A preliminary analysis of the 1999 USMC retention survey

Abstract

An Internet-based survey was developed to identify factors that influence marines in their retention decisions. Questionnaire areas include: demographics and military background; satisfaction with specific aspects of military life and work; overall satisfaction; perceptions of civilian employment opportunities; intentions and expectations; and factors important to the desire to leave and the desire to stay in the USMC. Fielded between June and September, 1999, the survey yielded 10,934 usable responses for marines with 12 or fewer years of service. Respondents were separated into subgroups by officer/enlisted status, term of service (first term/careerist or junior/field grade officer) and gender. Factor analysis was used to construct composite variables from questions about the reasons contributing to the desire to leave and to stay in the USMC. Results of ranking mean scores on single and composite items indicate that the role of pay and civilian career opportunities is dominant at all pay grades as an influence to leave, and that the roles of other influences vary with officer/ enlisted status, term of service, and gender. Pride in the USMC and its organizational Values overwhelm other factors as reasons for staying for officers and are very important to career enlisted marines.