Predicting Attrition, Performance, Reenlistment, and Hospitalizations from the Smoking History of Women Prior to Entering the Navy
Abstract
This study of women sailors examined whether tobacco use prior to entering the Navy predicted subsequent career outcomes related to length of service, early attrition, misconduct, and hospitalizations over a possible 7-8 year follow-up. For almost 5,500 women entering the U.S. Navy between March 1996 - March 1997, who participated in Operation Stay Quit (OSQ) (USAMRMC Grant #DAMD17-95-1-5075), smoking history data were merged with personnel and medical data from the Career History Archival Medical and Personnel System (CHAMPS), a database maintained by the Naval Health Research Center, San Diego. A consistent pattern of results indicated that, compared to Never smokers, Daily smokers at entry into the Navy were subsequently more likely to have poorer outcomes on a wide variety of Navy career indicators (e.g., shorter-term enlistments, more early attrition, more less-than-honorable discharges, more misconduct discharges, more demotions and desertions, lower final paygrade, less likely recommended for reenlistment, and less likely to reenlist). The category of Other smokers (i.e., had smoked, but not daily at entry into the Navy) consistently fell between Never and Daily smokers on the career indicators. No consistent differences were found in the hospitalization data. Future research should evaluate the impact of smoking cessation intervention to help daily smokers become non-daily or former smokers prior to entering the Navy to determine whether this can improve subsequent career outcomes and help prevent or circumvent the high costs associated with lifestyle-related early attrition and poor job performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA452209
Entities
People
- Terry L. Conway
Organizations
- University of California, San Diego