Beyond Military Service: An Analysis of United States Naval Academy Graduates' Civilian Career Experiences
Abstract
This thesis explores the civilian career experiences of United States Naval Academy (USNA) graduates who have left military service. The data are from a 2004 survey of USNA graduates from the classes of 1986 through 1996. The thesis analyzes the effect of human capital accumulated via the USNA education, via follow-on military experiences, and via career preparation on civilian salary and job satisfaction. Both the first salary after leaving the military service and the current salary are analyzed. Both salary models find that varsity athletes, honors graduates, submariners, and those who achieved higher military ranks earn more than their classmates. Military tenure increases civilian salary, but the effect diminishes after a certain point. Selective Reservists consistently earn lower civilian salaries. The write-in responses reveal that leadership, academics, time management, and other personal skills provide the most influential USNA experiences on current civilian jobs. While 84 percent describe themselves as satisfied, a satisfaction model is used to examine trade-offs between salary and satisfaction. Satisfaction is further examined by evaluating the effect of civilian accomplishments. The estimates find that Marines, Naval Aviators, and Trident Scholars are more likely to be dissatisfied than satisfied. Military tenure yields a tradeoff between wages and satisfaction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA439307
Entities
People
- Jeanette M. Bederman
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School