First -term enlisted male Marines' satisfaction with job characteristics: evidence from the 1999 USMC Web-Based Retention Survey

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to analyze the job satisfaction of first-term male enlisted Marines. Prior research has shown that job satisfaction is an important variable in the retention decisions of both military and civilian workers. Data were extracted from the 1999 USMC Retention Survey and matched with Marine Corps personnel master files. The sample was restricted to E-2 through E-4. Job satisfaction was investigated by separating the data set by occupational group. Results indicate that over one-third of the respondents are dissatisfied with their job, a majority feel they have to 'pick up the load' because the unit is understaffed, and over sixty percent feel their original expectations of the job have not been met. In the comparison of occupational groups, personnel in the combat arms community are significantly more dissatisfied with their job than the other four MOS communities. These findings can provide Marine Corps leaders with targeted information regarding occupational groups to use in improving job satisfaction and retention.