The Effect of the Diversity on First-Ship Assignment on First-Term Retention Decisions
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Authors
Arkes, Jeremy
Tick, Simona
Mehay, Steve
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2020-11-18
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This study uses a sample of Navy personnel data for personnel entering the Navy between FY1995 and FY2012 to examine how higher levels of diversity among peers and role models affect retention. To test for this effect, we estimated fixed-effects models that regressed the firstterm retention decision on the proportions of shipmates who were Black, Hispanic, and female. We found some cases of strong evidence that greater diversity positively affects retention for both underrepresented groups, as well as majority groups. In an accompanying qualitative analysis from interviews with first-term sailors on Navy ships, we learned that members of underrepresented groups, compared to others, tend to face greater obstacles resulting from institutional Navy rules, tend to have inferior experiences with mentors, have more communication challenges with peers and superiors, and feel like they have fewer opportunities in the Navy. Greater diversity among peers and superiors might be able to address some of these more challenging experiences.
Type
Technical Report
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
NPS-GSDM-20-004
Sponsors
21st Century Sailor Office (OPNAV, N17)
Funding
Format
82 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States Code, Section 105, it may not be copyrighted.