Causes of Student Attrition in US Naval Aviation Training: A Five Year Review from FY 2003 to FY 2007

Abstract

A review of self-reported causes of Naval Aviation student training attrition was conducted for the period FY 2003 to FY 2007. Data were aggregated from Naval Aerospace Medical Institute attrition reports published during the period under review. Drop on Request (DOR) was the single greatest self-reported administrative reason for attrition during this five-year period, accounting for 40% of attrition among survey respondents. Performance-related attrition was 37% of all attrition, with flight failure the most frequent cause in this category, at 24% of all attrition. Self-reported contributory factors were also examined. Survey response options related to anxiety and nervousness related to flying and to the flight program were among the most frequently endorsed contributing factors. Among other frequently endorsed factors were poor flight performance, loss/change of interest, and motion sickness. To reduce training attrition, recommendations are made for S&T investments in aviation personnel selection research to identify valid predictors of anxiety, fearfulness, task prioritization, motivation, and motion sickness susceptibility.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 28, 2008
Accession Number
ADA494839

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey B. Phillips
  • Richard D. Arnold

Organizations

  • Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accounting
  • Attrition
  • Aviation Personnel
  • Biomedical Research
  • Business Administration
  • Cost Estimates
  • Flight Training
  • Investments
  • Losses
  • Motion Sickness
  • Motivation
  • Naval Aviation
  • Personnel Selection
  • Pilots
  • Students
  • Training
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.

Technology Areas

  • Space