Based on male attrition and after controlling for the age difference between male and female aviators, the observed attrition of females (265) exceeded the expected attrition (243) by 22 females (9.1 percent excess attrition). For the age groups 18 to 44 years old there was a significantly higher risk for attrition among female aviators (Mantel-Haenszel OR = 1.23, CI0.95 = 1.025,1.470). This increased attrition rate was found primarily in the age groups of 18 to 34 years old. The cause for the observed excess attrition of female Army aviators is unknown and requires further study of factors affecting retention in aviation service.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA284395
Entities
People
- Jennifer P. Harper
- Kevin T. Mason
- Samuel G. Shannon
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab