Predictors of Retention Intentions Among Active Duty Service Members : Department of Defense , December 6 , 2022
Predictors of Retention Intentions Among Active Duty Service Members : Department of Defense , December 6 , 2022
From the abstract: “This survey note examines the relationship between reported retention intentions of active duty members and other critical factors that could affect Service members’ motivations to remain in the military. Prior research has found a link between member-reported retention intentions and actual retention behavior among military members using results from the annual Status of Forces surveys (SOFS). However, the key factors predicting member-reported retention intentions of active duty Service members have not yet been fully explored. Data collected from the 2014, September 2016, and 2017 Status of Forces Survey of Active Duty Members were used to analyze the relationship of certain factors hypothesized to have an effect on retention intentions and member-reported intentions. The direction and magnitude of these factors in predicting retention intentions were analyzed through the use of separate and full regression models, as well as dominance analyses for each of the survey administrations. The results of these analyses indicate that the three most important factors in predicting an individual’s intention to remain on active duty are spousal and familial support to stay on active duty, affective commitment to the military, and overall satisfaction with military way of life. These findings support the results of prior research on Reserve component members and the military as a whole, and may help provide insight needed to create policies that effectively maintain the necessary retention rates for a mission-ready force.”
Authors - Office of People AnalyticsRelated Resources
