An Analysis of Factors Affecting the Retention Plans of Junior Male U.S. Army Officers: Evidence from the 1999 DoD Survey of Active Duty Personnel
Abstract
This thesis investigates the factors that influence the retention intentions of 680 junior male Army officers who are serving within their initial obligated service. To estimate the models, data for this thesis were drawn from responses to the 1999 DoD Survey of Active Duty Personnel. The survey includes data on retention intentions of service members. Past research has shown that a member's intention is a good predictor of retention behavior. Logistic regression analysis is used to identify demographic, tenure, economic, and cognitive characteristics that significantly affect the intention to stay or to quit the military and to assess their relative importance. The SAS software package is used to analyze the data. The model developed for this thesis is successful in identifying several factors influencing the retention intentions of junior male Army officers. Eight of the seventeen variables included in the model have a significant impact upon retention. Officers' decision to remain on active duty were significantly influenced by the demographic characteristics of family status and race; the tenure characteristics of military rank (03) and military life expectation; the economic characteristics of the probability of finding a good civilian job, and the cognitive characteristics of satisfaction with military intrinsic values, military career advancement opportunities, and military deployment and economic life. A quadrant analysis of the satisfaction variables used to indicate areas for improvement in order to raise the military's overall level of job satisfaction. High impact candidate areas for improvement were identified: workload, personal time, and enjoyment satisfaction. These are excellent candidates for immediate attention since they have a considerable impact on overall satisfaction with military life and have substantial room for improvement. Finally, this thesis recommends areas for further related research and future policy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA401680
Entities
People
- Umit Gencer
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School